Long time, I see.

In reference to the post below, I still haven't seen the results.  It's been almost a year.  I still remember that day-- I curled up on the floor of my apartment and cried.  I should have remembered that science takes forever.  Not their fault, I understand that.  I just should have known to not count those chickens just yet.

Hello world! I don't post much for a few reasons but primarily because I grew tired of it.  Occasionally, like today, I'll decide the posting isn't sure a tough thing to do.  It's nice to be heard every so often.  I do have a second "blog" for my personal thoughts and feelings. Things that don't need to be shared with the world around me.

I also don't post as often because a lot has changed in 10 months (shocking, right??).  I moved home in June of 2012 and finished out college commuting back to my college town.  I also took a few classes from home and held an internship at a local gym for the final two quarters of college.  Then, on Nov. 17, 2012, I graduated college early by two quarters.  *high fives all around*  Backing that time-table up about a month, I also started a "big girl job" in mid-October.  After I graduated, I went on a graduation cruise with my mom, and began working full time (8-5, M-F) the Monday I came back from my cruise.  Very exciting, very busy.

I also shifted away from the blogging world with my new job because, like a fellow blogger (Unknown Cystic), I don't want to put my career in jeopardy just because of my health.  The internet is an incredible thing, but has the potential to ruin lives.

I also recently turned down the chance to be a local "face of CF" as a part of a really great fundraiser locally.  I've supported and attended the gala they host when I'm able to, but this would have made me the key speaker and face in the media.  I was all for it until I was employed.  I'm sorry, but I just can't.  I was a recent speaker with my mom on the Mother/Daughter Perspective of CF for local CF families hosted by my clinic.  It was a great event and we had fun doing it.  It's on YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, my work did a Harlem Shake video.  We're the first in our industry to do one and the other companies got called out by observers.  It was tons of fun.

Ironically, after noting that I would like to keep my job despite my genes, I'm home sick today.  It's the first full day I've taken off for feeling UGH.  Remember all that belly pain I've had since late elementary school? It still haunts me.  I actually had a recent colonoscopy to see what was wrong.  Verdict? "You have a normal colon. Nothing is wrong with you."  WRONG.  Just because we can't see or determine the problem does not mean nothing is wrong.  The highly respected doctor who performed the colonoscopy suggested it might be my diet.  I mentioned this to my CF doctor who scoffed.  "Doubtful."  Still back on square one, in pain and still "nothing wrong."

For the record, I cried before my colonoscopy many times.  Was I afraid? Was I in a lot of pain? No and no. I was HUNGRY.  I was waiting for them to put me to sleep and tears are running down my cheeks.  The nurses were great and worked to console me letting me know that there is nothing to fear and it will all be over soon.  I just looked at them through my teary eyes and said "I'm not afraid, I'm hungry.  I just really want to eat."  I'm not sure they quite knew what to do with me.

Think about it! I couldn't eat for 24 hours.  ME.  Or drink Dr. Pepper.  ME!! I had a lot of juices to choke down the solution to "clear me out."  I got so physically sick of sweet drinks that I started sucking on the cajun sweet pickles that my mom makes at Christmas time for some spice.  Sad, I know.

Recent doctor visit revealed that I would benefit from some IV antibiotics, but it wasn't an emergency.  I made a deal that she let me wait 6 weeks and be reevaluated because I was beginning playing soccer again and running once more.  I was making a serious effort to improve my cardiorespiratory health and I wanted to see if that would help before we made any decision to send me to the hospital.  I've been running every day since.

My running partner, aka the boyfriend, has been great.  When our work schedules allow us to run together, he meets me at the gym closest to me and we run.  He gives me the push to keep going without pushing me to a breaking point.  I've also lost several pounds over the last few months and he's declared that I'm going to eat as much as he does, if not more.  We'll see how that works out!

