Friday News

I am headed to the lake tonight for hopefully a nice and relaxing weekend. I was wrong about not getting a day off from classes for the 4th holiday. I thought our professor had July 5th on our syllabus, but he didn't, and he verified in class on Wednesday, that Monday is indeed a university wide holiday...YAY. So that means an extra day at the lake. Of course I have to take studying stuff with me. I've been spending the majority of my time studying Microbiology, that I haven't had time to do much for my online Developmental Psychology course. And I didn't do too hot on the last exam. So I will be catching up in this course at the lake. We have an exam due by Wednesday, a project due next Sunday, and a few other assignments. The professor uploads her lectures to the course website (since it is an online course). That is the only thing I don't like. Most of the lectures are 1 1/2 hrs to 2 hrs long and it is very hard for me to sit in front of my computer and listen to them. And then she adds all these extra videos for each unit, that in total, are at least an hour long. It is a lot of stuff, but I have to do better on this next exam, because I really want an "A" in this course.

For those of you who don't follow me on facebook, this past Monday, I got some wonderful news. I was selected to receive a full nursing school scholarship. I was 1 of 2 people and it is the best and highest scholarship the School of Nursing gives out. I was so happy, excited, shocked, etc. Totally unexpected. I was pretty sure that I would get some sort of scholarship, because the School of Nursing gives out a lot of money. I knew I had the GPA, resume, good essay, good recommendation letters, etc. But I also knew it was very competitive and we were told that probably 75% of this class met the requirements to apply for a scholarship. We had our 1st Nursing orientation session last Friday. We were told that they had extended the scholarship deadline and we would not find out if we were selected to get a scholarship until the 2nd week of August. Classes start the 3rd week, so as you can imagine, not too many people were happy about that. The particular scholarship that I'm being awarded requires the school to notify the recipients by June 30th. So that is why I found out sooner.

It is such a blessing and such an honor. I'm so thankful and really give God all the glory for this. Our family has been in some really tough financial situations lately. If there was not going to be scholarship money awarded, we were definitely going to have to take out loans. The scholarship may not cover all other expenses, and it does not cover the summer semester next year. But other than that, it funds the entire program and there are no requirements to keep the scholarship (such as GPA, etc.). This is such a blessing and took a huge burden off of my family and myself's shoulders. I had been applying for other scholarships (such as Solvay CF one, Boomer Esiason Transplant Grant, etc.) but had not heard back anything.

This summer is going by so fast, and before I know or realize it, I will be starting nursing school. YAY! Classes will be over the last week of July, with my last exam the 1st week of August. I'm hoping to fit some sort of mini vacation during my 2 week break before fall classes start.

I am babysitting tomorrow and next Friday. Then the next Friday, the 16th, I am taking the required CPR course for nursing school. So since I have classes 4 days a week, these next few weeks are going to be busy busy!

We had a really good CFF Young Professionals Board Meeting this past Tuesday. We are really excited to get this group up and going for our chapter. We have tried in the past, but the right people were not in the right place at that time. We are confident that the members on this board are very passionate about CF and really want to help find a cure. I was elected Secretary of the group, since I love taking notes, organizing, etc.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend!!!

Brief Update

Just when you think your life has calmed down....it gets crazy again :) Sorry for no blog posts like I had intended to do during my 3.5 week break from school/classes. I was busy volunteering with our CFF Chapter, busy preparing for my walk team, babysitting like crazy and then just daily life stuff like sleeping and eating :) I volunteered at our last local CF Great Strides Walk on Sunday. It was a hot day...a fun day, but it flat wore me out.

We did get to go to the lake over Memorial Day Weekend. Despite rain off and on, we had a good time, and Monday ended up being a pretty good day....which included some tubing...in which I am still completely sore and back pain city. Oh well!

Anywho...classes for the summer semester started back last Wednesday. I have classes 4 days a week...which is a bummer. Usually you can schedule your lab and lecture class on the same day. However, they did not give us that option this semester. And since it is a shorter semester than the fall or spring, we have lab class 2 days a week, whereas during the other 2 semesters, it is only 1 day a week. So needless to say, I'm busy again and back into studying already. We have our 1st Microbiology Lecture Exam next Monday (a week from today). I have found that I don't like the Microscope very well in laboratory...not very talented at looking at things. Hopefully that will improve. In addition to my Microbiology classes, I have an online Developmental Psychology Course.

