Everyone has them.......PET PEEVES!

To be honest I do not really have that many but I do have one that has been more of a nuisance and something that really irritates me. Lets play a little game guess my pet peeve.  It has to do with the air that I breathe.  Well most importantly not just me but also my wife.  People are responsible for creating this in the air.  If you do contribute to this you have a habit/addiction.  Any guesses yet?

And the answer is.......Smoking of any kind is my pet peeve especially cigarettes. I am sure a lot of us in the CF community can relate to this pet peeve!!!  Over the last few months I have really noticed a lot of people smoking. Does anyone else notice this?  There have been many times that we have been driving around with the windows down sunroof open and then you stop at a stop light and BAM a nice whiff of cigarette smoke fills the air.  I hate this more than anything!!!  Maria will say to me “Hurry close the windows and sunroof and turn the A/C on with the recycled air filter!” I then let out my frustration about how people have to ruin it for others etc. etc.   

In the state that I live in you cannot smoke within so many feet of the door to any building. I am not sure exactly what the distance is though but it may be 10 feet.  Hmm Ok well for most of the smokers out there they do follow this rule. But there have been many times in the past few months we see a “nice” person standing right next to the entrance of a store getting that really last important breathe of smoke in. Really is it that necessary or important you need that last puff?  Of course we have had to walk through the door as these “nice” people are getting there last puff.  Can we say inconsiderate people. They made the 10 foot rule a law for a reason and yes it is a law. I have no idea how the law is enforced but there is a number you can call to report violations but what is the point!

When we are in this situation my wife will let her mind speak. She will say out loud “You are killing my baby or  that is just disgusting!”  The smokers never reply back ever. Maybe its because they know they are not suppose to be smoking that close to an entrance/exit of building or they have just accepted the fact that smoking is their habit and swallowed any of their pride.

As you can see smoking is my pet peeve and not just mine but Maria’s as well.  I think all of us with CF can understand this.  We have lungs that are already damaged just due to our illness.  We did not get to choose how healthy our lungs would be!!!  So who in the right mind with healthy lungs would want to smoke? Well you got me on this one. First off its so expensive and who would want to spend $5 on a pack of cigarettes a day? That is approximately $1800 a year if you smoke a pack a day!!!  So wait lets look at this you are paying money to destroy your lungs and shorten your life?!?!  Sounds like a truly NO BRAINER to me.

People give excuses for the habits they do everyday.  I have heard many excuses as to why an individual smokes but its just plain fact they are excuses.  Some of the excuses I have heard over the years for why people smoke….. “I smoke so I will not become fat, its just a habit I have, I started socially smoking so now I just continue to smoke, etc.” Ugh you people are killing me LITERALLY!  If for one day we CFers could choose to have healthy lungs we would all do it in a heartbeat. I just do not understand why smokers smoke in general.

I will leave you with this question and please tell me the answer to it is NO!!! At my clinic appointment I get asked this question once a year when we go over my airway clearance method and how often, which frequencies I use on the Vest, and how long I Vest for.   “ARE YOU A SMOKER OR IS ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD A SMOKER?”  First off my answer to this question is “You got to be kidding me NO!!!!”  The respiratory therapist goes on to tell me “John, we do have patients that do smoke or they have a family member that lives with them who smokes!” WOW is all I can say! So  please tell me if you are a CFer and you answered yes to the previous question make sure you do yourself a favor and quit the smoking.  We already have damaged lungs!!!

Anyone else have any pet peeves they would like to share?  

Pregnancy: Final Trimester Week 32

Another week down as we get closer and closer to the big day. Here is the weekly update!  Anyone realize that pregnancy is not really 9 months its 10 MONTHS (40 WEEKS)!!! 

How far along:  We are currently in week 32.  As of today, we have 56 days to go!  WOW, I remember when we had over 200 days! Time really does fly.

How big:  Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs 3.75 lbs like a large jicama.  So what is a jicama? I had to google this since I have never heard of it. It looks like a very large potato. So anyway, Alayna currently measures 16.7 inches from head to toe and is taking up a lot of room in Maria’s uterus.  I definitely think she agrees with that statement!!!