Speaking of the boyfriend, all is well in that department.  ("well" is the understatement of the century, actually.)  We're extremely happy and things just make sense.  It's nice when your best friend is also your boyfriend. :)

Speaking of friends, one of them (aka Emmons) is turning 21 in August and someone in her family got the great idea to have a serious celebration... IN VEGAS.  Come late August I will be flying out with her family for a 21st birthday party in Sin City.  I'm sure there's nothing that can go wrong.. haha!

Two of my other close friends are getting married in November.. on the same day... in different cities! Bummer! I'm very excited for them both and can't wait to celebrate with them!

On that note, I think that's all the updates I've got so far.  Well, I'm sure there are plenty more, but that's all I've got for today. One more reason I don't blog, before I forget: I spend all day at work at a computer.  I really don't want to get on my home computer once I leave.  It's just not appealing to me.

Ciao.

Back to the grind!

Y'all I'm so happy to be back. Actually, that's an understatement. To have my life back means the world to me. While I don't get to really participate in formal recruitment due to missing so much, it's ok because I have my friends and class and my freedom back!! My arm has almost completely healed already, however the blisters left scars and I have the usual "arm button" (like a belly button) from the actual line, which still has a little more healing to go. I'm feeling pretty good too. I'm a little tired from jumping right back into recruitment and school, but I'll have time to come up for air in a few days.

School looks like it's going to murder me this quarter, but I'm really not stressed about it. I really feel like I can handle anything. The summer quarter, flying by so quickly, taught me how to stay focused and work even when I'm really and truly tired of doing homework. That's what is going to get me through this quarter. I'm taking a full load (12 hours for a quarter system; that's 5 classes for me) and it will be chock full of busy work, homework, papers, and tests. But I can do this. That's not to say I won't have moments where I just cry into a kind shoulder about how much I hate school and how tired I am, but I can do this! I've already found that mentality of "school will never end, you have several years left, suck it up and go" so hey! What's another 3-5 years?....

Time to get a little homework done (yes, already) before recruitment this evening!

My "arm button"!

-Annie

I had a very frustrating night last night. At 6:45 Saturday morning, I awoke doing my absolute best to ignore "the cough." You know, the cough that means I'm coughing up copious amounts of blood. Maybe, in my delirious state, if I ignore it, it will go away. WRONG. But the real kicker in this situation is that I'm not home. I'm with family in Austin, TX, sleeping on a couch. Waking up scared, sick, and still drowsy, I'm not thinking straight. Not to mention I'm really nauseated from coughing so much/coughing up blood/swallowing more blood because I have no where to spit it out. I start an albuterol and realize that I am going to be sick. Luckily (I think) I wasn't, but and I finally finish my treatment and fall back asleep. However, the most frustrating thing about this situation is that I'm NOT on antibiotics, which in the past has been the only time this hemoptysis has occurred. And I took my Vit. K that day. So now I'm actually clueless as to the cause of this, and that scares me. Now I'm planning ahead though. Along with my nightly glass of water, I'm keeping an empty cup next to me in case this happens again tonight... I really hope not.

My doctor's appointment is in 3 days, and to be perfectly honest, I feel awful. Just terrible. I'm afraid I haven't improved enough to my doctor's satisfaction and I'll be sent to the Hole for the first time in almost 2.5 years. I've actually come to terms with it, really. Worst case, I'm right and I'm not shocked. Best case, I'm wrong and I'm thrilled I don't have to go!! My only real hope is that I'm testing out hypertonic saline for the first time at my appointment so maybe they'll let me slide again, but I think I've slide by long enough. Tuesday will be the test. Obviously, I'll let you know the results.

On a lighter note, I'm getting some good quality time with my family this weekend. I haven't seen this brother/fam since our May crawfish boil so it was long overdue. And my niece is growing so quickly!

OH! I'm done with summer school!!! I couldn't be happier to have two more classes out of the way. And with one of those classes came the idea of a different future career than originally planned, and it's worth looking into! I may be doing grad school instead of PT school! May. I don't know what the future holds yet, obviously, but I like having serious options. We shall see!

