Babies

Update: The babies are still alive. My mom and I walked over next door (the family is out of town) in the backyard to see if we could find one. I found one near the back of the fence. Mom picked him up but then the baby jumped out quickly and to a nearby tree. I followed him and found the other 2 babies. They all 3 look alive and well. No Mama in site and no 4th bunny. I'm not positive there is a 4th one since I never saw it last night. The babies are actually pretty camouflaged up against the ground. My mom went to leave some carrots, lettuce, etc. by the in case Mama had abandoned them! But our neighbors had already left a head of cabbage. I've added a few more pictures at the end of this post with all 3 babies!

Original: Apparently we have baby rabbits in our backyards. Or rather jointly shared between our backyard and our neighbors backyard. Yesterday, as our neighbor was cutting his grass, he saw one of the babies run right in front of him. The kids rang our doorbell and showed us 1 baby rabbit. About 10 minutes later they come back with 2 more baby rabbits. Apparently, there are 4 baby rabbits. I saw the Mommy rabbit in our backyard last night, probably looking for her babies. So I convinced the kids next door to let them go back in their "hole." When I woke up this morning, the kids were in our backyard. Anyway...they are so precious and cute!!!

I'm a little worried about them surviving in the "wild." We have multiple "neighborhood" cats that roam around in our yard all the time. And there is no way those little babies can escape or outrun the cats.

I think this is the Momma!

Baby bird (Robin) who fell out of the nest :(

I am going to check on the babies again tomorrow!

Newborn Screening in all 50 States!!!

All Fifty States to Screen Newborns for Cystic Fibrosis by 2010 as of yesterday, July 7th!

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced today that all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have passed legislation requiring that all newborns be screened for cystic fibrosis (CF) by the year 2010.

Newborn screening for CF was adopted nationwide at a rapid pace, following the aggressive advocacy efforts of the Foundation, its volunteers and many local and national interest groups. In 2005, only five states required that CF be included as a mandatory screening condition.

After years of debate, Texas and Connecticut — the last two states without mandatory newborn screening — will now establish programs. Connecticut will begin screening Oct. 1, 2009, and Texas is expected to start in December.

“Newborn screening is critically important for this disease because early diagnosis is tied to better health. Research shows that newborn screening for CF likely improves and extends the lives of those born with the disease. Early diagnosis allows affected infants to begin therapeutic interventions immediately. Early treatment has been shown to improve height, weight, nutrition, cognitive and lung functioning, and to reduce hospitalizations. We extend our thanks to every volunteer and advocate who fought to establish screening programs across the country.

Click here to read the full article/press release!! This is a HUGE accomplishment in the CF Community!

Healthcare Summit

Last night, one of our local Congressman hosted a "Healthcare Summit."

The focus of the summit was a panel discussion featuring representatives from state agencies, the healthcare, business, and not for profit sectors to get their feedback on the pending healthcare legislation and their thoughts on the issue. The general public was invited to the event and was able to participate in a question and answer session following the roundtable discussion.

I went along with our CFF staff! We also had a member from our CFF board. We had submitted a few questions via email (as requested) prior to the event; but of course they didn't get around to our questions.

As you know, there is currently no governmental funding for CF! In addition (this was new to me), families and individuals with CF who are on SSI, are not allowed to participate in CF clinical trials. Right now, this is a big focus of legislation, allowing these individuals to be able to participate in CF clinical trials. The CFF feels that if we can get this legislation passed, it will help lead to more funding for CF. Our (CFF) purpose or intended focus for attending this discussion was to ensure that research would continue. This Healthcare Reform Bill is not necessarily addresses the governmental funding aspect. However, we don't want funding to certain hospitals (which then fund our research centers) to be cut back because of having to provide access for healthcare coverage to every citizen. As one panelist mentioned, prevention is a key to controlling healthcare costs. And for the CF Community, prevention includes research and clinical trials.

