Change of Pace

Today at the gym I was really on a time crunch, but knew I had to get my workout in. I decided to take a break from the treadmill since I feel like an 87 year old lady today ;) I did the Eliptical instead and liked it....a lot actually. The ones that the gym are so nice and glide so well, no so much like the one we have at home. Before I knew it 25 minutes had gone by, and I was a sweaty salty mess. Guess that means a good workout eh? Tomorrow is break day, and I think this body will be happy to let these muscles chill for 24 hours. Until then....

Moving on Up

Poor Scott was plagued by a horrible cold/virus on Friday. It was so bad that we actually had to pass on going to the Ravens game Saturday night. Ahem, to miss a football is a big deal you ask?! Oh yes it is in this house!! Poor guy had fevers, congestion, you name it, he had it. The whole weekend was spent resting and fighting this infection. Me, I spent it avoiding Scott like the plague unfortunately.

So far so good (Knock on wood!) I went to the gym today after taking a few days off last week due to my bowel obstruction I had last Monday. My body needed some rest, plus I'm not sure the pain I felt would've even let me attempt to run. Anyway feeling great and moving on.... I had a hard run and loved every bit of the 30 minutes it lasted. I realized today that my 5K is only 2 weeks away!!!

Today's Totals:

Ran 30 minutes

Total 2.1 miles

Pulse 165 max

Weight training: bicep routines

My FEV1 monitor is showing numbers that I REALLY like too! I gave Colistin another 'whirl' after stopping due to some side effects. I have to say, so far so great! Here's to more running, feeling good, and positive things this week!

Too Sensitive? Maybe.

I can't help but feel a little, hurt, maybe even frustrated. This may sound very silly, but let's face it we can't help the way we feel right? It's a simple thing, yet something that has really been bothering me. I feel like when you email friends/family etc. about stuff that is going on, especially when you've had a recent illness it would be nice if they acknowledged it. I feel that when I am a part of emails, and someone is sick, hurt, upset, or stressed, I try to respond quickly and lend a helping hand or thought. I suppose my feelings are just a little hurt that after having some bumps in the road lately, I haven't gotten what I feel I always give....

When Life Hands you Lemons....

Oh it was that kind of a week no doubt, and I hope that I have officially seen the end of GI issues for a bit. I think I've officially paid my dues in the Gastroenterology department. Earlier this month it was Gallstones, and after seeing my GI doc he clarified I did NOT have pancreatitis, bonus. Although on Monday night I had a raging bowel obstruction that sent me to the ER. Awful, just awful.

To see the silver lining which I'd rather do, my body is amazing. My body passed those stones early this month, and we've been feeling good "stone wise" ever since. The bowel obstruction situtation was brought on by steamed crabs, so I need to make some changes there. Over all I am so grateful because my body naturally took care of itself and fixed itself without major intervention. Honestly all it took in both situations was some good old aggressive IV fluids. For this I am happy beyond belief. Me and my "gut" have been through a lot this August, but she's tough ;)

That all being said, I am so ready to move on. I had my follow up with my GI doctor on Wednesday and he made me feel so much better! He said "Jessica I just think you've had a run of bad luck this month, you are doing wonderfully!" I don't think he realized just how much on so many levels I needed to hear those words. Again, for this I am grateful. For now it's on to healthier things, positive moments, and a lot of HOPE.

"When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on"

My First Blog Award :)

I received this awesome blog award from my Cyster Colleen. I love having such a great network of those who also have CF. It sure is wonderful to have such amazinginly supportive and understanding people. If you haven't, go check out her blog, here! Thank you Colleen!! :)

SMOKING!! The RN vs. CF...

I found myself in a tough place yesterday at work. I had a patient call and ask about if she was able to smoke before she came in for her procedure because of her "nerves." Of course I told her no way, but I actually had to convince her as to why. This slightly boggled my mind, and my brain had a hard time comprehending it. Well the CF side of my brain anyway...

