Cystic Fibrosis: Hope & Health

Getting ready for Christmas

2011-12-02T20:41:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone!

So the docs have blamed stress for any & all symptoms I've experienced. I guess that is the only explanation seeing as the ultrasound results came back completely normal. My yearly winter cough has arrived but thankfully I'm still sleeping through the night. Since my health has been so nutty lately I've also not returned to work. I know it's better for me this way but it's also sad. I LOVE Christmas (besides the fact that I get sick usually every time) but I'm hoping this year will be different! Great food, friends & family :D

Things that have kept my cough from getting worse:

Silver
MSM
Garlic oil pills
My supplement routine

My dad found some very interesting research when it comes to silver:

http://www.silverlungs.com/

Definitely going on my wish list!

I got the iPhone 4S!!! Its white & so beautiful! I love it!

Merry Christmas!

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Life Can Be Crazy

2011-09-15T16:46:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I've updated my blog. Honestly I was waiting for a positive pregnancy test before posting again, but since those are hard to come by & my life is exploding beyond my control I've decided to update anyways.

Lungs: had some rough days a few months back with chest pain but thankfully an x-ray came back clear.

GI: always a battle, lately with the help of activated charcoal & papaya enzymes it's been pretty good.

Pregnancy status: since my body is screwed up in almost every other way why not a little more craziness? Waiting on an ultrasound because even with blood & home pregnancy tests coming back negative my body doesn't seem to agree (see pic) and that is not the only symptom.

This is me telling my not so secret life issue, yes "time will tell" but man is the waiting annoying!

Good news: as soon as the iPhone 5 is out I'm getting one!

Fantastical Day

2011-04-29T00:07:00.001-05:00

First I'll address how CF clinic went...

I gained more weight!!!! How awesome is that? I'm now 55.5 kg or 122 lbs! The heaviest I've EVER been! So exciting!!! Perfect weight for wanting to start a family soon....

Since I mentioned THAT, I will also tell you that Abe was very brave and got a blood test to check if he's a CF carrier. We will hopefully find out in the next few weeks.

As you can see in the attached pic, my PFT's are pretty awesome, and they are up from last clinic.

We used this time in the city as an opportunity to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary, we will be married 1 year on May 1st.

We went to the mall to drop off our wedding rings to get Rhodium Plating done, then spent the next few hours going into stores and for the most part window shopping. Abe did buy me a summer shirt & we both got aviators! (pics on facebook on the album "♥ a year ♥")

Supper was spent at Mongo's Grill, its an amazing place! We will definitely be going there again.

It was a hugely fantastical day.

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Vitamin D Results!

2011-03-21T16:35:00.001-05:00

Normal vitamin D levels 75-250

My previous vitamin D results: 32

What I changed to improve it:

-70,000 iu's of D3 a week
-Tanning
Plus my multi vitamin

**My most resent results: 73!**

What I've added:

-Alfalfa

I retest in another 12 weeks.

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Saving Money with iHerb.com!

2011-03-03T18:45:00.001-06:00

http://www.iHerb.com

There are quite a few products I usually get from the health food store but recently I discovered iHerb.com and found a way to save over $40 per order!

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CF movie review: Jack & Jill vs. The World

2011-03-01T23:27:00.001-06:00

I started watching this movie with very little expectations. I've seen what Mercy & Grey's did with CF and I was not impressed, ya it helps raise awareness but seriously, they could have done a far better job IF THEY TRIED!

So... I was watching the movie... I started relating to Jill, her independence, her reluctance to share with new people about CF, I've been asked some of the questions they asked on there SO MANY TIMES! The struggle of telling the man you love your sick - been there, done that! I have to admit, my guy reacted WAY better, although at that time I might have left out the fatal part, he neglected to ask. After I got out of the hospital from a severe CF arthritis attack, months after we've been dating I broke down and told him EVERYTHING. He was awesome then too! :)

Anyways back to the movie! The one thing I had a problem with was her spending time in the hospital with another CF patient, IN THE SAME ROOM! but that is a minor compared to all the things they did right with the story, which was: the seriousness of the disease, the invisibility of CF (we don't look like we're sick), the coughing spells when we laugh really hard, the bunch of pills we have around, the amount of food we eat, the random hospital stays when we need a "tune up", the fighter spirit in all of us and the complete annoyance of people who don't take their health and lives seriously!