I am babysitting occasionally on Fridays and weekends...although it has slowed down a lot compared to when I was off from classes for a few weeks. I am teaching Vacation Bible School next week in the mornings...and then I will venture to classes shortly after the kids leave. Usually you have 2 Adults/teachers in each class. But due to limited volunteers, I am on the only adult/teacher for 6 lovely (hoping lovely) 1 year olds Monday-Wed, and 7 lovely 1 year olds Thursday and Friday. I will have 1 teenager helping me. So I have to prepare a lot more than I usually do this week. Usually I just kind of swing it...look at lesson plans, activities, etc., as we go throughout the day. Not this time. Most of the kids are 1 1/2 -2 yrs old, but not yet officially turned 2 yrs. I'm excited, but it will be a crazy week!!!

Ok..due to limited available blogging time and me really needing my sleep lately...that is about all I can share tonight....other than 2 more quick things!

First...if you don't follow me on facebook...then you haven't yet heard...I got accepted into Nursing School. So yes, lots of stuff to do for that this summer as well. Classes will start in August..but there will be lots of info sessions, meetings, and other stuff to complete this summer. Nevertheless, I am thrilled and so excited! Please pray that my body/health will cooperate throughout the nursing program!

And one more prayer request: I am still having issues with my Blood Pressure. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this or how much detail I have discussed? I went off the Norvasc, as apparently it was causing my body to retain fluid badly...and I mean seriously...I gained 7 lbs of fluid in my tummy and feet/ankles. It was awful. Upon determining that there was no more blood clots in my feet, the Norvasc was stopped, switched to HCTZ and Lasix for 3 days. I peed off the fluid eventually, but now the fluid is coming back into my tummy off and on. Last week, between Tuesday night and Wed night, I had gained another 4 lbs of fluid, but yet lost it at the end of the week...and the cycle continues. My BP has dropped somewhat, but I continue to have very high peaks (150s/100s) and on average, it is still running in the high 120s/mid 130s over 80s-90s, with the occasional peaks. Please pray that we can get this under control!

Off to bed and will hopefully post more soon. Sorry for the long post...but if I don't do it all at once, it won't get done.

Week Wrap-Up

Wow...it has definitely been a crazy and hectic week....good things and bad things! I know I did a few posts earlier in the week, but am now just going to briefly wrap up the week!!!

As most of you know, Richard McCulley passed away Wednesday morning at 12:26am. He was 47 years old and had CF. However, cancer was what took him home to the Lord, and not his CF! Please continue to keep his wife Kori and their 2 boys in your prayers. Richard is no longer in any pain and is rejoicing with his Lord and Savior in Heaven. Brandi and I attended his visitation and funeral services Friday night and Saturday. It was very nice and very well attended! Kori seems to be doing pretty well. Thank you all for your support for them over these last few hard months. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the McCulley Trust Fund, which can be found on their blog (if you have access to it-the blog is set to private). If you do not have access, please let me know and I can get you more information!

We had a family friend pass away this past week as well, and another in the hospital with a shattered shoulder, and possible bone cancer!

I have not been feeling good this week, and really, it hasn't gotten much better. Although I've been very busy these last few days. You can read how my clinic appointment went on Wednesday, here. I did attend class Wed night after clinic (5:30-10pm). It was a LONG night, but glad I was able to make it through! And for those of you that had been reading my updates on my friend Tony, who was transplanted about 5 weeks ago, he is doing exceptionally AWESOME!!! I've seen him several times over the last few weeks at clinic and other places. He also spoke at Richard's funeral on Saturday, and did a great job! He is feeling so great and is happy to get back to daily life with his wife and son!!! God is definitely amazing!

Thursday, my friend Katy from Texas, and I were able to spend some time at our lake house. Although the weather wasn't too great towards the end of the day, we still had a great time. We were able to tube for a little while (which I was glad because I haven't "tubed" all summer). She stayed with me Wed night through Friday morning!

In addition to the funeral yesterday, we also had our annual CF gala! As you all know, I'm very involved with the CF Foundation and try to be at every event possible. So as soon as the funeral was over, I high-tailed it back to Birmingham and arrived to help with our gala about 5:00. It was a great night, and I think everyone had a great time. It was a crazy night as well, as we were short MANY volunteers. Due to the other 2 Alabama-CFF employees being out of town, I was really 2nd in charge of activities throughout the night and keeping everything in line. So I was basically running around like crazy with my head-cut off! But hey...I always enjoy doing it!!! I will post pictures and more info about the actual event later in the week. I didn't get to take a lot of pictures, since I didn't have the time, but I did take a few. I think we (myself, our CF chapter director and our Chairman of the board) left the venue about midnight. After getting home, unloading, and eating, I think I went to sleep about 2:30am! I slept til 1:00 this afternoon...YIKES!! That was definitely not planned, but I know I needed the sleep!