I sat there on the phone with her telling her the risks of anesthesia causing respiratory depression and that cigarettes on top of that do not work (in a nut shell). I found myself quietly frustrated. I had to remind myself that this woman has no clue that I have a lung disease and how pissed off I am right now. She's just calling her nurse for advice, and that was who I had to be and was for her, her Nurse. This woman never knew how much I wanted to blurt out and somewhat go off the handle about lungs period. How she is a typically healthy woman who is choosing to kill her lungs, when those of us born with CF have no choice but to try and stop that from happening.

I hung up the phone with her after I gave her the Nurse's side of my advice. The CF side of me was frustrated, but proud of how I kept my composure and did my job. I then went off to the gym for my "other job" of keeping my lungs as best as they can be.

My body despises Cross Training

I've been a rule breaker. Not really hard core, just funny really. My running plan calls for 4 days of running, 1 day of rest with a day of walking, and a day of cross training. I have yet to do the cross training honestly so I gave it a shot today. Now it's not like it's anything major it's just my stubborness in my brain. I have such a rush from running, and such an amazing feeling afterwards that I have no desire to do anything else.

Today I decided to follow the rules if you will and do the cross training. I did it, but my brain can't comprehend it, as if it rejects it. I did the bike, walked on the treadmill eventhough I was itching to crank it up and run, and did the eliptical.

Boo. Hiss. I watched the clock the whole time, tick, tock, slowly. I thought it was never going to end. I guess I am just so used to what I do and I actually feel the results by running. I reluctantly followed the rules and I'm glad I listened, but boy it wasn't easy.

New Nebulizer + 2 more miles

I am officially the proud owner of a brand spankin' new Vios Nebulizer! Woo! Who'd have thought I'd ever be so excited to own a new nebulizer? Well after trying to troubleshoot mine, take it apart with no answers, and treatments taking double the time...ME!

I literally talked to someone around noon, and by 7pm I had one delivered to my house. Yay! It feels so good to do my treatments at the regular length of time, and to actually have my treatments be effective! That makes for happy lungs and a happy me :)

Today at the gym I ran another 2 miles. I could feel it was harder today for my lungs than normal. I'm guessing that's due to a few days of treatments not really getting into my lungs properly due to the failing nebulizer. However It didn't stop me at all, and I pushed through it.

Today's totals:

3 minute warm up

2 miles @ 14 minutes each

total mileage of 2.12

Pulse 155

The lungs didn't miss a beat

I was finally granted permission to go back to the gym today! Hooray!! Could you hear me yelling happily from where you lived? Hahaha. It's been almost 2 weeks, and I've been going crazy waiting to work out again! I know I had to play it safe post hospitalization, and I am happy I did. I, however, am even happier I finally got to run today!!! Ahhh.

I'm even happier that I didn't miss a beat lung wise and am so grateful! I got on the treadmill and was able to run 2 miles without even thinking about it. I wasn't winded, tired, nothing! So happy for that :) It feels wonderful to be allowed to run again, and thank you to my lungs who continue to do their part in making our team a success ;)

Totals: Warm up 3 minutes

Running: 2 miles @ 27 minutes total

Pulse post running 155

Total 2.1 miles

Surprise 30 (and a half) Birthday Party!

I still can't believe that I had a surprise party yesterday. I woke up this morning still in complete awe of the day. It was the absolute best. Here's how it all went...

Apparently the plans have been going on since my actual birthday which was in February. Unfortunately we had 2 back to back blizzards so the birthday plans really didn't pan out for the big 3-0, or so I thought ;)

Yesterday my best friend and I went shopping and got some coffee, the regular routine to be honest. Around 3pm we headed home and she suggested we go to my community beach for a while and just hang out like we do often. As we were getting close to my house I offered to go home and pack us a quick cooler for the beach which she totally ignored (haha). Now I know why...

We pull up to the beach and I see people, tents, and a lot going on. I suggest to her that we probably shouldn't go to the beach today since clearly there was a party going on. Then she hit the accelerator, and we pulled up and everyone I love (minus a few who couldn't join) were all right there to greet us. There were signs being held up, noise makers being blown, and I was in complete shock and totally confused that it was a party for me! I hope I never forget how I felt yesterday.

My best friend drives a jeep, so during the ride home my flip flops were off. So in my complete phase of confusion she had to reach over me and open my door. My husband then unlatched my seatbelt and pulled me out to be surrounded by everyone. Later I wondered where the heck my shoes were, then I was gently reminded of how I'd never had them on.

