tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81219632039142140702024-02-19T08:33:15.688-07:00Run, Sickboy, Run - Cystic Fibrosis and ExerciseThis blog follows one man with Cystic Fibrosis trying to run one whole mile.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.comBlogger1618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-87556016517166495912016-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:002016-08-26T10:00:28.084-07:00A Forever HomeIt is with sadness and JOY that we send Baby S to a new home today. To be clear, the joy outweighs the sadness by a very considerable amount.
S was such a blessing in the short time he was with us. He was incredibly sweet and fit into our family with ease. We connected with him quickly and there are things about him that we will never forget and fondly recall. As awesome as he was, we were not Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-15323534622786537882016-08-25T09:34:00.002-07:002016-08-25T09:41:08.424-07:00My New Treatment: O to the 2I recently started a new treatment that was probably long overdue and needed for quite some time. At the request of our brand new adult CF doctor, I did a 6 minute walk test before I was discharged from my last hospital stay (May). She wanted to rule out anything funky as to why I wasn't recovering quite as quickly as I did before, and the 6 minute walk test was one of the tests she ordered to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-24171020329556319062016-08-18T14:22:00.000-07:002016-08-18T14:25:32.148-07:00Thankful Thursday: Our KiddosHaven't done a Thankful Thursday post for a while, but I felt compelled to write a bit about each kiddo and the first thing that comes to mind when I think of how thankful I am for each one of them.
This picture perfectly captures why I'm such a thankful Dad.
Keni (Mckenna) - The character trait I'm most thankful for that she possesses is her compassion for other people. Whether it's a friendAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-49856590961320826932016-08-16T22:04:00.001-07:002016-08-16T22:04:21.123-07:00Sharpe: Party of 5 (for awhile)So no one thinks this is a pregnancy announcement, I'll come out and say the punch line quickly....We have decided to love on another sweet foster baby for awhile. As of today, we are taking another placement.
We have, for awhile, felt like we needed to take another placement into our home. However, we have gone around and around regarding what age would be best. Mckenna will be 5 in October. Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-1977667534425640122016-08-11T11:29:00.000-07:002016-08-11T11:29:18.638-07:00Port Update: The Good and the BadLast December I wrote a blog about my decision to get a port and the reasons that I never wanted a port before last year. You can find that blog here. Well, it's been nearly a year, two hospital stays, a lot of daily living and exercise, plus monthly (or so) flushes, so I have a pretty good idea of my feelings towards said port. I figure it would be best to highlight my reasons for not wanting a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-59059750012373983792016-06-07T11:07:00.002-07:002016-06-07T11:12:23.221-07:00Marathon Recap and Takeaways
On Sunday I ran my second marathon: the Rock n Roll San Diego race in, you guessed it, San Diego, CA...
Upon having Bennett, I decided a marathon would be a good way to feel like I was totally back in shape, and a good excuse to have some me-time during the week to train. I suckered a rockstar friend of mine into training with me. Training went like training always seems to go. I did my runsMandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-79051562417171241622016-05-29T14:59:00.000-07:002016-05-29T14:59:07.991-07:00Photo dump of Life Lately
Summary of life lately through a little photo dump:
These two crack each other up...I love watching how them together!
Papi reading the kids his all time favorite book to another generation
These three cousins like banging this drum together more than anything else at Papi and Nana's
One of my favorite pastimes is watching this little man sleep
Mckenna LOVES gymnastics..Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-81339291505666319362016-05-17T15:21:00.000-07:002016-05-17T15:21:44.412-07:00Adjustment After the Hospital
Ronnie posted yesterday that he’s home…YIPPEE. He has been home a week, and we are all adjusting to him being home. I know it sounds a little silly, we LOVE when he comes home and are all so happy to have him back, but there is always an adjustment period for all of us that can feel a little hairy.
There’s an obvious adjustment for Ronnie. He has just spent 3 weeks in the “quietness” of his Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-79834669768032536222016-05-16T21:57:00.003-07:002016-05-16T21:57:49.219-07:00Out On BailWell, I'm home.
I got out last Wednesday and still adjusting a bit to the "real world". For sitting around as much as I do, it's amazing how little energy I have to keep up with our crazy life upon release. It usually takes me at least a few days to adjust. Now Monday, I feel like I have adjusted pretty well and probably running on at least 70% of my cylinders.
I was back at the gym on Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-80810249388589661592016-05-09T22:21:00.000-07:002016-05-09T22:21:39.125-07:00No Major Setbacks
Hospital Stay: Day 21
He said – Well, I sure hope I'm coming down towards the end of this stay. After a setback last week, it feels like I've been getting incrementally better, although I wish it was faster and more consistent. Feels like my health is changing by the hour some days. Fortunately, I haven't had any major setbacks this stay so I will certainly count my blessings.
For now, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-70267828188820450502016-05-04T21:54:00.000-07:002016-05-04T21:54:21.144-07:00Single-momming It
Hospital Stay - Day 16
He said – At this time last week, I was thinking there was a pretty good chance of me going home today. Uhhh, nope. Unfortunately, I started to feel new lung pain on Monday and had increased crackles, mucus and coughing. It was slightly better on Tuesday, but still not improved enough not to have an effect on my PFT numbers. I came in at 36, last week 63, this week 56. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-13408306976101679892016-05-01T20:58:00.000-07:002016-05-01T20:58:12.661-07:00Battleship
Hospital Stay: Day 13
He said - Had another great weekend with the fam. The cherry on top was Keni having a hospital sleepover. She is always very excited about the opportunity when I'm in here, but when it comes down to it, she sometimes backs out and doesn't actually stay over. She's very concerned about doctors coming in all through the night. Well last night she was not deterred and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-58069497172113510302016-04-28T21:55:00.000-07:002016-04-28T21:55:00.759-07:00Blueberry Scones. Yum.
Hospital Stay: Day 10
He said – Today was a pretty lazy day. I did get outside to catch some rays and get the heart rate going a bit, but other than that, I was purty lazy. I'm improving daily and feel like I'm probably 50% of the way there or so. As soon as I feel like I'm in a position to succeed outside of these walls, I'm outta here!
They started baking cookies and scones in the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-71717001766109123962016-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:002016-04-28T09:00:56.841-07:00A Big Jump
Hospital Stay: Day 9
He said – Today was a great day. I got to hang out with the fam the last couple of days, and they are certainly the burst of energy that I need while I'm in here...and in a strange way, also an energy drain :) Mandi and I even got to have a date night that consisted of a cafeteria turkey melt and some onion rings. But, and this is a big but, they brought back late night Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-45955669617929814102016-04-24T21:31:00.001-07:002016-04-24T21:31:52.055-07:00Sunny Day
Hospital Stay: Day 6
He said - I finally got outside today and sat in the sun. It was nice, but you would have thought I ran a marathon when I got back. I still have a little ways to go in here ;)
Other than that, today was a lazy day culminating with a meatball sub made by my brother and mom - yummy. My cousin also brought up a peach/lemon Eeggee (slushy type of thing) and it was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-49132331523975973242016-04-23T21:36:00.003-07:002016-04-23T21:36:44.346-07:00I'm Just a Phone Call Away
Hospital Stay: Day 5
He said –Today was a great day with my family. I wasn't feeling all that great, but I did my best to be present and active while they were here.
I've been battling nausea a lot this stay and it really seems to be taking it out of me. But, the lung pain is improving and I think I'm close to being able to take a deep, full breath. When I'm able to do that, I'm sureAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-82259128738718825732016-04-21T22:13:00.001-07:002016-04-21T22:13:06.824-07:00As expected...
Hospital Day #2
He said – I'm not a big napper, but today I was sleepy. I even managed to take a snooze for about an hour. I'm still looking for the truck that ran me over, but I am seeing little signs of improvement.
Little brother made my dinner tonight - chicken breast with BBQ sauce, asparagus and sweet potato fries. And yes ladies, he's single :)
She said – Day numero dos was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-5692540337500214342016-04-20T20:00:00.000-07:002016-04-20T20:00:29.558-07:00First Day In the HoleYou know when you have known someone for a really long time, except you don’t know their name. They told you it once, but you don’t remember it, and it’s been too long to ask them? Well it kind of feels like to write a blog after not writing one for so long. It’s a little awkward, but at some point, it’s necessary to bite the bullet and ask your name-less BFF their name.
I decided a great way toAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-61247725074777667452016-01-21T10:18:00.000-07:002016-01-21T10:26:04.854-07:00Being The Parent to a Teenager (With Cystic Fibrosis) Is HardIt's been awhile since I've answered a question through the blog, or written anything for that matter, so hopefully this spurs me into writing more blogs!
Hey Ronnie. Hope you have been doing well! Question for u. I'm hoping u can give me some insight as to whether or not I'm being too nagging of a mom or not, and to see if you went through some of the feelings/emotions ______ is dealing Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-80703149845288747582015-12-10T16:30:00.001-07:002015-12-10T16:30:17.040-07:00To port or not to port?That was really never a question for me.
I've been getting PICC lines for the last 20 years or so and with nearly (over?) 50 under my belt, the answer to getting a port or not was an easy one - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well, that was the easy answer.
Recently, I've had issues with my PICC lines that started making me open to the idea of actually entertaining a port. It started with PICCAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-12866231628390191042015-11-09T11:15:00.001-07:002015-11-09T11:49:06.579-07:00Becoming a Foster FAMILYWe got into foster care because we have a heart for kids in need. Our hearts broke for kids who needed a loving home, and we wanted to serve as their family in their time of need. We always thought we may even grow our family through fostering. But when we thought we would grow our family through fostering, we assumed it would be through adoption. However, this week we realized that we may grow Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-22114890031404291832015-10-21T11:54:00.001-07:002015-10-21T12:11:07.376-07:00"We are the result of His design"In church on Sunday, the pastor was talking about how we are made. How we are made intentionally and with a purpose. He said, "we are the result of His design." And it reminded me of the blog I've been meaning to write for awhile...since our long stint in the ICU in May.
When we were in the thick of it with Ronnie, after a couple failed attempts to embolize the last spot, the bleeding was still Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-51817169360203873792015-10-15T11:55:00.004-07:002015-10-15T11:55:52.443-07:00Quick and Healthy Snack and Meal OptionsI've been trying to trim down a bit. It got to the point where I felt uncomfortable in most of my clothes and I finally saw a number on the scale that "forced" me to buckle down. I'm one of the fortunate CF patients who doesn't struggle to gain weight (or lose). I have the opposite problem (even though I am pancreatic insufficient...maybe my enzymes work too well. Ha!) I lost about 20 Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849674714471543078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-75196134167769370472015-09-28T07:47:00.000-07:002015-09-28T07:47:12.105-07:00Supermoon SundayMckenna has been asking for about a month to go to the park after dark. It was still pretty light out until after Mckenna's bedtime this last month, so I had been vetoing the idea (Mama doesn't like to budge on bedtime for everyone's sanity...plus it was still pretty hot out so we only had been going early mornings). Last night's supermoon presented the perfect time to treat Mckenna to the park Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121963203914214070.post-59326555951526664032015-09-23T11:36:00.000-07:002015-09-23T11:36:22.374-07:00It's the Little Things...
It's the little things that make life beautiful. We're trying to sit back and appreciate all the little moments that this time in our life brings. I wanted to share a couple with you!
It's the way Mckenna adoringly gazes at her brother.
It's the way Bennett screams in his carseat until he feels me close to him
...even if it's just holding my finger.
It's the new appreciation Mandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772455294477644859noreply@blogger.com0