My family lately has spent a lot of time watching old home videos. I've been watching videos from when my oldest brother was crawling to when I was around 9 years old and everything in between! Birthdays, holidays, sports, and then just those fun times playing as siblings at the house. It really was fun seeing people/pets who have passed away that I miss dearly and watching the memories I don't have, or times when I wasn't even alive! It really has been fun watching these. Thank goodness for VHS-to-DVD converters!!

I guess I should call it a night here soon. I'll keep you updated on my doctor adventures on Tuesday.

-Andrea

This week

This week, my last week of school:
4 tests
4 quizzes
2 projects due
1 homework assignment of 40 problems
and only 2 classes.

Pray for me.

See you on the other side.

-A

Class in 30

Hi! I have class in 30 minutes but I have enough time to get a post in!

So right now my apartment is just me and one other roommate. We were suppose to have another girl move in on Monday, but she never showed. I guess we scared her off... lol

Summer school ends next Friday! Yay! Then my crucial doctor's appointment the following Tuesday. Cross your fingers people, this one is important.

I'm busy with getting ready for formal recruitment too, on top of school and health. I enjoy it though, so no complaints there. It's just busy! Lots to get done, not enough time it seems.

Going home this weekend for some family time! I can't wait. I love going back home to visit when I'm away.

I have a kines test tomorrow on muscles of the hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint and then a physics test on Friday on... I'm really not sure what the topic is even called. Stuff. Busy!! Lots of studying, at least 2 tests a week, this week has 3 for 2 classes. And a project due early next week!! Now do you see why I haven't been posting much?!

I got a new laptop!! I forgot to mention that! My old one was toying with me about kicking the bucket so we helped it along with a sale that came to Best Buy! I now have a nice speedy laptop that I love.

The boxer puppy is getting big and strong!! But I love having her around. It's nice to have some canine company.

Ok class in 23 minutes, but I want to do treatment too so adios!

-Andrea

Internet's Back!

So I haven't been writing for a few days but this time it wasn't my fault!! My apartment's internet was mysteriously down, but now it's back!!

So first things first: SIX FLAGS AND SHOPPING!!! Mom and I had an absolutely fantastic time. We arrived at Six Flags when the park opened at 10 with a game plan. Mom had pre-purchased a Flash Pass, and it was the best! You know how you wait and wait and wait in line forever and then just when you think you're about to go get on the rollercoaster, someone cuts completely in line? That was us. And it was awesome. We rode every rollercoaster at least once, all of them twice except for the new Texas Giant. We didn't have special access to it and the line was crazy long. But we rode it once and it was fantastic! They did a great job making it smoother! We rode my favorite ride The Titan twice. Love it love it love it. I could do that all day.

We left the park at 10 when it closed. We had a few hour break in the middle but we were there for about 10 hours. Crazy, I know! And even though I'm on an antibiotic that says "avoid prolonged exposure to the sun", I didn't burn. Side-effects don't ever seem to affect me!

The next day we went to Grape Vine Mills Mall and shopped from lunch to until about 4 or 4:30 before heading home. All in all, it was a great trip and I'd go again next weekend if I could!!

School is ok. I'm doing well and enjoying my kinesiology class, but my physics class is still hard for me. I have another test tomorrow (procrastinating by blogging!) and I should do better on that test.

Things are definitely better since getting back to Ruston even if most people aren't here. I'm still having something to do (school) and enjoying it. I'm also getting to spend a lot of time with my roommates and I'm really glad. I love their company.

*sigh* I guess its time to get back to studying. Time to get enthusiastic about physics!!!.... or try to.

-Annie

It's Tuesday!

Like my title? Ha I couldn't think of anything else to put.

So this year I'm in a new apartment with new girls and I love it. There are 4 of us and 2 dogs. Seriously, I'm thrilled. I'm a MAJOR dog person, it's insane. In a month, two of the girls will be leaving, along with one dog, and I'm sad to see them go. We've all been getting along great. I'm so glad that at least one dog will be staying though. I know when I'm away from home, I miss my dog sometimes more than anything else. I mean, she sleeps with me every night! But even though I don't get to bring McKenzy with me to college, I still get a boxer to play with! She's still a puppy so it's tons of fun. She's in that awkward "teenage" stage where she's not used to her legs yet and thinks she's smaller than she really is. I love playing with her, even when I have to pry my fingers from her mouth from time-to-time. She's precious and I'm overjoyed that she'll be here for at least a year with me!