I started to look around at everyone and everything and just cried my eyes out. I was so happy and overwhelmed with warmth and love. The biggest kick of the day was they got me a Moon bounce and a Cotton Candy Machine!!!! Talk about pure AWESOMENESS!!!! It was like being a little kid, and I adored every single second of it.

I had a wonderful day with wonderful people! I will never forget my birthday for so many reasons. I mean really, who ever is lucky enough to be thrown a 30.5 birthday party!?

I love my friends and family, and truly am blessed with the BEST!!!!

Withdrawl

I'm totally missing running and overall exercising in the worst way. I think I'm in the midst of gym withdrawl, haha. I have to play it safe and be smart per doctor's orders and take it easy for a couple of days. However, they didn't specify when I could go back to the gym. I guess this calls for basic common sense :) I've not done anything major since last week, rested my body and let it heal, and am so ready to get my run on!! Maybe one more day.....but that's it!

Hospitalized for Pancreatitis/GI issues

What a week. However in the grand scheme of life I have a lot to be grateful for. Where do I even begin...

I left off at the 102 degree fevers and hoping the stone would pass quietly and painlessly. Wrong.

I ended up spiking another 102 degree fever that woke me up at 1:30 am. I relied on Tylenol yet again to come to the rescue and break the fever and it did.

Wednesday morning I called my CF nurse to touch base with her since the on call doctor told me to watch things over night. I was told to go to the E.R. for evaluation and if something was going on, I'd be transferred to Hopkins. The rest of it is kind of a blur to be honest.
I was given so much pain medication and nausea medication that I feel as If I were sedated the last few days.

Skip ahead to Friday.....I had an MRCP done which is an MRI of the Liver, Gallbladder area etc, and it was clear for stones. So the doctors think I passed the stone probably on Tuesday when the fevers hit. That was good news though because if I were to have had a stone, the risk of an ERCP (procedure to remove the stone) would have been very risky. I ended up with Pancreatitis from the stone, but all is resolving nicely.

I was discharged late Friday night which I barely remember, but so happy to be out of the hospital. The plan is to increase my Urso in the hopes that it prevents more stones from forming. *Knocks on Wood*

I'm so fortunate that this hospitalization didn't call for further intervention like a stent placed etc. I'd also like to mention how wonderful my husband is for being by my side and taking care of me and being the my best friend.


I am so beyond fortunate and grateful for my wonderful friends, family, and CF family for the wonderful outreach of love and support.

Happy Healing....

And it continues...

Today I came home from work and felt terrible. I was suddenly freezing and absolutely exhasuted. I took my temperature and it was slowly creeping up and hit 102. I NEVER get fevers like that so it scared me. I've not had the normal gall-stone pains today, just some dull aches, but this fever was wicked. It all scared me pretty badly I have to admit.

I called the on call Doctor @ Hopkins and they said for now I have to "ride it out." Since I'm not having acute crippling pain they aren't really sure what it is. I have to hydrate like crazy, and if I get a fever again I have to go to the ER. I sure hope this fever stays away as does the pain.

This totally sucks because we were supposed to go to the Orioles game tonight with visiting family. I felt terrible that we had to cancel and am so dissapointed that this is happening.

I just hope that whatever is going on in there makes it's way out....painlessly and quitely. :(

From new shoes to phantom pains...

I was ecstatic today to see the package laying on my front step this evening. Ahhh, my new running shoes have arrived. I can't wait to break them in tomorrow! This week started week 3 of my plan. I ran my 2 miles this afternoon and felt great afterwards!! Looking forward to tomorrow with the new shoes to break in...

In other health stuff, I've been having phantom gallbladder pains, uncool. I'm not sure what it's about, but I'm watching it and hoping it goes away on it's own. Otherwise Hopkins will know on Thursday. I'm wondering if I have a gallstone, or sludge, or a blocked bile duct? I had my gallbladder out in 2003 so I haven't felt this pain for a while.

We had a great night tonight eating crabs and hanging out on the water with family that is up visiting from Florida. We rarely get to see them, so it was wonderful :)