The overall experience was very interesting. I'm not sure if it was that beneficial for the "CFF" to attend. I have taken an interest in healthcare and how the state and federal governments are involved within the last couple of years. Mainly because it greatly affects me personally, and I am also in the healthcare field for my career (HIM and Nursing). Healthcare Insurance Coverage is a big issue for CF patients and chronically ill patients. So it is definitely interesting to see what this new Healthcare Reform Bill entailed. The U.S. Congress and Senate will be voting on this Health Reform Bill in August. And this Healthcare Summit (or debate/discussion) was to allow our Congressman to listen to "his people" and their opinions on the legislation. This particular Congressman is on several healthcare reform committees, including the House Ways and Means Committee (which has tax-writing powers) a vote in the new legislation and overall a very big pull in our nation's healthcare.

I can't say I disagree with everything in this proposed legislation, but I can't say that I agree with everything either. There are some good aspects of it and some not-so-good aspects. As most CFers know, universal healthcare coverage is NOT good for us or for chronically-ill patients (including post-transplant patients like myself). While I want everyone to have access to healthcare coverage, I am also concerned for myself and want what is best for me as well as the CF Community. And that's very hard. It's very hard to know where you stand on every healthcare issue; and it's hard to "not want" something because it will directly affect you (or me) in a not-so-good way, but might help others. A lot of the information discussed was WAY over my head. But a lot of it was not; and I feel like I understood the gist of the legislation and discussion. I'm not going to go into major details....but one point that the legislation (or Healthcare Reform Bill) addresses is that Insurance Companies can no longer deny coverage to someone based on his or her healthcare status. This is huge for me personally and for CF patients. Probably the biggest debate of this Reform Bill is a "public option (or plan)." And over the next 3 weeks, the House will be discussing that in Washington. Right now, this proposed Healthcare Reform Bill is to be voted on by August 13 (I believe). I recommend you looking into this legislation and contacting your Representative if possible to voice your opinion.

The challenge, according to this Congressman, is figuring out how to expand coverage, contain costs and preserve choice for individuals. The "choice" for individuals is what will move us toward or forward to a universal healthcare system, according to several panelists at this discussion. Now, this Healthcare Reform Bill is NOT all about Universal coverage, but does address providing access to all individuals by some way or another (not necessarily via the public sector). This bill is 850 pages long and address a lot more specific topics (but in reality, all related to healthcare coverage access).

Sorry for the long post. I really do have a high interest in this topic and want to stand up for myself as well as the CF Community. People die from CF because they don't have healthcare coverage or insurance. It's a scary topic. If we eventually move to a Universal healthcare system, that could technically put my health in jeopardy as well as many other chronically-ill patients. So I really encourage you to take interest in this issue and voice your opinion! I'm so glad I attended this event. In August, myself, two CF researchers/doctors, and a few of our CFF staff will be meeting with this particular Congressman to discuss healthcare coverage, funding, etc., directly related to CF.

Fireworks

I thought I would share a few pictures of the fireworks from Saturday night. The place where we were viewing them ended up having a few trees in the way...so it wasn't the best view. However, it was still great! And my pictures turned out pretty good.

Friday night my parents and I went to my cousins house for dinner and to play games! I had a great time at Brandi's party Saturday night and at the pool during the day! I hadn't been to a "party" in a long time...so it was good to go! I guess I wore myself out, because I slept the majority of the day yesterday!

I am babysitting all day tomorrow and Thursday! I haven't had much energy lately, so I'm not sure what's going on there. I don't know if it is related to my back pain or what? My wheezing is CRAZY too as well as being short of breath. Again, I'm not sure if the sob is related to my back pain or not? I might be calling my transplant coordinator this week to seek out her opinion and maybe go ahead and take the Cipro prescription my doctor gave me at clinic. I want to be feeling tip-top shape for my upcoming trips. I'm really out of shape....but can't do a whole lot of exercise due to back pain and pulled knee muscle.

We have a plumber coming to our lake house tomorrow...I'm praying that he can fix whatever the problem is, so we can get back to the lake this weekend!

Oh...and as soon as I have more info on the cat or when we get her, I will post that info!!

