Another clinic another vaccine

Another clinic today. Lung function is stable, 24% (0.77L) Saturation was quite good, but that's up and down between 92-95% on the 1L of oxygen. Aside from that I was there mostly for my vaccines. I got my second TwinRex, and my final chicken pox. So, all I have is my final TwinRex in 2 weeks, and wait a month from today, and I can be listed. Meaning the listing should happen on or around July 28th. Getting closer. We also arranged that I will be desensitized to Mero on July 6th, so that I don't have to do it when Scarlett arrives. Right now I am on an IV antibiotic that has officially run out, world wide, so they have to switch me. My hospital has a supply for about another month, and then that's it. Scary isn't it? Thank goodness that I can use another one. It does mean 2 days in the hospital, and that's why I want to do it as soon as possible, as to not miss Scarlett time.

On another much better and much worthier note, our little Scarlett will be here in 3 weeks exactly. 3 weeks from today. 21 days.

I was thinking about her today, what kind of a world she's going to be born into. What a world, what a time. A world that has a African American President. A world that is developing at an incredible rate. New technologies, new medicine, new knowledge. And though I have heard people say that they would not want to bring children into this world right now, I disagree. There are always problems. Always things to fix and make better. There is always suffering, and hunger, and war. But there is also progress, and think about the progress that humanity is making and I think it's bigger than the pessimism that it breeds.

Scarlett will come into the world and be exposed to such amazing things, and that's progress. She will think that anyone really can be president, that's just not something we say, it's something that is. She will come into a world that is starting to take responsibility for the environment, especially since her own daddy is doing such great things to change how we view energy and sustainability. Scarlett will be free as a woman to go to school, to be anything that she wants to be. She will be free to marry whom she wants, and practice and believe what she wants. How can that not be progress? Why would anyone not want a child to experience all that this world has become? It may not be perfect, nothing ever is, but her generation will do even more than the ones before her. I can't wait to see what she does.

It amazes me that she will be born when Michael Jackson will be only someone that once lived, and once created great music! I find that hard to believe. I guess that's the continuation of life, people are born, people live, and people die. I cannot believe that my daughter is about to be born. What a trip. Her long and wonderful life is about to begin, and I am privileged enough to be her mom, and Martin her dad. It's just the coolest thing I could ever imagine. Perhaps somewhere in the same league as being near death and getting someone elses lungs to not only save your life, but also allow you to continue the joys that you would have never otherwise been able to enjoy. Both miracles, and both I am thankful for.

21 days.

24 days to go....

Today we did tons of chores. tons tons tons.

I washed all of Scarlett's clothes, and it was such a sweet experience. Little tiny things, that now smell like lovely Ivory. Ahhhh.....

Aside from that, Martin and my parents did tons outside today. We cannot wait to re-do the back yard next year. The plan was to do it sooner, but does to all that's going on, and the scope of the project (we have a large city yard and a corner lot) we have decided to start in the Spring. Hopefully by then tx will be over, and all will be settled down. I can't wait. It will be a fabulous yard once it's done. We have 1 garage right now, but we want to tear that down and build a beautiful new double garage. We will be getting another car soon, and want to make sure we don't have trouble parking. After that, we're looking at tearing everything down, fence, patio, landscaping, all of it, and start fresh. Stone work, patio, modern city fencing. I can't wait. But it is a large project. Larger than we think, since it is a corner lot and our garage is at the back....anyhow it's complicated. But I cannot wait to have it done. We're hoping Spring 2009. =)

Below is a pic. On the left in the garage, that will soon be a double. Our yard in an 'L' shape, so it goes far left, that's not seen in this pic. I will for sure post some pics once it's all done, but that will be in about a years time.

(The back yard 2008)

So that's that. Weekend full of chores and really nice weather....

26 days and counting

Lots to do.

Feeling pretty good, and hopefully will remain so for Scarlett's arrival.
Now getting all the small things done. I have a list of things that I want to finish up before baby arrives and there is no time for anything else. I keep adding to the list, and hope that I can get all these things done. With some help, I am sure it's going to get smaller, that list.

26 days, it's hard to believe. It feels like years ago. All those choices, the drugs, the IVF. Crazy. Can't believe we have come this far, and on top of it all, I'm going to be listed for tx very soon.

Thinking of Amy who has had her new lungs now for about a week. Hear things are going well for her. Can there be better news when you're about to be listed?

26 days.

Great day!!

Today was a great day. It was really busy, and I thought it would be crazy, but it ended up being perfect.

First I met Beth and we went down to Mt.Sinai to have our final appointment here in Toronto. It went great, and we booked the induction date, July 21st!! Very exciting. Everything looks great, and Beth looked so amazing. I was able to spend some time touching the belly, and since it was really the first time I've been able to do that, it was really nice. Every other time Beth was still not showing as much, or I was sick, and there was the time of the baby shower, but that was such a crazy busy time that I never got my fix!! But today we had some time in the waiting room, and it was really nice. We had fun!!

After that appointment (in fact only 1 hour apart) I had my CF clinic. Since the hospitals are close by, it was not that hard. Clinic was great. My lung function is the same, everything seems the same. I continue on the IV's.