Developments and Milestones:  Maria will be gaining about a pound a week and about half of that goes right to Alayna. Looks like Alayna will be eating a bunch of Maria’s food over the next weeks.  I am sure Chipolte will be a featured food over the next weeks as it is one Maria’s favorites.  In fact, Alayna will gain a third to half her weight during the next seven weeks as she fattens up for the outside world!      

Looks like toenails, fingernails, and real hair (peachfuzz) are visible now. Hmm really Alayna you had a wig on in there?  Her hair is starting to grow on top of her head and due to increased pigmentation resulting from more melanin production, it now has some color. Any guess on Alayna’s hair color?

Her skeletal muscles are growing stronger and the bones are hardening even more. She is looking more like a newborn everyday.  Also, Alayna’s skin on her body is becoming soft and smooth.  I cannot wait to feel this!!

Alayna is sleeping like a baby!!! She now has sleep cycles of 20 to 40 minutes long.  I wonder who is sleeping more now Alayna or Maria?

Today, Maria had a doctor appointment and everything went well. The baby is measuring correctly and the big news is…………Alayna is now head down!!! I guess that could explain all the pain she is feeling now.

What Mom and Dad Notice:   The theme continues from last week noticing body parts! But this time I have felt some bone structures not sure what it is though.  Could be a leg or an arm. This really is amazing to be able to feel this little human being. It makes it feel just that more real and that she is coming soon.  Maria told me today that she is going to prepare her hospital bag. WOW, ready or not here she comes!

Over the weekend it was really hot here approaching the 90s and Maria was very swollen. Her hands looked so puffy and swollen like a dinosaur. Her feet and ankles were swollen as well. Poor girl. At least the third trimester is toward the end of summer because if it was any earlier this summer I am sure you would have been miserable.   As far as her blood pressure and the swollenness, Maria’s blood pressure is still normal.  She just has to avoid salty foods. Well that will be a hard one for you honey!  

Pregnancy: Final Trimester Week 31 & Video

Another week down as we get closer and closer to the big day. Here is the weekly update!

How far along:  We are currently in week 31.  As of today, we have 62 days to go!  WOW, really that’s all I can say!  

How big:  Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs 3.3 lbs like carrying four oranges.  She could gain anywhere from an additional 3-5 pounds before she is born.  Alayna currently measures over 16 inches from head to toe and is heading into a growth spurt.  Looks like we moved out of the comparisons to vegetables now on to the fruit.

Developments and Milestones:  Alayna can now turn her head from side to side and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up.  She is now starting to move around more, flip upside down, and somersault.  Hmm will you be a gymnast Alayna?     

As I mentioned last week about Alayna’s brain it appears things are still changing in there.  Her brain is now more fully developed, with speech and language centers in the process of development.  Complex neurological connections and learning will continue throughout the rest of the pregnancy.  I know you can hear us Alayna and all that country music that we listen to.  I hope you love country music as much as your Mom and Dad do!!

Alayna is also making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with her little hands and feet.  She is also sucking her thumb!! Some babies are born with a callus on their thumb from all that thumb sucking.  Looks like you will not be able to hide that thumb sucking little girl!

What Mom and Dad Notice:   Alayna continues to be very active still.  Maria has noticed body parts. Yes, she claims that she can feel an arm, or a leg now! I felt her belly and I cannot make any body parts out at all. But I believe you Maria!!

The Braxton hiccups are still occurring.  As I reported last week Maria loves how this feels.  I wish I could actually feel these hiccups but that would mean I would have to carry a baby.  Hmm last time I checked that is not going to happen!!!

It is also getting harder for Maria to breathe.  Since Alayna is getting bigger, she is pushing up towards Maria’s diaphragm.  Poor Maria! Keep up the good work Alayna and continue your development!

For all my CF mom’s out there I could not imagine having an even tougher time breathing!!  Also, how could you girls wear your VEST?  I would think you would have to loosen the straps or not even buckle them at all! What about all that shaking from the VEST as well? Anyone ask their Dr. if it was safe to use the VEST while pregnant?

I will leave my readers with what is our favorite sound!! I hope that this works.  It may be an issue for Apple fans but if you have adobe flash player or use Google Chrome it should work. Let me know if it does!  This was my first time making a video with photos and sound so its not the greatest but all that matters is what you hear!!!  :)

It's Time For A Quote

I thought I would provide my readers with some inspirational quotes that I to try to live by.   I plan to do this Quote blog at least once a month. We will see if that happens.  If you do like/dislike this idea please let me know.  

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”    Walt Disney

When I read this quote for the first time I thought that it was a great quote to fit the theme of my blog!!!

Everyone has dreams whether it’s the white picket fence, big house, working at a job they love, a fairy tale wedding, meeting the person of our dreams etc.  I think though as a CFer that my dreams are similar to the mainstream public and also very different at the same time. What I mean by this is that growing up knowing that I have a genetic disease it has made me dream differently.  Don’t get me wrong I still dream “Big” just like everyone else but its different.  When you are told that you have a genetic illness it puts many things in life into perspective.  I feel that I have matured faster than my friends have had to and some of them are still trying to figure out what that word even means.  

When I was growing up, my parents never really limited my dream possibilities. I think that is key for any parent who has a child with or without CF.  My parents always believed in me as far as setting the bar high for me. They expected I would be like any other child go to school, play outside with friends, be active in sports,  eventually become an adult, get married, have a job, own a house etc. They really never mentioned to me or ever made me feel that I could not follow my dreams.  For this I am very grateful!  

I am living out my dreams everyday.  I know it sounds cliche but its true. I went to college and have a career not just a job.  I have a house over my head and food on the table.  I am married to my beautiful wife who is the woman of my dreams.  She keeps me going everyday and gives me a purpose to never stop dreaming.  Maria has encouraged me to continue not just my dreams but our dreams. We dream of many tomorrows, having a family, watching our future daughter grow and learn and eventually having her own family.  I want to be a part of these dreams for as long as possible.  In order to live out these dreams I have to set goals for myself. 

The most important goal in my life is to keep myself as healthy as possible in order to witness our future dreams.  When you have future dreams, it gives you a purpose and a meaning to life.  Sometimes when I sit and do a treatment I remind myself why I am dedicating so much time to my health. The answer to that is pretty simple...I want to pursue not just my dreams but our dreams!!!


So what are you doing to pursue your dreams?

It's Thankful Thursday Time!

Everyone lives such a busy life but sometimes it’s a good idea to take a minute and reflect on what we are thankful for. We all have so much to be thankful everyday and I would like to take this opportunity to share it with you.  If you haven’t heard of “Thankful Thursday” it was created by a Fibro of mine Ronnie Sharpe. Check his blog out http://runsickboyrun.blogspot.com/

Maria:

So since everyone knows that I am pregnant I am thankful for food. I love a bunch of junk food lately but I have a few favorites.  Recently John and I have been eating a lot of Chipolte! I think we actually ate there 3 times this past week and I could eat it again tonight!!

Dunkin Donuts is another goodie I love! Last night we went to get my favorite doughnut. Anyone else love the chocolate glazed doughnut or the munchkin doughnuts at DD?

Sleep, yes that’s a key word. If I can get any sleep I am so thankful for it. The last few days have been challenging for me to get sleep. I feel so uncomfortable its been harder to breath while laying down and a challenge to get out of bed.  

John:

I am thankful for creating memories. This past week one of my uncle’s passed away. I have created some great memories of him that will live on for years to come. I believe that ir is so important to reflect on the good memories you have made of the loved ones you have lost.

I am also thankful for this blog. The CF community is truly awesome. I have found so many people that are going through the same things as myself in life whether its IVF, battling the good old PFT test, and just living with CF.  I have only been blogging for a month now but I have had a little over 1,000 page views. Really, there are that many people who have clicked on my blog?  I am also shocked to know that 10 people care enough to follow my blog.  Maria said to me the other day “Wow, you have 10 people who are following you? You didn’t have that many friends in high school! “  Thanks for pointing out the obvious babe.  I will continue to keep blogging as long as people keep reading and commenting.  If you haven’t left a comment or have yet to start following me I invite you to!  Thanks for taking an interest in my life as I continue to live my dreams with CF.

So take a minute and ask yourself “what am I thankful for today”?

Pregnancy: Final Trimester Week 30

I would like to continue the trend from last week about our pregnancy journey. So without further a do here it is.

How far along:  We are currently in week 30.  As of today, we have 70 days to go or 10 weeks!  Wow, it is getting closer everyday.  

How big:  Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs almost 3 lbs like a head of cabbage or an eggplant and measures 15.7 inches from head to toe.  I still love these comparisons to vegetables and even point them out to Maria at the grocery store!!

Developments and Milestones:  Alayna’s eyesight continues to develop this week! She may now be able to open, close and blink her eyes.  After her birth, she will keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does have her eyes open she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision. Alayna will only make out objects a few inches from her face. Looks like you will not be driving anytime soon!!!   

Fetal REM (rapid eye movement) activity occurs at this stage indicating sleep and wake cycles. Alayna maybe spending much of the time sleeping but her cycle is not necessarily tied to Maria’s.

Alayna’s brain is now developing the grooves and indentations on the surface. Until now, her brain was smooth. The wrinkles on her brain allow for an increased amount of brain tissue which will be necessary for her life outside the womb.

Another big change is her bone marrow has taken over production of red blood cells. This is an important step for her to thrive on her own once she is born.

What Mom and Dad Notice:   Alayna continues to be very active still.  You have hiccups again! This looks like a reoccurring theme for you Alayna. Maria loves how these hiccups feel.  Alayna your mom can feel different parts of your body now. She told me that she felt your arm today.  I cannot tell though but mom knows best!  What I notice is that you are causing your mom to have a harder time sleeping. Also, some of the first trimester systems are coming back like the nausua and heartburn feeling  Poor Maria!  Keep up the good work Alayna and continue your development!

Other Interesting Tidbits:  The baby room has been successfully painted! Yes I said successfully because let me tell you I hate painting!  We also received her crib and dresser the other day and it looks awesome in her bedroom.  Maria said yesterday while looking at her bedroom “It’s like a dream come true!!”  I could not agree with her more!   There will be pictures to come in a future post of Alayna’s bedroom.  I will keep you all in suspense!!

Five Year Anniversary!

Really it has been five years? WOW!!! They say time flies when you are having fun!!

Five years ago today, I married my best friend, my soul mate, my everything!!!  This quote reminds me of you Maria “It doesn’t matter where you go in life, what you do…….it’s who you have beside you.”  I truly could not imagine a day without you. (I know it sounds cheesy but its so true)  You have always been in my corner and have given me so much strength in life that no one else could have.  You have provided so much inspiration and a reason to never give up on our dreams.  I could not ask for anything more in life than to have you by my side.

Over the last year we have experienced the biggest challenge in our life.  Who would have thought that making a baby was going to be such a challenge.  You and I (mainly YOU) have gone through so much in order to have our dream come true.  I just want to thank you for taking all those needles (especially the ones in the butt), all the  blood draws, doctor appointments,  and of course sacrificing your body.  You have shown me that anything is possible in life and to never stop dreaming.  I can’t wait to add our little girl Alayna to our family!!   

Our anniversary is a time to look back at the good times and a time to look ahead to live our dreams together.  I know we will continue to make our dreams a reality together!

I LOVE YOU Maria more than words can express!

Random facts about our relationship:

Maria and I are high school sweethearts and started dating back in Sophomore year! So it has been almost 12 years she has put up with me!!  Marrying your high school sweetheart is unheard of in our generation.  

Maria was my first dance ever way back in middle school.  She never knew this until a few years ago. The stars must have been aligned way back when!

The two of us attended the same university as well. We would take a few of the same classes through our 4 years. She would always try to get a better grade in the class and she usually would.  Got to love marrying a smart lady!

We have gone on many vacations over our relationship. My most memorable vacation of course was the honeymoon. If anyone ever has the chance to vacation to a Palace Resort I highly suggest it. You will not be disappointed!  I have so many memories of the honeymoon.  We had a blast and met a bunch of other newly married couples as well.  My favorite memory is being crowned Mr. Palace. (Maria has heard this story a hundred times but I will share it with you) Yes, she volunteered me for this and I was losing the entire game until the last competition.  The last competition was a dancing competition.  Lets just say I could have been a dancer in the latest movie Magic Mike! 

There are many other random facts but I will stop here.

Some of my favorite photos of us:



Wedding Day, Best Day Ever!

Reflection Pond Love This Photo

Honeymoon at Aventura Palace Resort

Celebrating Wedding Anniversary On A Cruise



Pregnancy: Final Trimester Week 29

I would like to continue the trend from last week about our pregnancy journey. So without further a do here it is.

How far along:  We are currently in week 29.  As of today, we have 75 days to go!  Wow, it is getting closer everyday.  

How big:  Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs 2.5-2.75 lbs like a butternut squash and measures a little over 15 inches from head to toe.  I love these comparisons to vegtables!!

Developments and Milestones:  Alayna’s bones are beginning to harden and store iron, phosphorus, and calcium.  Her bones are soaking up lots of calcium! Approximately 250 milligrams a day are deposited in her skeleton each day. Alayna's bones will remain soft enough at birth so she can move through the birth canal.  

The muscles and lungs are continuing to mature as well as the head. Her head is growing bigger to make room for that developing brain.

Her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin. This fat is called white fat. Earlier, Alayna had brown fat. The brown fat is necessary for her body temperature to be regulated while the white fat actually serves as an energy source.  I had no idea there was a difference in fat!?!  America here is your next excuse for allowing yourself to get fat!!

What Mom and Dad Notice:  We continue to notice her moving a lot!  She was very active for Maria’s birthday. Maybe you just wanted to celebrate with the rest of us.  She is also now kicking Maria in the rib cage. Poor ribs! The other day Maria noticed Alayna was having hiccups.  She said that it was an amazing feeling!!  Keep up the good work Alayna and continue your development!

Classes:  Yes, we have taken a few pregnancy/labor classes as well as a breastfeeding class. The pregnancy/labor class was ok. I really wouldn’t recommend anyone taking it as most of the material is common sense.  We covered c sections, natural birth, when to go to hospital, contractions, and the different labor positions.  I really didn’t know there were so many different labor positions! I always thought most people were laying down having a baby. If you are delivering naturally (no epidural), then multiple labor positions are an option.

The breastfeeding class was actually our favorite class. They covered a lot of material and had some very good information in the class. I would recommend this class if mother’s were planning to breastfeed.

Overall, the classes allowed for my wife and I to bond during our pregnancy. We had many laughs in pregnancy/labor class because we found out that we cannot relax like normal people :) Maybe it was because I was cracking jokes during this relaxation time!

CF Clinic

Do any of you feel when you go to your CF clinic its like a trip?

For me, it always feels that way.  My clinic is an hour away in the city which always has outragous traffic. So the drive alone to actually get to the doctor and back home is at minimum 2 hours. Throw in another hour on top of that to see the Dr. and have a PFT.  OK, enough of my time commitment story.  I am sure others are in the same boat as me.

Yesterday was a big day for me.  The day was very busy since it was my wife’s birthday and CF clinic day.  I was hoping for an excellent report from the Dr. as I wanted to give Maria a gift of my good health. (For those of you who did not read my prior post, yes my wife is awesome and suggested that I go to the doctor on her birthday)  

As always, my weight is stable actually I gained two pounds. I now weigh 166 lbs. and I do not want to gain any more.  It must be that sympathy pregnancy weight gain that I am experiencing.  I know I am a lucky CFer because there are many of you who struggle to maintain weight but not this guy.  I actually once was on a diet with the wife. Yes, a CFer on a diet I know it sounds really odd.

On to my lung health.  The doctor listened to my lungs and he said I sounded EXCELLENT. There was no crackling or rattling in those wind bags. I also asked what bacteria was in my last culture. I have been culturing the same bugs for awhile now. Staph and Acinetobacter (it has a longer name) are my bacteria friends.  Some of you may wonder what about Pseudomonas aeruginosa? I have cultured Pseudomonas a few times but have not seen this bacteria in a while (Doesn’t mean that its still not in my lungs). My doctor believes that the acinetobacter has killed my previous Pseudomonas bacteria .  I know many of you who get Pseudomonas get it and never can get rid of it.  I thought I was going to be in this same boat with Pseudomonas.  Whatever it is I just thank God it has not returned!

Now time for that good old PFT box. Since adding HTS to my airway clearance I have been praying that this would improve my PFT score. I have been using HTS for a month and a half now and yesterday was the true test.  The last time I was at the CF clinic my PFT FEV1 score was 68. I have been blowing around 65-68 the last year or so.  I was really nervous and excited to have a test yesterday.   The highest score that I blew was a 72! 

I’m OK with the results because it shows that my lungs are going in the right direction. Just maybe this salty mist is working for me. I truly feel I could actually get this value higher. To be honest I think technique plays a major factor in this test and also the person who administers the test.  Yesterday, I had my not so favorite respiratory therapist administer the test.   Back to my technique, I always feel like I am straining my vocal chords/throat!!  Anyone else?

PFT’s have always been a challenge for me.  I think the biggest obstacle for me, is I focus so much on the score compared to how I actually feel.  My doctor has told me before that the PFT is just one part of the puzzle when putting together my health plan.  But for me I just focus so much on this score and I really do get depressed when I feel my numbers should be higher.  

Yesterday, was different for me. I was not depressed.  No medicines were prescribed and I received a good report from the doctor.  I think I am more optimistic for my next PFT test because I feel I can increase my score with more HTS in my airway clearance in the coming months.   How do my other cyster’s and fibro’s feel about PFT’s?

Birthday Time!

I just want to take this opportunity to wish my beautiful wife HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I could truly write a book about how amazing you are and how you have shaped my life for the better.  I will keep this post short and sweet!

I cannot wait to see and witness the start of this year for you. In the coming months you will officially be a mom!  Our daughter is going to be one lucky girl to have a wonderful mother in her life.

I have mentioned this before but being in a relationship with someone who has a chronic illness takes a very special person.  I thank god everyday for giving me you in my life.  To demonstrate an example of how awesome my wife is she said to me a few weeks ago "Isn't it time for you to go to your CF appointment".  I said "Yes, I need to schedule an appointment".  Maria knew that I was taking the day off work for her birthday and she suggested that I make my appointment on her birthday.  I responded, "Are you sure you want to go to the clinic on your birthday?" She insisted that I go to the doctor.  What a wife thats all I can say!  She is so unselfish always putting others first in her life. This never goes unnoticed Maria.

A wife like you is the frosting on the birthday cake of life!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA, I Love U!

Do you love or hate that salty mist?

 Yes,  you guessed it this post is about Hyper Tonic Saline (HTS).   For all my non CF readers, HTS is a sterile salty solution that is inhaled while doing airway clearance.  Because CF airways lack salt and water, researchers believed that HTS would help clear the thick mucus from the lungs.  I BELIEVE THEY ARE RIGHT!!!

Before I talk about HTS and my CF I would like to digress.  I love the ocean but I didn’t really realize why I loved it so much. Of course I loved vacationing to the beach for  obvious reasons. #1 reason to go to the beach, to see my girlfriend in a bikini. Yes that girlfriend is now Maria :)  (Smile as you read this babe!)

To be honest, every year I felt better for that week we would stay at the ocean. I was able to clear more mucus out of my lungs easier and in general I felt my breathing was better. I never really understood why this was though. Maybe it was because there was less stress on vacation or more time for me to sleep in. Generally a little more sleep makes me feel better.  Before Maria and I were married we considered moving to the coast to take advantage of how different I felt.  Well that didn’t happen though as family would be hours away.