Happy 4th and SURPRISE

Ok...so maybe I made out my surprise to be more than it really is. But to me, it is very exciting...to others, maybe not so. So sorry if I got your hopes up for nothing :) Anyway....my Dad came home the other night and started smiling and saying he had something important we had to decide on. Usually when he does this he is joking about something. But then he said he had a client (my Dad is a vet) that brought in a liter of kittens and asked us (my mom and I) if we wanted one??? I asked him if he was serious, and he said yes. The kittens are 8 weeks old and all 4 are girls. Two are Calico cats, one is black and the other is black-and-white. He thought we would want the black-and-white one since that is the color of our previous cat. But we said we really didn't care. Evidently the Calico kittens are a little better tempered than the black and white one. So as long as the kitten tests negative for everything and is "ok" we are getting a cat/kitten! YAY!! We could get the kitten as early as in a few days...just depending on how quick my Dad does the bloodwork and how quick the tests come back. (for post-transplant patients, you have to make sure a cat doesn't have toxoplasmosis, which is very dangerous for post-transplanters.) You don't know how excited I am. We had a cat previously: Mittens, who passed away summer of 2008. I loved her so much and we had her for 17 years....since I was about 6 or 7 years old. She was my baby. And I seriously didn't think my Dad would let us have another cat (especially before another dog....both of our dogs passed away last year too). So that's the surprise!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July! I'm hanging out at the pool with Brandi today, then she is having a pretty big party tonight. She has an awesome view of the fireworks display downtown Birmingham puts on every year! And then I'm supposed to go back tomorrow for some more pool time! We've been at the lake every single 4th of July for at least the last 6 years...so it's weird to actually be home (or in town)! But hopefully the water will be fixed, and back to the lake next weekend!

Oh..and did you see my 4th of July picture...very appropriate for my surprise, huh?

Advising Appt Update & SURPRISE!!!

I had my pre-nursing advising appointment yesterday and it went really well and quick. I basically just needed to confirm the pre-req classes I needed before entering the official nursing program. The advisor gave me some good suggestions and filled me in on a lot of other information. The only change in the pre-req classes from what I posted previously is....that I DON'T have to take any Chemistry. Apparently my Biology 101 class counts for the other Chemistry...I'm SO EXCITED!!! He had down that I needed a nursing statistics class. However, I told him I have already take a business statistics class AND healthcare applied statistics. So he is going to check and see if I can get out of that one. So then that just leaves 5 classes! He recommended me taking Anatomy this fall, Physiology in the Spring and Microbiology in the summer. I might be able to take Physio and Micro in the spring, but I will have to do some petitioning since Physio is a pre-req to Micro. We'll see! He told me my GPA was excellent, and from an academic standpoint, I shouldn't have any trouble getting excepted. But we will cross that bridge later (application isn't due until next April). The only other thing I need to do is get CPR certified by next August (which is no big deal..I've done if before). He was very very pleased with my background! It was a very helpful appointment! Now all that is left is for me to register (August 1st)!

I didn't get to meet with our CFF director today. I didn't sleep well last night and woke up late and my back is still in major pain. So I skipped out on it. We are meeting next Tuesday instead!

Ok...so now for my Surprise? Maybe I should tell you in a separate post? I know you are dying to know. Hmmm...let's see! Ok...how about I do a short post about it tomorrow (Saturday)? Yes, I'm going to make you wait! That just means you have to check back in and find out the surprise...it's a good one....promise!!!

Thursday/School Update/Misc

I haven't really had much to blog about this week! But I thought I would give a brief run-down of a few things. Today I have my pre-nursing advising appointment at 2:30pm. I'm really excited. I made a tentative schedule yesterday of my classes and times. I found out that "inorganic chemistry" is the same thing as "Intro to Chemistry I", which I have already had. So...YAY (or I think YAY). I shouldn't have to take that! So that eliminates one of the sciences I thought I had to take! It is very hard to schedule more than 1 science at a time and it not overlap another science. But as long as there are still openings when I register August 1st, I think it will work out. My plan is to take Organic Chemistry (aka Intro to Chemistry II) and Human Anatomy this fall! Then in the spring I will take Microbiology, Human Physiology and possibly either Nutrition or Developmental Psychology. Then next summer I will take the final class: either Nutrition or Developmental Psychology or both...just depending on the schedules for the spring and when they are offered.

I heard back from my aunt today about me being hired again for the fall! (for those of you that don't know, my aunt is the office manager at Sweet Pea Designs, and I have worked as a "temp" the last two years [July/August-December] during their "Christmas season.") I have been counting on returning this year, but wasn't sure due to the economy, etc. But she assured me they are hiring and that I am already hired if I want to. I probably won't start until September though due to business being really SLOW! That's ok with me though! So I mapped out my 2 science classes where I can still work part-time (or about 30 hours). It will be busy, but good busy! So I'm hoping and praying that the classes/times that I need will still be open when it's time to register! I will update on that later on!