I just got out of my physics class. I can already tell that it will be the class I will have to really study for. It's not exactly a thrilling subject and it's at 8am and my focus is on the nap I'd really like to be taking! I know I know, bad student, but oh well. I'm even doing a good job of going to bed at a decent time (10:30ish) to get enough sleep to get up at 6:30.

This morning however I woke up at 5:10 coughing up blood. Can I just tell you how annoying and slightly scary that still is to me? Even though I understand it now, it still freaks me out. So I got up and took another Vit. K (I took one the night before because I felt that bloody cough coming on) and did my morning albuterol. It stopped mostly. I ended up just sleeping until 7 that morning hoping to give my body a little more rest. I think it worked. I'm not feeling fantastic and I'm a little wary because my lungs feel so fragile right now, but I'm still getting everything done that needs to be done. I'm going!

I have 152.4 hours on this Vest. To quote CFFatboy today, "Unbelievable to think of all that time we have to spend doing things others can't comprehend." Preach it! Dear "normal" people, can you imagine yourself in an inflatable vest being shaken for 20, 30, 60 minutes at a time every day? Being tethered to one spot for a lengthy amount of time? You can't write while doing the Vest, so homework is out. You kinda need headphones to hear anything while doing the Vest (plus the air compressor for treatments) but ear buds tickle while you're shaken. Don't eat or drink (that's really funny to try though). Don't forget, this is EVERY DAY! Crazy, huh? My friends have told my for years "I couldn't do what you do." Yes, if you had to and you knew nothing different, you could. But I see what they mean. They can't even comprehend having to be so constantly aware of their health status and planning a day with chunks of time set aside for treatments because it's not second nature to them like it is to me and my fellow CFers. Just a thought.

In case you live under a rock, the final Harry Potter movie comes out this Friday. Excited doesn't even begin to describe me. I literally get goosebumps every time I see a preview for it. I don't do midnight showings, or really crowded movies at all, but I'll go see this one early in the runnings. I'm stoked.

I'm also excited about that Dallas trip this weekend too with mama dearest. It really will be fun!

Oh I did some reading during my time of nothingness. I had mentioned reading the 7th Harry Potter book again, but I also read a few other books, such as To Kill a Mockingbird. I love that book. I went to B&N and bought Schindler's List. It's a hard read, but so far good. I'm having to put it on hold though with the fast pace of my summer classes. I'll have some time between summer classes and fall classes, so maybe I'll read some more then.

I guess I'm now just getting out all of my thoughts I had kept bottled up during the time I was "uninspired" to write. Enjoy!

-A

Summer. Finally.

The quarter from hell is over. I literally have had the worst quarter so far. It could have been worse, yes, but man this quarter was rough. However, despite all that happened, I still ended with a good GPA!

Enough about the past quarter, it's time to move on. It's time for... SUMMER!!! So far, my summer has been pretty chill, which is how I like it. There has been a lot of Harry Potter Weekend watching. My latest project is going through all the stuff I brought home and trying to weave it back into all the stuff I had left at home and make it all fit. I did clothes first and I have a VERY large stack of clothing/shoes that is going to Goodwill. This is quite a project, but I've got several days to get it done. I also have a scholarship application due soon that I need to get a move on doing. And then come July, I move back to Ruston! So little time! The last thing I want to happen is by the end of June, I finally have my stuff unpacked and situated for living at home, and then I have to turn around and pack it all up again for my new apartment! That would happen to me, lol.

