Weekly update

Not too much going on here. I just finished my monthly maintenance antibiotic. So as of now, I am antibiotic free accept for the azithromycin that I take 3 times a week. I am starting to get the low grade fevers in the morning and I have a flutter in my left lung that is making me cough. I am giving myself until Tuesday to make a decision about IVs. I go to see my CF doc that day.

This weekend I am suppose to go to the Patriots game with some friends. Unfortunately, they are calling for rain. They are reporting a 30% chance of rain and say "few showers". Do I want to risk sitting in the rain for 4 hours and get soaked? But then I think, this is probably a once in a life time opportunity for me. I really want to go. What do you think?

Tomorrow, I go to a recognition lunch at the College. I have worked there for 10 years. Since I work from home 98% of the time, I am excited to see all my co-workers. I am a little gun shy about going to campus with all the Flues going around but I will just use a lot of purel, keep a mask with me, and keep a 3 foot rule with anyone that is not feeling well. Good news is I already got my flu shot. I just need the H1N1 shot. Hopefully that will be available soon.

Saturday, I plan to go to dinner with my friends Andrea and Shawn. Sunday, I am hoping to go to the game. I think it is worth the risk. What's 30%? I will wear rain gear and bring a change of clothes for the ride home. It is suppose to be warm so at least I don't need to worry about the temperature.

Well, I better get back to work.

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.

I had an interesting talk with one of my close friends last night. It was about the past. She brought up some events that happened in the past and wondered if she would of done things differently. I reminded her of this quote "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today" that I had posted on facebook a few days earlier. After I hung up, I realized how we both interpreted the same events in the past in 2 different ways. Dear friend from this conversation, if you read this call me and I'll tell you what I mean.

I have to remind myself of this quote often. My entire life, I made 110% effort in my health and now everyday I am reminded that my lungs are crap. I think we can always look back and regret some decisions that we made but we can't change it so why waste time being upset about them.

What I have done in the past when I have a regret is ask myself "how can I change my life now to make the situation better." For example, in high school this same friend and I grew apart. Though we were always in each others life the amount of time we spent talking and seeing each other diminished. We both went to different colleges, made new friends and I moved to a different town. I felt really bad about where this relationship went. We were not just best friends, I considered her my third sister. She had always loved me even when I spit on her pillow. So a few years ago, I realized I needed that relationship back. She was one of the first people I opened up to about my feelings of needing a transplant. Yes, we don't see each other nearly as often I would like but we talk several times a day either by phone or instant messaging. I realized that maybe I didn't put enough effort into our relationship back in high school and college so I am trying to make up for. Though, we both have our quirks, we have both accepted each other for who we are.

The interesting thing in a friendship is what one person thinks is a fault, the other may find it an asset.

So the moral of this blog is...I couldn't change the past but I hope I learned from it so I can make a better future.

So what regret are you going to learn from today?

Not much going on

Life has been pretty uneventful. I guess that can be a good thing. Health wise I feel good. I start my maintenance antibiotic tonight. Yes, the dreaded Bactrim. So I get 2 week of hellish side effects. Things have been very stable. No major fevers, coughing spells or episodes of being out of breath. I haven't really needed to use my oxygen. I have been using it only when I have been walking for exercise. The stuff I am coughing up looks pretty good for a CFer.

I have been keeping busy by going to my niece's soccer games. I love soccer. It is so much fun to watch Kassie. Every game she is getting a little bit better. She is 10 and this is her first year playing. Watching her makes me miss my healthy lungs. I want to be out there on the field with her. I have been doing different soccer drills with her with my oxygen on. I think I am going to do a 2 on 2 game tomorrow with her. That should be interesting.

Last weekend was filled with family. My mom came down and spent the night Friday. On Saturday, I went to Kassie's game, then of to my nephew Trey's birthday party and to end the night we met my Brother in law, Troy and his family for dinner. Sunday, I took the day to relax.

This weekend will be more of the same. Kassie's game and then I am meeting my cousin, Angela for lunch. I can't wait. I only saw her briefly back in January at one of my benefits. We have been trying to get together since.

Yesterday, I went to have a filling done that I needed fixed before my transplant. I was so nervous. Once it was done, I couldn't figure out why I had myself so worked up. It was nothing. So I made an appointment for a crown that I also need. I have been putting it off for years. The tooth is holding together but with my luck it will crumble during my transplant.

Like I said nothing too exciting here but figured I would just update everyone that all is well with me.

Thankful Tuesday

While I was taking a bath this morning, I started thinking about how thankful I was for the Internet. It has brought me so many CF friends, it has helped me keep in contact with friends and family and it has reconnected me to a lot of friends that I lost touch with.

I am thankful that the sun is shining today and there is no humidity. It is a good breathing day.

I am thankful for baths. I just love taking a bath.

I am thankful for my dogs as they always find a way everyday to make me laugh or smile.

I am thankful for a great husband. I didn't feel like cooking last night because I had a low-grade fever so he made me a chicken sandwich. Unfortunately, I woke up in the middle of the might because the sandwich did not agree with me. When I got back in bed, he asked me if I was okay. that made my night. I know it was the chicken sandwich because the same thing happened to me Saturday night after eating one.

I am thankful for the Lifetime channel. It always gives me that good cry when I need it or it helps me pass the time when I am home alone with nothing to do.

I am thankful for candy...Enough said.

I am thankful for coffee or any other caffeinated beverage.

I like to do these types of posts every now and then so we can all remind ourselves of the goods things in life.

Swine Flu

Here is some information I stole from Love to Breathe blog. (I hope you don't mind) I thought it was a very informative article. Many CFers and transplant recipients need to be cautious of the swine flu because it can effect them differently than the normally population. So please cover you mouth when you cough and wash your hands.

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It's also spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000.


This summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the U.S., refusing to fade away as flu viruses usually do. And health officials predict a surge of cases this fall, perhaps very soon as schools reopen.


A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30 percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.


So how worried should you be and how do you prepare? The Associated Press has tried to boil down the mass of information into 10 things you should know to be flu-savvy.

1. No cause for panic.
   So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu.
   During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.
   Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer — a time of year the flu usually goes away.
   
2. Virus tougher on some.
   Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu.
   Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.
   
3. Wash your hands often and long.
   Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
   
4. Get the kids vaccinated.
   These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially if vaccine supplies are limited — people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers.
   Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.
5. Get your shots early.
   Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible.
   Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.
   
6. Immunity takes awhile.
   Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity until around Thanksgiving.
   That's because it's likely to take two shots, given three weeks apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.
   The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that shot.
   
7. Vaccines are being tested.
   Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure.
   The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.
   
8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.
   If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious.
   Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
   
9. What if you get sick?
   If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start.
   If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.
   Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into your elbow or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achenes and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them.
   
10. No swine flu from barbecue.
    You can't catch swine flu from pork — or poultry either (even though it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.
    Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
    ___
    On the Net:
    CDC swine flu basics: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm