I'm Back and I'm Coming Out Swinging!!

Our PERFECT New Neighbors

I've had a secret dream ever since I was little. My dream was that my brother and I would be next door neighbors when we were older. I had it all planned out. Me and his wife would be best of friends. And our kids would be similar ages; running back and forth from house to house in their diapers playing all day long. And of course they'd be in school together, and we'd take turns driving them or walking them all to the bus stop.

I always thought my dream was a bit unrealistic. We moved around a ton as kids, so in my mind, that's just what people do - they move. How would it be possible to happen to move to the same places at the same times? Also, it's not like we grew up in a small town that generation after generation stay in, filling the shoes of their parents. So even though I wanted my dream to come true, the realistic side of me (a VERY small portion of my being) gave up on my dream.

Well, this weekend, my dream came true. Josh and Chrissy bought a house in our neighborhood, within walking distance. They closed on the house last week, and Saturday was move-in day. Their house is unbelievably beautiful (I saw the inside for the first time Saturday when I went to help them unpack), and it suits them. It has an awesome backyard that is perfect for grilling and sitting out enjoying some music. It has a great study that will be perfect for Josh to study and work from (he's going to ASU to get an MBA right now while working full time as an engineer for Honeywell). It has a kitchen fit for a chef - Chrissy isn't technically a chef, but with as good as her cooking is, she should really look into it. Their furniture looks PERFECT in the different rooms. All in all, they couldn't have made a better selection. But even with ALL of that, the thing I like most about their house is that they're our neighbors!!

Here's to unrealistic dreams coming true!!

(Sorry, that was a cheesy ending, but it was just too easy!!)

What's in a Google? WHY DO HOSPITALS

Here's something I started a while ago on RSBR, cause as we all know, the weekends are slow around here. I call it "What's in a Google?". It's simple really; type one word into Google and see what the magic bot suggests for you. Once in a while, you can get some pretty funny suggestions. What's crazy, is I'm pretty sure that it means these are the most common searches.

Word: why do hospitals

Top suggested searches:

why do hospitals charge so much

why do hospitals use pagers

why do hospitals cost so much

why do hospitals smell

why do hospitals close

why do hospitals merge

why do hospitals serve jello

why do hospitals outsource

why do hospitals have visiting hours

why do hospitals gowns open in the back

I thought this was pretty fitting...

What the _____?: September 23rd, 2010

A while ago we started a little contest on this blog in which I post a picture and whoever comes up with the most clever/funny/witty/etc caption gets put into a drawing for prizes at the end of the year. Still don't have everything figured out as of yet, but we do know a couple of things 1) There will be multiple prizes 2) I love the participation so far 3) If you think your submission is inappropriate for others to see, you can always email your answer directly to me at ronnie@cysticlife.org :) 4) I've literally LOLed all weeks so keep it coming!

(By the way, this is me in 1994)

Alright, what do ya got!?!?

Last week's photo with the winning caption:

1st: "Your booty just looked so much smaller in your skinny jeans"

submitted by Kellie

2nd: "The easiest way to say 'goodbye' to pantie lines!"

submitted by Mindy

3rd: "I see London, I see France"

submitted by Jessica

First Run in a Long Time

Today Is the Day!

Today's the day that I start training for my half-half-half-marathon (for those of you doing the math at home, I believe that's around a 5k...at least that's my hope!). I haven't been able to run for the past few months, at any real pace, because of some bleeding issues. The hope is that they've been resolved during this hospital stay and that I'll be able to start pushing it again. Now, I don't want you guys to get the wrong impression, I certainly haven't been sitting on my booty for the past three months. There were still daily bike rides, walks and trips to the gym, but I was just never able to really take it to the next level. Every time I would put A LOT of strain on my lungs, Mr. Hemoptysis would knock on the door. That can happen. I understand that it can happen, but I don't like it. That's one reason I was so excited for this trip to the Hole. I knew I needed it, not only for my lung function (which by the way has almost returned to my year high), but also to get me back into the position to run again. I may hate running more than anything else in the world, but I still miss it.

So here's what I'm asking you to do. I WILL go for a run later on today. Can you check in with me before you go to bed and call me out? Make sure I run today? There's no doubt in my mind that I will lace up my shoes and run, but in the off chance I need some extra motivation, I want to know that you guys will kick my butt if I don't.

Thanks guys!!

Your body is unlike any other machine...

Yesterday was a day I've been dreading! Day numero uno in training for a half marathon in January. I wasn't so much dreading my run. In fact, I've had the itch for the last few weeks to get out running. I came up with a TON of excuses: it's tough to squeeze in runs while Ronnie's in (yeah right, I have nothing but time), it's still too hot out, I'll start when it cools off, etc etc. The truth of the matter is, I was dreading that first run because I knew it would make me realize just how out of shape I've become.

It's always the worst feeling - you're not very far into a run, a fraction of what you used to run, and you're already feeling HORRIBLE. Your legs are tired. Your feeling winded. You think, "UGH, this used to be SO easy...what the heck?!" It's frustrating.

And I wish that I could say, "I went for my run today, and it felt way better than I thought it would...I was cruising along and it was a piece of cake". BUUUUUT that would be a big, fat lie. It sucked. As soon as I left the glorious AC of the hospital and starting picking up speed until I was at a running pace (side note: do you ever milk how long you can walk before you do the awkward lean forward to push your body into a running speed? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I know my mom does because when we run together, we both wait for the OTHER one to initiate the lean forward to signal that we're starting to run.) Anywhoo...as soon as I started running I was thinking, "Man....maybe 105 IS hot". But then I started to fall into a rhythm and felt pretty good....for about 7 minutes. I pushed myself to run 20. I kept telling myself, "You big weenie, you can make it hurt for 20 minutes." But at the 20 minute mark I allowed myself to stop, and ran/walked the last 10 minutes back to the hospital.

All that being said - I'm excited to run tomorrow. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, maybe I'm crazy?! And don't get me wrong, I'm going to be making all sorts of excuses in my head as I lace up my running shoes, but I can tell you I'm excited because I know it'll bring me one step closer to be back into shape, and ready for my race. And as I always say to Ronnie (I'm sure a very annoying statement as you're pulling for air, but never-the-less I say it) - "Your body is unlike any other machine. It will adapt to the stresses you put on it." I'm gonna show this machine who's boss.................eventually :)

Thinking about joining me and making it hurt for a few weeks, so you can get into stellar shape?! Check out this video to get you PUMPED up!

Update and a Big Ol Win!!

Flash Me Friday - "My Hospital Room"

This isn't technically the Flash Me Friday of today, but I figured I would put up a couple shots of my hospital and the room that I call "The Hole". I always find it interesting how similar every hospital room in America looks, yet they seem so different :)

University Medical Center - Tucson, AZ

The most uncomfortable bed in the history of mankind.

Another view of the rock.

At least it's bigger than a bathroom on a cruise ship!

Not even sure what that pink bucket is...

Maybe next week I can throw up some pictures of my hospital room updated. My lovely wife went out and got some stuff to give this place more of a "home feel".

What the _____?: September 16th, 2010

A while ago we started a little contest on this blog in which I post a picture and whoever comes up with the most clever/funny/witty/etc caption gets put into a drawing for prizes at the end of the year. Still don't have everything figured out as of yet, but we do know a couple of things 1) There will be multiple prizes 2) I love the participation so far 3) If you think your submission is inappropriate for others to see, you can always email your answer directly to me at ronnie@cysticlife.org :) 4) I've literally LOLed all weeks so keep it coming!

Alright, what do ya got!?!?