Tomorrow I start back work at Sweet Pea (my usual Fall/temporary job until December). I love this job and are excited to be going back. If you have never checked out our stationery products, I highly recommend it. We have some awesome designs!!! I love all of them (although they aren't the cheapest, they are extremely good quality and professional looking). I've been used to not working the entire summer, and I know it will take a little while to get adjusted to working again. I haven't decided on my hours yet, as it will still be part time (probably around 30 hrs) for right now! I need to have a little time to study for my classes too!!

Well, I think that's basically the week in review! I hope everyone has had a great week and weekend! I've got another busy week ahead of me, and are praying I start feeling better SOON!! I will probably make a call into my transplant coordinator tomorrow. I was supposed to call her Thursday, but wasn't able to!

R.I.P. Richard/Clinic Update

As Kori stated: Richard graced the gates of Heaven today at 12:26 A.M. Since I was at clinic early this A.M., I found out right away...around 7:00. Please keep Kori and the family in your prayers! Since Kori and Richard lived locally to me, I will be going to the funeral this Saturday and possibly visitation on Friday.

Clinic Update: Well, I managed to escape Club Med, but only slightly! I came home with inhaled TOBI and oral Cipro to try and knock this infection out! My PFT's were down about 7-8% (41/39); my WBC count was down to 2.3 (last time it was 5.8), my creatnine was high (1.4, and I usually run 0.8 or 0.9), and I have lost about 8 pounds...not good! So the culprit...some sort of infection. Hopefully these two strong abx will knock it out! If i'm not better by the 1st of next week, well, then you can probably finish that sentence! NO TIME TO GET SICK...work, class, TOO much to do and it's only been 1.5 months since my last admission!

It's been a LONG morning! I didn't get out of clinic until about 11:30. I'm now home..planning on taking a nap before class at 5:30 until 9:50. A friend of mine from Texas is staying with me tonight and tomorrow night. We have plans to go to the lake tomorrow, although my coordinator wants me resting ONLY and not tubing or water skiing. So we'll see. She didn't want me to go to class either, but tonight is our first lab class, and I really can't afford to miss it. If it wasn't the 1st class, I probably would opt to stay home! I'm supposed to start work back on Friday (more info in a post to come), but may postpone it til Monday due to being sick and the funeral/visitation for Richard. We have our annual CFF Gala Saturday night as well (which I know I will be out from about 4:30 to midnight volunteering).

Background Change

Ok, so I've changed the background of my blog to the striped background! The majority of the comments liked the stripes and would prefer to see the stripes! So let me know what you think and if you ONLY view the stripes! Some people (as well as me) were concerned that NOT having the solid pink background break up the stripes and the blog would leave the background too busy! But I think it's ok with me! Hope you like it! I can always change it back!

The weather isn't looking so hot here today, so we've decided not to go to the lake!

Lake/Week Wrap-Up

I know I haven't posted much this week...sorry! I just haven't had much to post on =)

I did finally get some lake time in today! The water is finally working. For those of you that have read my previous posts or follow me on facebook, our water pressure has been acting up at our lake house. We've tried to go down for the last 3 weekends, and each time, we haven't had any water. It's not completely fixed, but is working enough! My Mom and I went down yesterday evening! Today was such a beautiful day. The sky was clear and so blue! Very little clouds! Very hot, but a small breeze! We really enjoyed the time together too, which included a nice hour-long boat ride! I hated that we had to come back tonight, but my Uncle is having his 70th b'day part tomorrow! I definitely want to be there...and plus, I need to be at church in the morning!

This past week has been pretty layed back. I did get to visit a CF friend of mine who is currently in the hospital on Thursday for a long while. She is getting evaluated for transplant, so I had a nice visit with her and her Mom! I also ate lunch with some of my nurse friends from HTICU on Thursday! The week included one night of babysitting, a few PT appointments for my back, and running some errands. I did cancel my dentist appointment from this past Monday due to no energy and too tired to get out of bed =) It's rescheduled for the 27th!

My back is still in major pain, but I think it is on its way to getting better....at least praying that it is! I really need it to be LOTS better....basically a healing miracles before my trips coming up! I've also been really exhausted, and very little energy! I'm probably going to start on Cipro antibiotic this coming week just as a precaution! We all know that when I get really busy and "overdo" myself, the outcome isn't all that great! So we'll see!

I hope everyone has had a great week!! I will have lots more to post on next week (or that's the plan)! I have to start getting ready/prepared for San Francisco!

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?

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!

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!

Lake

I'm off to the lake in just a little while. I'm just staying through tomorrow. Coming back tomorrow night so I can go to church Sunday! Praying for nice weather!!! I will not be taking my computer, so I will update and catch up on everyone else's blogs when I return! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

It's Official!

I got my diploma in the mail yesterday (Wed)...YAY!!! It's still weird to think I've actually graduated and have a degree (and can make money with it). And they got the correct honors on the diploma as well: Magna Cum Laude...which I'm siked about!! Maybe I will post a picture later!!