I got some good news yesterday!! The credit union that I send my car payments to is offering all of their customers the chance to skip one payment this summer (either June, July, or August). I know this sounds silly to be excited over...but right now with me not working, I have no income and are hurting for money! So I get to skip my August payment!! YAY! That leaves me a little extra money for my two trips coming up!

I went walking with my Mom after dinner last night! (not far...just down our street and back). It hurt my back pretty bad, but was tolerable. I wore my knee brace, and it seemed to do pretty good, as well as the broken foot. But it felt good to do it! I worked up a sweat and some shortness of breath (which is good). I really need to get some aerobic/cardio exercise in! I plan on walking again tonight. I've got to get in better shape for my upcoming trips or I'm going to be in deep trouble...physically :) In addition, my tummy has decide to "bloat up", get "big"... whatever you want to call it. It's HUGE and hard and stretching! And I think it's adding extra pain to my back and rib cage. I'm not sure what's causing it as my eating is about the same. I haven't had this issue in about at least 6 months. Right now my guess is it is from the Prednisone. I'm keeping a watch on it and hope it will level off. That's why I want to walk too...too hopefully help that. If it doesn't get better in a few days, then I will be making a call!

I am also meeting with our CFF director today to finalize our CF Bowl for Breath event coming up in August. I'm helping coordinate it with her...very excited! We had a wrap-up dinner/ celebration Tuesday night for one of our local CF walks. We had an ok turnout.

Our plumbing at the lake is not going to be fixed in time for this weekend.... bummer! But we do have a guy coming next Tuesday and are praying he can fix it. If so, then I am so at the lake every weekend possible!!! Brandi is having a 4th of July party Saturday night and we are going to hang out at the pool at her condo earlier in the day...so hopefully it will be a great day! She has a great view of our downtown fireworks from her condo!

Ok...so that was a long post...I hope I didn't bore you too bad :) I hope everyone is having a great Thursday!

Artwork

Over the last couple of years, I've been "redoing" my room! We painted a little over a year ago. And I updated some of my furniture, including a new bedspread/comforter! I love the modern style. And I love chocolate brown, rustic colors, greens, etc. I had been looking for the "perfect" artwork piece(s) to go above my bed. I really hadn't found anything that I absolutely loved until the other day. And finally, my mom and I put it on the wall Sunday night! I really love it and thought I would share a picture with you!! The coating on the outside is actually sort of shiny (but is hard to tell in the pictures). I sort-of made up my bed, so you could see how it looks with my comforter. I do have a few green accents in my room (that is my accent color) in addition to the chocolate brown and tan/light wood-like colors). I did not have my pillow shams on my bed...sorry!

Music Monday

Finally...Music Monday! This song, "In Christ Alone" is by the Newsboys! We sang this song in church yesterday! And yes...I finally made it to church AND Sunday school! And man was it good to be back! This an awesome song and I LOVE singing it! The lyrics really speak the truth! Christ is my strength, my comforter, my all in all! Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me because of Jesus Christ! The wrath of God was fulfilled that day Jesus died on the cross. And because of that, we have the power of Christ within us. We fear no death, nor guilt. Our faith rests in Him and in Christ alone, I stand firm! God commands my destiny, and nothing will take me away from Him until he calls me Home! Christ is the beginning and the end! ENJOY!!

Lake is a no go!

Well, we got down to our lake house, and the water wasn't working. We had been having some problems, but thought it was fixable, so we went ahead and went. But whatever my Mom thought she could do to fix it didn't work. So we had to drive back...UGH!! I haven't had any lake time yet this summer. So frustrating! My Dad is going down in the morning to look at it (he has a fishing tournament tonight, so couldn't do it today). I'm not sure if I'm going to drive back down or not. My knee/leg is still really hurting, and I don't want to waste anymore gas either. It's only about a 45 minute drive,but still. So it looks like I'll be home again! Hopefully it will get fixed, because I'm planning on being there Thursday-Tuesday for the 4th holiday!