We left off with life being jealous of my finding a wonderful relationship.
The month of April found me preparing for end of year testing, but sadly feeling horrible health wise. I was scared the pneumonia had flared up again. Back to instacare I went and so we find ourselves at WOW moment number 5. An x-ray of my lungs showed no change whatsoever after 2 prescriptions. As the doctor left I found myself sitting in the room alone with a paper of names of specialists that I needed to see immediately. A quote from the nurse is "You really need to see someone because you have a whole lot of I don't even know what in there." Thanks, that's really comforting.
WOW moment 6 is slightly lengthy, but mind blowing to say the least. I met with a specialist and after more medical tests than I could imagine, I was given a diagnosis. I had a heart ultrasound, 2 ct's of my chest, and a full panel of blood work done. The doctor asked if I could come in the next day to discuss results. I was presented with the diagnosis and was stunned. There was no history of this in my family and frankly, trying to hold in my emotions while talking to the doctor was becoming more difficult. The next step was presented and away I went. Three tests later, including a sweat test at primary childrens hospital, I had a confirmed diagnosis. At the age of 22 I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. If you aren't cautious it can be life threatening. At this moment in time I was struggling with the now what, but I didn't stay in that moment for long. I now am a patient at the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic housed at the University of Utah Hospital. The only C.F. certified clinic in the surrounding 4 states. I have a nebulizer, a nifty machine that delivers medication through a compressor and I breathe in the mist, a breathing resistance tube to help clear my lungs, and enzymes to take when I eat to help me actually absorb nutrients. It has taken some getting used to, but for the most part its going alright.
There are still days when it's overwhelming and tough to breathe. C.F. brings the lovely symptoms of arthritis, digestive issues, a higher than normal chance to get sick and develop lung infections, and the lovely statistic that 1 in 5 women with C.F. can't have kids. The highlight of all of this is how great I've done in life despite having this since I was born. I have a college degree, a career, friends, and basically a life. Most adults diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis have about 50% of their lung capacity left due to scarring from previous sicknesses. I still have 81% go me.
So, here I am, using summer vacation to recoup and get used to my new routines. I have to put more focus on myself and let myself take things at a slower pace while my body heals. Something I struggle with. We all take different roads through life and this is my bumpy one. I am grateful for my family and support system who stand beside me and help me when I feel like continuing on is just too hard. So everyone take a second to hug your lungs. Its hard to imagine how much they do for you until they can't preform their proper functions. Be careful out there people, and don't laugh at me when I have to wear a mask to my doctor visits.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
The "WOW" moments of Life
Throughout life we have those moments that all we can say is "WOW". Whether it is seen to add or detract from our lives, we have these moments. Moments that change the course of our life unlike any event that has happened before. This year has held many of these moments for me. Not all of them have put a smile on my face. To back up slightly, at the start of my second year of teaching, I was surplussed. WOW moment number 1. This means there weren't enough kids to keep me at my school so I was transferred to a school that didn't have enough teachers. I had one day to tear down the classroom I had just spent a month setting up, and one day to set up my new classroom. Leaving my kindergarteners was heartbreaking. Parents and students cried. Though thankfully, my new school was very welcoming and accommodating. I went back to first grade so at least I was familiar with the curriculum. This should have been a sign that this year was going to change my life in more ways than one.
So, the adventure started of getting a class 4 weeks into the year, trying to wipe their minds of all previous management skills and teach them mine. Throughout the year I had 11 students move in and out. The highest turn-over rate of any class in my school. I feel like I should have received a prize. And no, they didn't move out because they were scared of me. All students who moved out gave me a big hug and said they didn't want to leave.
At the start of November I moved to a new apartment and found what I thought was a lovely young lady to take over my lease. Jump ahead to January and this same lovely girl ditched out on rent, trashed the room she was in leaving illegal narcotics in the apt., provided an opportunity for the apartment to get robbed, and left me paying double rent until March. WOW moment number 2. Though I want to see the best in people, I have now learned to be more cautious.
Fast forward to March. In addition to the typical challenges of teaching, my health was crap this year. I was sick so often it was hard to feel like myself at all. One morning I got to school with alarming chest pain and difficulty breathing. Paramedics and EMT's later I was allowed to leave the principals office and head to instacare. An X-ray later I was diagnosed with double lung pneumonia. WOW moment number 3. Off to the pharmacy I went to fill 2 prescriptions and rest at home. Back to work after only 4 days of meds was not the smartest idea. I was very weak, but hoped my students would be helpful. They were their resilient selves and didn't leave much time to recoup. After finishing taking my meds, I was feeling good. Starting to get my energy back and not coughing so much.
WOW moment number 4 happened when I was least expecting as often WOW moments do. I met a man who is spectacular. I could not even dream of a man more thoughtful, caring, attentive, and kind. Though life tried its best to make this WOW moment fleeting, our relationship is still going strong. You'll find evidence of life being jealous and trying to end it in just a second.
So, the adventure started of getting a class 4 weeks into the year, trying to wipe their minds of all previous management skills and teach them mine. Throughout the year I had 11 students move in and out. The highest turn-over rate of any class in my school. I feel like I should have received a prize. And no, they didn't move out because they were scared of me. All students who moved out gave me a big hug and said they didn't want to leave.
At the start of November I moved to a new apartment and found what I thought was a lovely young lady to take over my lease. Jump ahead to January and this same lovely girl ditched out on rent, trashed the room she was in leaving illegal narcotics in the apt., provided an opportunity for the apartment to get robbed, and left me paying double rent until March. WOW moment number 2. Though I want to see the best in people, I have now learned to be more cautious.
Fast forward to March. In addition to the typical challenges of teaching, my health was crap this year. I was sick so often it was hard to feel like myself at all. One morning I got to school with alarming chest pain and difficulty breathing. Paramedics and EMT's later I was allowed to leave the principals office and head to instacare. An X-ray later I was diagnosed with double lung pneumonia. WOW moment number 3. Off to the pharmacy I went to fill 2 prescriptions and rest at home. Back to work after only 4 days of meds was not the smartest idea. I was very weak, but hoped my students would be helpful. They were their resilient selves and didn't leave much time to recoup. After finishing taking my meds, I was feeling good. Starting to get my energy back and not coughing so much.
WOW moment number 4 happened when I was least expecting as often WOW moments do. I met a man who is spectacular. I could not even dream of a man more thoughtful, caring, attentive, and kind. Though life tried its best to make this WOW moment fleeting, our relationship is still going strong. You'll find evidence of life being jealous and trying to end it in just a second.
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