I opened up my passport...and it looks pretty cool as well!

I'm also finally filling out my application for nursing school (or rather, pre-nursing) tonight or tomorrow!!

I'm going to the lake with some friends on Saturday....so I'm praying I will be FULL of energy and feel really good! I made a Target run today and I had an appointment for my back. Today was the first day I've been out and about, run errands, drove a car, etc. in about 16 days!!

More updates and info to come later!

Off to the lake....

I'm leaving for the lake and will be there through Monday evening! I'm excited and are praying for some good sunny weather! I'm sick...which is a bummer..trying to fight it off myself with the little-almost non-existent-immune system I have. I will tentatively be going to clinic next Wednesday if I don't get better over the weekend...with strict instructions to call my coordinator if I get worse before then!

No blogging until I return from the lake (although I do have one scheduled for Monday...hint)!

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend! Be SAFE!

Saturday

Sorry I haven't blogged anymore this week. Things have been crazy!! In Alabama it is now Saturday morning at 12:48 A.M. My mom and I are going to the lake today to spend the day. I hope to just enjoy the weather, sun, and relaxation.

It has been a rough week as far as feeling good. I'm continuing to experiences sinus issues along with extreme wheezing and some coughing. And like usual, I haven't gotten much sleep either this week.

I've had a lot of school work due this week, including quizzes, clinical class, and an SGA meeting. I have 2 more tests next week along with 3 more assignments due.

So in all in all, it has been a very busy and tiring week. But I am looking forward to the weekend!

I promise to update again soon. I have my photo sessions again next Wednesday and Thursday, so if I'm not feeling MUCH better, I will approach my transplant coordinator about that.

I also have several other exciting things happening next week, which I will share on a later post. I need to get some sleep now!!

Have a good weekend!!

Lake Pictures

Here are some pictures from the lake this past weekend. Make sure to enlarge the pictures so you can see the crazy faces! We had so much fun tubing!!





This is a picture of me skiing. It was so rough out there because of the wind,so I could only last for so long. In addition, skiing physically wears me out, but I LOVE it. My mom took a lot of video and only a few snapshots. This was the only one that turned out. Maybe I'll figure out how to post a video.



These are of me and my friend Jessica.

Better

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am feeling better...thanks for your prayers. I went to the lake Friday evening and just got back a little while ago. We had a great time and great weather! I'll post some pictures later!

I did have a very bad case of vertigo Thursday-Saturday. I think I must have had fluid in my ear since I had a sinus infection going on. That was the only thing I could attribute it to. It was the worst dizziness I've ever experienced and could hardly stand up straight. My head felt like it was swimming constantly. However, it was a lot better on Sunday and it is gone today. PRAISE GOD!! I got to enjoy most of the weekend!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe labor day holiday! I will post again in the next few days. I'm going to take it easy tonight. I am back at work in the morning, then have a photo session tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Up-date

So yesterday (Wednesday) I felt really bad, really sick. I had an ENT appointment as well. Overall, it went pretty well. I do have a sinus infection with some edema and mucous in my sinuses. But he said they looked pretty good. He gave me 6 days of abx. He did a culture to see what bacteria was growing and to see what abx I am sensitive to. I should know the results by next Tuesday. Other than that, I spent the rest of Wednesday in bed or scrapbooking (Wednesdays are my days off work and my clinicals don't start for another 2 weeks). I called my transplant coordinator to check and see if they were having clinic next week and told her I might need to come. So I'm on the schedule for next week. I had (and still have) an appointment the following week (the 10th). Unless I don't feel better over the weekend, I will keep that appointment.

I felt better today and did go to work, but didn't get much sleep last night. I've also been dizzy a good part of the day for some reason too. In addition, I have not eaten breakfast or dinner (meaning a meal..i've had a few snacks) the past 4 nights. So I'm off to bed to hopefully get some rest. I am actually going to the lake tomorrow after work until Monday night. I'm praying we have beautiful weather and I can just enjoy laying out in the sun and maybe doing some water sports if I feel like it.

I will update probably either Monday night or Tuesday. I have another photo session next Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Labor Day Holiday!

A little drained!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I went to the lake for the 4th holiday and have been gone since Thursday early morning. While I had an AWESOME time, I am a little drained and tired. I haven't done that much physical activity in a LONG time. Usually when I go to the lake (yes, we have a lake house), I relax, ride in the boat and just layout. I haven't tubed, skiid, etc. in a long time.

I also start my job tomorrow, so I'm going to take it easy the rest of the night! It may be a few days before I post again. I've got a lot of school work due this week as well and a LONG clinical day on Wednesday.

I'm also changing the look of my blog, and it should be up and running in the next day or two.

I hope everyone had a great holiday!