After vacation, when I went to my CF clinic I would tell the Dr. how different I felt when I was at the ocean. He assured me it was probably due to the salty air. Hmm, I guess this makes sense doesn’t it.

So the years passed and then recently at my past clinic visit my Dr asked me do you breath in HTS? I responded no I do not. He said well I think you should experiment with this to see how you feel. I was hesitant at first because I have heard and read how some CFers do not like HTS at all. Some of the reasons are its irritating to the throat, makes me cough to no end, and triggers hemoptysis (coughing blood).

Well I have been using HTS for close to 2 months now.  When I go back to my clinic this coming Monday I will have this to say…. I LOVE HTS!!!  I love this salty mist for many reasons. I could go on and on about it but here are a few of them.  I feel that my airway clearance has improved 10 fold with HTS. I produce more mucus than ever before while doing my vest. One of the great things about HTS is that you can inhale this while doing your vest. So no extra time is required for this medicine.  Overall, I feel that my lungs feel healthier.  A couple weeks ago my mom mentioned to me what happened to your cough? I haven’t heard you cough all day.  She asked me is it because of the HTS you have been doing?  I responded yes it is mom and I love it.  It is great that people even notice that I cough less!!!

Have any of you CFer’s experienced chest tightness? I experience this in the morning for some odd reason but after starting HTS I have really eliminated the tightness. I will still feel tightness in the morning but after doing my vest and HTS its gone for the entire day!

So now for the negatives……Well I really do not have anything negative to say about my new friend, Mr. Salty mist. I do not have any of the common side effects like a  soar throat or hemoptysis. I guess for me the worst part of it is the nebulizer’s need to be sanitized every use. I feel like I am boiling these neb cups every other day but oh well I love how this drug makes me feel.

For any CFer who is not using this as a part of airway clearance, the next time you are at clinic ask about HTS.  I love HTS as you can tell and I do not miss a single treatment of it. I cannot wait to see what my pulmonary function test scores are this coming Monday!!

For my cysters and fibros out there what are your thoughts on HTS?  Has it improved how you feel and your PFT scores?

Wish I was here now!

Pregnancy: Final Trimester

I wish I had started this blog months ago so I could have documented week by week our pregnancy journey but oh well.  So better late than never!  

How far along:  Yes, it’s the final trimester!!! We are currently in week 28. Less than 100 days.  If you want me to be exact 83 days to go according to a baby app that I have on my I phone. I cannot believe it that we have made it this far.  I told the wife I can still remember the day that little embryo was transferred.

How big:  According to the baby app…..She now weighs 2.25 lbs like a Chinese cabbage and measures almost 15 inches from head to toe.  I think Maria would beg to differ on this. She really thinks Alayna is going to be a big baby!!!

Developments and Milestones:  Alayna can now blink her eyes and she has eye lashes. She also has developed her eyesight and now may be able to see the light that filters through the womb.  Has anyone ever shined a flashlight on the belly to see if the baby moves? I heard of people doing this. We will be trying the flashlight exercise sometime soon.  Her brain is also developing billions of neurons and adding body fat in preparation for the outside life.  Other impressive talents she has mastered include dreaming, coughing and better breathing!!! Wow, so that little girl in there is dreaming?!? Lets hope she is not having nightmares!!!

A big milestone this week is if she were to be born this week though premature she would have an excellent prognosis because her lungs have reached the point of maturity for the most part. But with this said Alayna please stay in there for another 12 weeks because you still need to develop and mature. There is no better place to grow and develop than in your mom’s womb!!

What Mom and Dad Notice:  We have noticed her moving for a few weeks now but it seems she is getting bigger as these movements feel stronger.  It seems as though she has developed a sleep pattern also. She is less active as Maria sleeps which is a good thing.  We both agree that there is no better feeling than feeling this little baby move!  This has been my wife’s favorite part of pregnancy and mine too.

This is a recent picture of Maria she is all belly. Alayna is just sticking straight out!!!

I have heard a saying about mom’s having girls. “A baby girl will steal the mother’s beauty”.  I may be biased but I do not see this saying remaining true here. You are GORGOUES pregnant!!!!