I would really love the people in my life to watch this movie, because I believe it will help them understand what my sisters (Aline & Kate) and I fight everyday.

P.S. Freddy Prince Jr. isn't bad to watch either, hehe.

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Book Update

2011-02-27T23:20:00.001-06:00

"Slow and steady wins the race". Well, I'm not sure what race my book would win lol but it is going slow and steady! Which means at some point it will be done. I still need an editor, English is not my forte.

Right now I am working on telling Abe's and my love story!

What I have completed is my regimen for staying healthy, my time doing Tae Kwon Do and any Journal entries that have to do with what I've written about... its sort of neat how its all working out.

I've dedicated an entire page on my CF website to my book, if you want to check it out go to: http://www.cfchampion.com/Book.html.

I think I would like to have most of my poems in the book, perhaps one as a precursor to each chapter...

Well theres my update!

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Waiting

2011-02-24T04:03:00.001-06:00

Seems like, at this point in my life waiting is the thing to do.

Waiting a couple more weeks to find out my blood test results, I really NEED my vitamin D to come back normal, better then normal would be ok too. Last time it was at 39 - acceptable numbers are 75-250.

Its been over 4 months of waiting for the high stress level to go down on some personal issues, I don't see it getting better anytime soon... I'm thankful for a supportive husband, great church and loving heavenly Father.

I really want a baby, so does my husband but we both want to be able to afford everything we'll need to raise a child.

Waiting is hard, trying to understand some of these things happening is even harder. At this point in my life my motto is "in everything give thanks".

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

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Saying No

2011-02-19T17:04:00.001-06:00

"Are you up to date on your vaccinations?" - no
"Can you quickly grab something from the entrance?" (that's almost as
cold as outside) - no
"Would you like a smoke?" - NO!
"Wanna eat?" - no, don't have my pills along
"Coffee?" - no, messes my stomach up to badly
"Smell this" - no, can't smell because of nasal polyps & 7 nose surgeries
"Are those drugs?" - no, I'm a health nut
"I guess you have a cold" - no, its called "Cystic Fibrosis"
"Are you trying to lose weight?" no, its hard to gain weight!

Most importantly, NO, I will not stop fighting for my health and what
I believe in. NO, I will not give up because of my family & friends
and NO, I will never forget all the CF warriors who have passed on!

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"Cystic Fibrosis" by Dr. Joel Wallach (excerpt from "Lets Play Doctor")

2011-02-02T20:33:00.001-06:00

I copied this from a PDF document from Dr. Joel Wallach's book "lets play doctor" published in 1998. This section was found in Chapter 10. Sorry if some of it is jumbled. I can send you the original PDF if you would like, just email me at chooselife828@gmail.com.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS (mucoviscidosis): is the "crime" of

the century second only to diabetes (and that is only be-

cause diabetes affects millions and CF "only affects thou-

sands each year") in that it is preventable, 100% curable

in the early stages and can be far better managed in

chronic cases than it is currently managed by "orthodox"

medicine. Cystic fibrosis is an important fatal disease of

humans. CF was originally thought to be limited to white

populations of central European origin: today, CF has

been diagnosed in all peoples of the earth.

CF is thought to be genetically transmitted by the "or-

thodox" pediatricians, yet "they" have failed to prove

their theory despite multimillions of dollars spent in re-

search. Classically, the diagnosis is made when any two

of four criteria are present (Table 10-1), yet most "ortho-

dox" pediatricians will not diagnose CF without a posi-

tive "sweat test" (elevated level of sodium, chloride and

potassium in the sweat - greater than 65 mEq/L.