I ordered some CF Silly Bandz recently and they arrived!! I'm so excited! Hear me out, I've *never* had the desire to wear Silly Bandz before in my life. Never. Just never felt the urge to buy a pack to wear or see what the shapes are. But then one day I found the CF Silly Bandz and that was the day I decided I wanted to wear Silly Bandz, but only these. Check them out:
CF Silly Bandz

They compliment my CF Awareness Band from Fatboy quite nicely. My right arm is all "Cure CF"ed out.

Me? I'm doing well. Excited about the future and what it may hold. It's a good day.


-Annie

Benefit of having CF

So of course the most obvious main benefit of the common CF patient is the ability to eat whatever and not be the size of a house. My body and I decided to take full benefit of that "gift" from CF and I eat WHATEVER I want at any hour, and fight to put on the pounds. However, that "gift" sits at the top of my list tied with another: my abs.

I have mentioned this before, but it becomes ever more obvious during swimsuit season and since I've been coughing more lately. My abs and my back are ripped and I love it. If I'm wearing just a sports bra and some sweat pants, I look like I should be in a work-out video as the trainer. Y'all, I'm PROUD of my body. Ask 100 other 20 year old girls that and see if you can ever get that answer again. Having CF has definitely gifted me with a strong and healthy-looking core body that I'm proud of.

Also, school ends WEDNESDAY then I'm home for until the start of July. Then back to school.

See you on the other side of finals!
-Andrea

The Vest: Friend or Foe?

There are days when I finish the Vest and I want to give it a hug or a high five (if it had hands, of course). There are other days where the "minutes left" section seems to almost go backwards. Today is one of those days. I've had to stop it multiple times because my coughing is so extreme, I'm about to bring up the fantastic dinner I had. That, my friends, is a MISERABLE feeling. And I ate 2 hours ago. This was not a "somebody didn't wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming!" situation. This is just a "my Vest hates me" kinda day. Happens. Doesn't mean I shouldn't still use it. It just means today, I won't be smiling afterwards because I feel better, but more likely because I'm done! (2 more minutes.... almost there....)

Two weeks from today, so on May 18, I will be DONE with my sophomore year of college. :) But with every silver lining, there is a dark side: some of my best friends are graduating and moving away. :( Luckily, Skype exists so we can still help each other with what to wear when going out!!

(DONE WITH THE VEST FOR TONIGHT!!!!!)

So with summer so close, it just means finals are even closer. Oh boy. I can't wait. lol

Hope all is well with you. Have a fantastic day!
-Annie

Health update + family time

My doctor's appointment was on Tuesday and my sinus infection was dying down, but I was still concerned. However, my numbers were, even to the hundreth (0.01) decimal place, the EXACT same as in January!!! That's huge! I'm thrilled. My doctor and I looked over my PFTs for the last 4 years, and I have been between 60%-80% and overall very consistent. She is thrilled with my overall health over the last several years (really, my whole life) and how even with so many changes (ending soccer, going to college away from home, growing up, etc.) I've stayed healthy and consistent! I've got CF on lockdown, yall.
I did lose a pound, but we contributed it to my antibiotic which has seriously curbed my appetite lately. They're not worried about it.

I went home for Easter break and have enjoyed all of my family time! I've hung out with Carter and the newest edition to our family, my cousin baby Louis! We've dyed eggs, Carter had an Easter egg hunt, and played a fun game knowns as "Laugh Your Face Off." (Anjea, it has to do with words/drawings similar to pictionary and you have be banned from playing it with us!! lol just kidding)

Only 4 more weeks of school, then SUMMER! I cannot wait. I don't think I'm ready to move home, I like living away actually (oops, mom don't read that!), but I'm definitely ready for a break. I'm taking summer school in July and moving into my new off-campus apartment on July 1st. I think a month at home will be nice. I'm doing a little bit of travelling during June too, (New Orleans, California, etc.) so it won't be just a month of being home, bored.

Oh, more family time! Just got invited to play some cards, one of my favourite family activities. Probably a wild game of "I Hate This Game" is about to break out. Always fun! :)

Have a nice Easter everyone!
-Annie

Sick-- first time in forever

I was so excited because I made it through all of winter without getting sick! I knew it had to return sooner or later.