Last week's photo with the winning caption:

Winner: "I've finally graduated from "Dumb Ass" and it only took me 3 decades!"

submitted by Jesse Petersen

2nd: "LOOK! I've finally published my autobiography!"

submitted by Marla

3rd: "Someone ever tell you that you're a know-it-all? Now you can be a Smart Ass to WIN!"

submitted by Ci Ci

tie

"As seen on YouTube! Get yours today only for the low low price of $19.99! Includes your "How To Guide" of being the perfect smartass your wife will love!"

submitted by Rhonda

Hospital Survival Kit

Karen's Lung Function Climb (49% to over 100%)!!

Guest post by Karen Vega

I want to start out by thanking Ronnie for inviting me share my story by guest posting on his blog. My name is Karen, I’m 29 years old and have 1 ½ year old twin boys. I’ve shocked quite a few people, myself and doctors included on my drastic increase (75% increase in volume) in PFT’s over the past 10 months. Here’s a quick background on me and what brought about the change.

Up until college I always had “mild” CF. I’ll admit that I wasn’t the best at being compliant with my therapies during high school, college and even beyond. I just wanted to live “normal” and CF was easy for me to ignore at that time in my life. It wasn’t until late in college that I felt my CF slowly progressing and I needed IV’s for the first time. After I graduated and entered the workforce I wound up on IV’s every 6-8 months. My PFT’s were decreasing and I just accepted that this was the progression of the disease. When my husband and I decided it was time to start a family I talked with my doctors who gave me the o.k., had a tune up and at that time was holding steady with a FVC 3.67L (88%) and FEV1 - 2.54L (72%). To everyone’s shock & surprise I found out I was having twins (although they are in the family I just never thought about it), which scared a lot of people, my doctors mostly, but overall I had a pretty normal / easy pregnancy. I did wind up with an exacerbation at the end of my pregnancy and as soon as the boys were born I was on IV’s again.

I had a really rough first few months with them at home. Besides the normal new mom of two tiredness, I had the flu, kidney stones and laryngitis all in an 8 month period. My PFT’s plummeted to an all time low FVC 2.50L (64%) and FEV1 1.56L 49%. This really scared me and I knew something (me) had to change drastically. I had to find the energy and time to really commit to bringing those numbers back up. I knew I had to start exercising my lungs. I started slow, swimming 2-3 times a week. It took me about a month or two to get back into enough shape to even swim ¼ mile without getting winded. Then I started light jogging and 4 months into it I was up to a mile of jogging and ½ mile in the pool. After another round of IV’s last December (and let me add a PICC and two 1 year olds does not mix) I was starting to feel much more energized. I saw a post from Jerry Cahill about joining Team Boomer for this year’s ING NYC Marathon and I impulsively signed up. This was the kick in the butt that I needed.

I’ve been training for the Marathon since April, 5 months now. I’m up to running 28-30 miles a week with my longest run so far of 13 miles. I don’t run straight though, I take walking breaks usually every 2.5 miles or when I feel I need to. It’s not the speed that matters to me, it’s the distance and endurance. I never, ever thought I would be doing this a year ago.

Three weeks ago I had a clinic appointment and my PFT’s were FVC 5.36L (129%) and FEV1 3.71L (106%)! I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. I haven’t been in the 100%’s since as far back as I can remember. My doctor said she’s never seen results like this and that I must have a tremendous lung reserve. I haven’t changed any medications and haven’t been on antibiotics since December. The only thing that changed was me starting to run, run a lot.

Exercising was always something I had an excuse not to do. But after actually seeing my results I don’t have anymore excuses. Now I’m not saying everyone should go out and run a marathon nor do I think my results are typical. But I do think that everyone, CFers especially, would benefit from any type of physical exercise to the lungs. No matter how slow or how many breaks you need there is such a sense of accomplishment at the end.

I recently started a blog mostly about my training but about my life in general. Check it out the post I’ll be writing on Sunday 9/12 after I finish a 15 mile run! And make sure to check back after Nov 7^th… after I complete the marathon!

http://www.doublethelovehalfthesleep.blogspot.com/

And if you are able, please check out my First Giving Page for the NYC Marathon. http://www.firstgiving.com/karenvega

Thank you all for taking the time to read my story. Wish me luck on Nov 7th!

Note from Ronnie: I just wanted to give a big thank you to Karen for writing an outstanding guest post for RSBR. Her story reminds me a lot of my own. She is a great example of a CFer who decided that "enough was enough" and to take CF head-on. She has shown that although it may take some changes, through a little bit of hard work and dedication, we CAN have some control over this disease. I encourage you to leave Karen your encouraging comments as well as any questions you may have!

If you are interested in writing a guest post for RSBR, simply send me an email with a little bit about yourself and what you'd like to write about.

What's in a Yahoo!? WHY DID

I started something a while ago on RSBR called "What's in a Google?". It's simple really; type one word into Google and see what the magic bot suggests for you. Once in a while, you can get some pretty funny suggestions. Today, I figured why limit it to only Google. I now present "What's in a Yahoo!?". Pretty sure you guys can figure out the gist of this game :)

Word: why did

Top suggested searches:

why did the chicken cross the road

why didn't I think of that

why didn't they evans

why did chris brown hit rihanna

why did japan attack pearl harbor

why did bitty schram leave monk

why did brad pitt leave jennifer anniston

why did backstreet boys kevin richardson leave

Flash Me Friday - "My Favorite (hospital) Dish"

This week's addition of Flash Me Friday calls for pictures of our favorite "dish". It's kind of hard to pick a favorite dish while I'm here in the Hole, so I decided to take some pictures of any sort of food laying around my room. I did have a breakfast burrito this morning courtesy of the peeps from fantastic food services, but I forgot to snap a picture of it. The food here honestly isn't that bad, it just gets a little much after eating it for a month straight. You can only have chicken tenders so many times you know?

This is what you would call a smorgasbord of goodies.

Gotta have your own coffee pot here in the Hole. Also, having sparkling cider left over from hospital date night doesn't hurt :)

Stay thirsty my friends.

Are you interested in also participating? This brainchild of Jen over at The Groettum Family blog is going to be a weekly series in which we have to take a picture of her choosing without any cleaning up whatsoever. If you want in on the action, please visit here for the "rules".

What the _____?: September 9th, 2010

A while ago we started a little contest on this blog in which I post a picture and whoever comes up with the most clever/funny/witty/etc caption gets put into a drawing for prizes at the end of the year. Still don't have everything figured out as of yet, but we do know a couple of things 1) There will be multiple prizes 2) I love the participation so far 3) If you think your submission is inappropriate for others to see, you can always email your answer directly to me at ronnie@cysticlife.org :) 4) I've literally LOLed all weeks so keep it coming!

Alright, what do ya got!?!?

Last week's photo with the winning caption:

Winner: "Warning: Dunkin Donuts may cause frightening case of lock jaw."

submitted by Karen

2nd: "Hooooooow's my cooooooooffee breeeeaaaaaath!!!!!"

submitted by Suzanne

3rd: "Enter text right here!We love our triple espresso quadruple caffeine shot double mocha caramel fudge lattes!!!! And this pic was taken only after the first sip!!!!"

submitted by Sharon

I have a Popeye Arm!

PICC Line Today??

Rambling Off Updates about the Weekend

What's in a Google? WHO PAYS

Here's something I started a while ago on RSBR, cause as we all know, the weekends are slow around here. I call it "What's in a Google?". It's simple really; type one word into Google and see what the magic bot suggests for you. Once in a while, you can get some pretty funny suggestions. What's crazy, is I'm pretty sure that it means these are the most common searches.

Word: who pays

Top suggested searches:

who pays for obamacare

who pays closing costs

who pays for what in a wedding

who pays taxes

who pays for unemployment

who pays the most taxes

who pays gift

who pays for the bridal shower

who pays realtor fees

who pays income tax

First Day of Paradise