The "sweat test" has been elevated by dogma to "the

diagnostic test" for CF yet there are at least 17 known

diseases and syndromes that can give a positive sweat

test (Table 10-2), leading at least one group of investiga-

tors to refer to CF as a syndrome rather than a disease.

Initially described in 1933, CF was first thought to be the

result of a vitamin A deficiency in children dying with

celiac disease. In 1938, the term "cystic fibrosis" was

coined because the pathologist mistakenly thought the

changes in the pancreas were true cysts (fluid filled spaces

lined with normal tissue). It is well known today that

the "cysts" of CF are, in fact, a dilation of the pancreatic

functional unit (acini) with atrophy (shrinking) of the lin-

ing tissue. In 1952, the fact that congenital CF occurred

in a significant number of CF patients was established.

The foundation of the genetic theory of CF transmission

is based on the frequent congenital appearance and two

very poor papers, one published in 1913 which claimed

that two children with diarrhea had an "inborn error in

fat metabolism" and one in 1965 that did an epidemio-

logical study of a group of 232 Australian families with

CF - despite six sets of twins, the study failed to shed

clear light on the proposed genetic theory. These papers

were so poor they would not get past the letter opener at

any "orthodox" medical journal today. We have spent an inordinate amount of time on CF because this syn-

dromeagaindemonstratesveryclearlythatifanymedi-

cal specialty will be eliminated by discovery, that dis-

covery will never be given to the public by the "ortho-

dox" doctors!!!

In 1978, the first .universally accepted diagnosis of CF in

a laboratory ammal was made by one of us (Dr. Joel

changes in the pancreas and liver in baby monkeys and

were confirmed by CF experts from Johns Hopkins

Wallach). ThediagnosiswasbasedoncharacteristicCF

School of Medicine, Emory University and the Univer-

sity of Chicago! Experts from NIH and the CF Founda-

tion were overjoyed - that is until they learned that one

of us (Wallach) could reproduce the CF changes with a

congenital selenium deficiency in almost any animal spe-

cies. With this revelation, Wallach was fired with 24 hours

notice and "blackballed" from research (to show you how

ruthless they are, Wallach was fired ten days after his

wife died of cancer).

It has been learned recently that the positive "sweat test"

is the result of an essential fatty acid deficiency that

causes a secondary deficiency of "prostaglandin" (very

short lived hormones) that control the sodium, chlorides

and potassium levels of the sweat!!! Remember the talk

by the distinguished

anthropologist,

Dr. Johnathon

Leaky, Sr. who said "the more facts you have, the better

the truth you have."

The prevention of CF has been accomplished in pet, farm

and laboratory animals by the veterinary profession by

assuring adequate levels of selenium and essential fatty

acid nutriture to the preconception, pregnant and nurs-

ing mother. This is not as easy as it sounds because of

malabsorption problems (Le., celiac diseases and Crohn's

Disease) in a percentage of women!!! All things being

normal a supplementation of 200 mcg selenium per day and 5 gm of flaxseed oil t.i.d. would be adequate to pre-

vent CF.

Treatment of CF is very basic - treat the infant as early

as possible with selenium 1Mat 10-25 mcg per day. Plant

derived colloidal minerals may be used orally thereaf-

ter. Provide 5 gm of flaxseed oil orally t.i.d. Most impor-

tantly YOU MUST DETERMINE IF THE INFANT ISAL-

LERGIC TO WHEAT, COW'S MILK OR SOY!!! If you

do not correct the malabsorption problem, treatment will

only be minimally effective. In the case of older CF pa-

tients, IV essential fatty acids and 1M selenium provide

excellent management leading to a normal life expect-

ancy of 75 years!!! Compare this approach to the heart

and lung transplant offered by the "orthodox" pediatri-

cians!!! If the proper treatment is carried out, the "typi-

cal CF lung disease" will not develop. The lungs of CF

patients

are normal at birth and only develop

bronchiectasis after chronic essential fatty acid and cop-

per deficiencies have taken their toll. Don't forget the

base line nutritional supplementation here!

We went to China in 1988 to study Keshan Disease, a

known selenium deficiency disease of Chinese children.