I started a 2 week round of oral antibiotics with a refill if I'm still not feeling better. I'm also already scheduled to go to clinic in 1 week, so pretty good timing there, Mr. Sinus Infection!

However, it has left me pretty drained, making my 8am classes 4-days a week kinda difficult. I'm doing the best I can!

Life has been full lately which is why the blog has, yet again, been put on the back-burner. Sorry 'bout that.

And I hate to call it a day this early, but I've got some studying to do. Just keeping the world updated on my life!

More updates after clinic at least!
-Annie

Running against my will!

I decided to be a good cyster and take a workout class to make sure I get some fitness in, despite my lack of will-power. I joined the Aerobic Dance & Conditioning class at 8 every Tues/Thurs morning. So far, it has showed me just how out of shape I have gotten since high school!! The first real day of class, last Thursday, we did circuit training with push-ups, crunches, running, and a few other things. It hurt, but it felt great! Tuesday, we ran a 1.5 mile run. We will do it again at the end of the quarter to see how we improved. I ran it in 15:35, so roughly a 10 min. mile. Works for me!! I thought that it was pretty good for being out of shape, so I can't wait to see what I can do in 10 more weeks.

-Andrea

Fear can sometimes be encouragement

The title of this post says it all. I have a twitter follower request from a 24 year old woman waiting on her new lungs. Cystic Gal got her lungs right around age 30. The boy JM I've mentioned before got his lungs in December. Even Grey's Anatomy today was about a CF patient getting his new lungs! I read Facebook posts, blog posts, tweets, and news articles about people getting new lungs. I even cut open a sheep's lung the other day in my Anatomy & Physiology II lab. Lungs lung lungs. I like mine. I'd like to keep mine. I hope to never have to give them up.

My good results from Cayston at the last check up gave me hope. If I stick with Cayston, Albuterol, Pulmozyme, and the Vest, plus my cardio I'm adding next quarter...well, let's keep these air bags healthy!! Sound like a plan?

At my last appointment, I spoke with JM's mom. She spoke about his year prior to his transplant. It was a very tough year for him, brought on mostly by his own personal life choices that had finally all caught up with him. She asked me a question that never in my wildest dreams would someone ask me at this point in my life: "Have you ever had to be on a ventilator?" The look of shock on my face was clear. Of course not. I'm 20, healthy, and living my life. Why on earth would I be vented? Well JM had and his mom described it as one of the most terrifying things.

Hello, motivation.

While my doctor's have never even whispered the word "transplant" to me, and my PFTs are too high to even think about it, it sure has been on the front of my mind a lot. I'm actually kinda bullied into being on top of my treatments by the overwhelming amount of transplant talk. Is that a good thing? Maybe. The result of the lingering topic is good, but being scared into good health isn't. I'm hoping that I can alter my own attitude from being afraid to being proactive. Either way, I plan on keeping these lungs forever by taking care of them and staying in shape.

I once told my friend, crying, that if I was ever excited about being on a TX list that she needed to snap me back into reality. While it may be an exciting time for many people, and congrats to them, it is some place I hope to never be.

I apologize if some of you find my last statement offensive. It is not meant to degrade anyone, but simply voice my personal feelings about the situation in regards to myself.

On a lighter note, I'm done with Winter Quarter! I get a short break, then back for 2 days, then off for MARDI GRAS! Sophomore year is flying by. WEIRD.

Sorry for being MIA lately. I really had to buckle down and focus all free time on school. You even missed a leg injury that I really thought was a fractured bone!! 2 weeks later (today), it still hurts to the touch and sometimes even to walk. So maybe I did do something to it. Regardless, I'm a quick healer and was walking normally by the next day.

That's all for now. Hope to be back posting more often now that I'm done with finals!

-Annie

My Anatomy & Physiology II lab experience

Hey!