The doctor today confirmed that I will be listed as Status 2. Which is great. It's the more urgent status, and I feel much more comfortable with that. Which means those lungs will come faster, and I will wait much less time. The other piece of good news, was that my friend Amy got her lungs last week!! I didn't even know, but this is so exciting. Amy was quite sick and ready for those lungs. She has a new born at home (that she gave birth to in February) and as a result got very sick immediately after giving birth. Her decline in heath was sudden, and I was worried about her. Well, I need not worry any more. I am so happy!! The other good news is that Amy is the same rare blood type as me. And by her being transplanted before I am even listed, means that I may very well be the highest priority on the list with my blood type. Which is awesome. I remember Amy and I talking about it, and we both agreed that she was more sick and would have to go first. (not that it was up to us, but it was obvious that 's the way it would go).

So, good news all around. I wish Amy a quick recovery, so that she can take care of her little man who's waiting at home for her with her husband. I am thrilled that we have decided on such a special date for Beth's induction. A month after my birthday. I am so happy that Beth is doing so well, and that Scarlett is in the right position, ready to come home to us. Well, almost ready!!

Just a great day. The countdown is on.

28 days until Induction.

My 30th Birthday

Yesterday was an amazing day. Just great. We had so much fun as a family. The weather was perfect (really hot but it was the first day of summer after all!!) and sunny and the 6 of us really had a lot of fun together.

Martin and I had a great weekend, and I felt like we started our weekend really early. Friday we went out with friends for Indian (as per my previous post) and Saturday we went to a beautiful new plaza at Lawrence east and Leslie. It was rainy, but we had fun. Martin needed some new clothes, so we went to Tommy and I sat in their big leather chairs and helped Martin pick out some things. I of course picked out a few things for myself.....it's so hard not to!! Anyhow, it was fun. We had a great night, rented a few movies. It felt like the good old days, with only a few small adjustments.

Sunday we all met at our house, and then went to our club for an early dinner. Angie and John, my mom and dad, and Martin and I sat on the patio under a huge umbrella and we had the nicest time. I opened some gifts, and was very spoiled. My husband especially outdid himself...he's the best!! It was exactly how I would have loved my 30th birthday to be. I even felt good enough to remove my oxygen while sitting at the table. It was great.

Below are some pictures.

(getting ready for dinner on the Granite patio)

(everyone at dinner, Martin's taking the picture!! good work!)

(My brother John and sister in law Angie, cute!!)

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes! It was the best one yet!

The first 30 years, and the next 30 years...

For the past 30 years.....

I have done approximately 21,900 nebulized Tobra/Ventolin masks
3,650 Pulmozyme masks
swallowed about 317,550 enzymes
and 52,925 other pills
inhaled 7300 puffs of my various puffers
endured about 30,660 insulin injections
gone through 3,600 50mL IV bags
had 50 peripheral IV's
had 3 PICC lines
had 1 Port
been in the hospital about 1 year of my life
been to clinic about 204 times
(I know these are crazy numbers, it's the first time I ever thought to do these calculations...ouch!!)


For the next 30 years I want to.....
run with my daughter
play in the ocean with Martin and Scarlett
run on the beach
run anywhere
play Tennis with Martin
win the doubles championship with Martin at our club
play Tennis with Scarlett when she's old enough and watch her get better and better, until she beats her father and I
sleep without the help of oxygen, extra pillows, or anything of the sort
travel
sprint up the stairs
get rid of all my equipment
have more kids (after we have our first of course)
ride a horse again
be fit and improve without restriction of my lungs
be free of oxygen
be free of lung pain
be free of coughing, mucus, all CF related pain
cook, take care of my husband and baby on my own....like I used to, and that I love to do!!
go grocery shopping!!
oh I can go on and on......but it will be SOOOOO good.

Just thought I would put into perspective 30 years of CF. Tomorrow I start my next wonderful 30 years, since no matter what, the first 30 were incredible. I had a fantastic childhood. I loved high school and university. I met an amazing man, and got married and am about to have a baby. It's just amazing. This year, my 30th is going to be very special. During the first month I will become and mom, and will meet a very special little human being: My daughter. In the year ahead, I will hopefully get my new lungs and be able to do all these wonderful things that I have lost during the last little while. But I will never say that it will be the start of my life, since I have lived a large life always. No matter what, I have lived. And I will continue to live, but better, stronger, wiser. I cannot wait.

Today I say goodbye to my 20s, and to 30 brilliant years lived. I cannot wait for what's ahead.

Birthday weekend and Fathers Day

I have had a good week. Since my 30th birthday is approaching, I decided to do somethings for myself that I used to do all the time, but has become harder due to the oxygen and lack of stamina. I got my nails and toes done, as well as some waxing (ouch!). I got a few nice outfits, some shoes, and got my hair done. It felt great. What an incredible pick me up....I always forget what looking good feels like, how much it helps when you're not physically and mentally 100%. Anyhow, it was great.

Tonight Martin and I went to a great Indian place for dinner with a couple that we like to hang out with. In fact my friend M is one of my oldest friendships. I have known her for many many years, and recently she accepted when I asked her to be our Scarlett's godmother. I cannot imagine a better person for the job! Anyhow, tonight it was great to see her and her boyfriend JR. We had some great conversation, and I managed to feel good through dinner. It was nice.

This weekend we have plans to spend time alone, and with my family. Angie and John are going to john Martin and I as well as my parents on Sunday for a nice birthday dinner at our club. I hope the weather is lovely and we can enjoy the patio and have a great 30th birthday celebration.

That's us waiting to go out to dinner tonight. Awwwww cute!!!