Sorry I haven't been posting too much lately. There really hasn't been much going on in my life, CF or otherwise. The lack of things to report in the CF world is a GOOD THING! I haven't been feeling 100%, but I can overlook that most of the time, especially with my good reports from the doctor!

Oh! I can tell you what happened yesterday in class! On Tuesdays, this quarter, all I have is my 8am Anatomy and Physiology lab II. We do things like dissect fetal pigs, look at cool slides on a microscope, and prick our fingers to test our own blood! I was really nervous about this, despite the numerous times I've had my finger pricked for CBCs. This would be the first time I've ever had to do it to myself. We were given the option of leaving the class if we thought we might pass out at the sight of blood or needles. While it crossed my mind to leave, I had one goal on my mind: learn my blood type. So I opted to stay and somehow get up the nerve to prick my own finger.

They provided us one of those spring-loaded needles that nurses use, which helped tremendously, but I still spent waaaay too long wiping my finger with an alcohol wipe and "milking" it prior to sticking it. It finally took my lab partner to say we were doing this together on the count of three, ready or not! "ONE.... TWO... are you ready...." "NO!!!" "Ok... THREE!!" *prick*

OWWWW. Please, pancreas, never give up completely. I really don't believe I can handle checking my blood sugar regularly. Despite the tiny prick, it HURT!

At first, nothing came out. I begged my finger to start bleeding so I wouldn't have to do this again. Then suddenly, it just started to gush out. I placed the drops on the test paper, more drops in a capillary tube, and a smear on a white paper. Done. Now I had a new problem: I can't get my finger to stop bleeding! The only thing I had to nearby to use to put pressure on it was an alcohol wipe and it hurt! After it was all said and done, I learned that I'm not anemic, I'm O+, and my hematocrit level is normal for an adult woman. Sweet! Except my finger has just now stopped hurting. It was bruised! I'm not fit to be a nurse. lol

Coming soon, the interview with Fatboy and his wife Beautiful!

-Andrea

Back in the swing of things

Classes started back up today, hello Winter Quarter. You're going to be just as difficult as fall quarter, if not more so. I enjoyed my first day of classes though. My physics professor is Russian, but after about 5 minutes, I adjusted to his accent and understood most of what he said. Walking back into my anatomy class was same ol' same ol'. Same people, same seat, same professor, same classroom, etc. The difference is the attitude my group of friends is taking about this class. We all made the same grade and plan to all make a better grade this quarter!!

I did some decorating in my room today! I hung up 2 collages of pictures, some curtains across my closet opening, and got a little more organized. Having guests in the morning... ;]

I have a cold! No!! It takes me awhile to fall asleep at night due to the coughing, but at least it's very sound sleep. I took a nap today that was supposed to be 30 minutes and turned into 4 hours. Whoops. I needed the sleep though. I just picked up some Dimetapp Nightime cold & congestion hoping that it helps me get to sleep easier and some Advil for my throat. I have also had NO Dr. Pepper in 2 days now. I've been drinking only water and sweat tea (mostly water) hoping it helps my throat/vocal chords. Trying not to talk too much either.

Dear Cayston users, consider joining the ShAIR network! It's easy, it's free, and it helps the CF community! Shoot an email to this address ( info@shairnetwork.com) or call (1-877-742-4770) and they will send you a simple form. Fill it out, fax/mail it back, and they will set up a phone interview. I really enjoyed my phone interview. If you want anymore information on the ShAIR network, email me or email the address I just gave you or call their number! Do it!

Off to wash dishes.. or eat more. Or both. We'll see. :]

Happy December!

-Andrea

Greetings, from the other side of finals week

The quarter is over and break has begun... THANK GOODNESS. That was a rough quarter, to say the least. But it's over now and it's time to relax for a while, eat lots of good food, spend time with family and friends, and then, once again, start thinking about Winter Quarter.

Health update!

I've still been coughing a good bit (I think it's related to my wacky schedule during finals week) but NO BLOOD!! I can't even tell you how excited this makes me. I still check each time I have a coughing fit, just to be sure, but so far nothing. Yay!

On the other hand, my gut it furious at me. This happens from time-to-time and is where most of my CF problems have occurred. It will pass in due time. Amusingly enough, when my colon makes really funny noises, it freaks my dog out because she doesn't know where the sounds are coming from. Hee hee

Speaking of my puppy, she's been very, VERY clingy lately (I'm talking thunderstorm clingy) and I think it's because she's afraid I'll leave again. The last few times I've been home during college, I've either not stayed the night or only stayed about 24 hours. Not long enough for my dog to be happy with it apparently. She's been enjoyed curling up in my bed with me, I can tell. She's there now waiting on me. Well, she's already napped on my stomach, curled in my knees, and on my feet keeping them warm during the day. Clingy clingy. But I love it. :]

Time to rest up for a Saturday or relaxation. Doing nothing is hard sometimes! Ahh, the joys of break!

-Annie

To celebrate the week of thanksgiving, look for my upcoming post on things I'm thankful for!

3 Finals down + pictures from the weekend

I just breathed a HUGE sigh of relief after those first 3 finals jam-packed into today. Even though I still have 2 really hard tests left (one Tuesday, one Wednesday), I feel so much better now that those first 3 are behind me!! I felt it was time for a post!

Teaser: some exciting news with Gilead Sciences (makers of Cayston) and some of their partners and me are underway, but no details until later! Just get excited, because I am!!

As of late, I've been devoting almost every free moment to studying for all of these tests. It's been really difficult, but somehow I've managed. My treatment schedule was really off though. For example, I normally do the Vest at night, but I'm doing last night's Vest right now, and will another evening one before I leave to go study. It's crazy, but it's only for a few days. Then HOME HOME HOME AGAIN!! I can't wait, seriously. I just want to pack up and drive home now. If only I didn't have those 2 more tests....

I went home this past weekend for about 24 hours to spend time with my brother/sis-in-law/niece/huskies from Austin, TX, and my in-town family who all gathered for my nephew's 1st birthday party!! Has it really been a year already?! Wow.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Look who showed up! It's me and the boyfriend.
My two brothers with their kids!
Precious, precious niece. I think they look so much alike in this picture.

Such a sweet moment; a mother and her child.
She was so tired!! This picture is just too cute, I had to post it.

And last, but not least, the birthday boy and his mama!!!

Hunger has taken over anything else I can think to type about. Time for food!

-Andrea

MIA-- sorry!

Long story short:

Next Monday, I have 4 tests. 3 finals and a make up exam.

Next Tuesday, I have 1 final, a lab final, which is harder than the final in the class.

I have been MIA due to studying and this will continue until quarter break (after I finish my last final).

Otherwise, here is a quick announcement for those of you using Cayston, requested by some folks who work with Gilead:

DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR ALTERA PIECES!!!! Save and reuse.

Also, SAVE YOUR EXTRA SALINE FROM THE CAYSTON DOSE! You never know when you might need them later.

I will make this announcement later too, just to make sure it gets across.

Signing out for another week; thank you college.

-Andrea

I haven't forgotten...

So my lull in blogging is due to getting the stomach bug right after the Great Strides walk, going to the local Urgent Care clinic to get a phenergan shot, and a topical prescription, and then trying to make up important school things (like my English midterm!) on top of Homecoming week this week and preparing for big sis/lil sis week next week!!

The race was a huge success, as I mentioned before in my last post. I really appreciated everyone who came out to support me (including Alissa who drove several hours to get there!) and the amount of money that was raised was incredible. I'm still floored. $29,000. Wow. Just... wow.

Nothing else to really report on right now I guess. I've been given another incredible opportunity to tell more people about CF, but I won't actually tell about it until after the fact. Hee hee. :]

My birthday is coming up! I'll be 20!

Umm... other than that, I can't really think of anything to report. I'm back on Cayston, I'm on bactrum because I had a cold (prevent a second infection), and otherwise feeling much, MUCH, better than I had been over the last week or two.

Ok, I'm starving. Time to EAT!

-Annie