We studied 1,700 autopsies and found 595 cases or 35%

had pancreatic CF (remember CF is supposed to be "ge-

netic disease of children of middle European extract" -

to justify this finding the proponents of the genetic theory

will no doubt claim that a very virile English missionary

impregnated 125,000 Chinese girls and, unfortunately,

he was "carrying the gene for CF."

Table 10-1. Four Criteria For The Diagnosis

of Cystic Fibrosis

1. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

2. Bronchiectasis

3. Positive Sweat Test

4. Family History of the Disease

Table 10-2. Diseases and Symptoms That Have

Reported Positive Sweat Test (1, 3, 9, 68, 72)

1. Adrenal Insufficiency

2. Ectodermal Dysplasia

3. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

4. Glucose-6 Phosphate Deficiency

5. Pupillatonia / Autonomic Dysfunction

6. Allergies

7. Calcifying Pancreatitis

8. Anorexia Nervosa

9. Cystic Fibrosis

10. Focal Hepatic Cirrhosis

11. Derangement of Prostaglandin Metabolism

12. Hypothyroidism

13, Fucosidosis

14. Malnutrition

15. Kwashiorkor

16. Diabetes

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Nutritional Deficiencies Are Being Attributed To Genetic Disorders

2011-01-30T17:30:00.001-06:00

Veterinarians have learned that the institution of a healthy diet, vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements prior to conception completely eliminates congenital birth defects[2] in animals. Dr. Joel D. Wallach D.V.M., N.D. relates that 98 % of birth defects are caused by nutritional deficiencies. He includes in this list cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, heart defects, brain defects, spina bifida, cleft palate, limb defects, hernia etc. Radiation appears to be responsible for less than .1% of birth defects. Teenagers have a bigger percentage of children with birth defects than women over age 40 probably because of poor diet, lack of supplements, and their own need for supplements as growing adults competing with that of the developing infant.

Billions of dollars have been spent on laboratory, pet and agricultural animals to learn more about birth defects. The information obtained from these studies has totally eliminated birth defects in animals.

Cystic fibrosis is a selenium and fatty acid deficiency in the fetus or newborn breastfed infant. Maternal malabsorption of selenium caused by subclinical celiac disease is the initiating cause of the selenium deficit found in the fetus. This newborn's selenium deficiency produces the fibrocystic lesions in the pancreas typical of cystic fibrosis. The cystic fibrosis infant is born with normal lungs but later they become a major problem with recurring pneumonias and pseudomonas bronchial infections which often cause lung failure to be the cause for death at a young age.

In 1958 Dr. Klaus Schwartz of Germany reported in Federation Proceedings (NIH Journal) that selenium was an essential nutrient. Deficiency of selenium produced the same pancreas lesion in test rats and mice as was seen in cystic fibrosis in humans.

In 1972 Cornell University researchers reported that chicks hatched from selenium deficient hens developed cystic fibrosis lesions in their pancreas.This "cystic fibrosis" disease in the chicks was completely reversible within 30 days in newborn chicks by supplementation with selenium. This important research information enabled Dr. Wallach to treat 450 cystic fibrosis patients with excellent results using selenium. Infants with "cystic fibrosis"started on selenium therapy at 3 months are still cured at age 12. Mothers who had cystic fibrosis children have been able to have normal childrenwhen their selenium deficiency was corrected.

Working in conjunction with 3 Chinese scientists Dr. Wallach was able to learn that 1700 children who died of Keshan Disease (a heart fibrosing illness caused by selenium deficiency in the soil) had clear evidence in 595 of these children (35 %) of the cystic fibrosis lesions in their pancreases. Because the Cystic Fibrosis gene is reportedly present in only 1 out of 2500 persons this clearly proves that cystic fibrosis is not a genetic disorder. Approaching the Keshan Disease from a different angle careful autopsy studies of 400 persons who died with "cystic fibrosis" hadcharacteristic fibrotic lesions of the heart exactly like those found in selenium deficiency in Keshan Province of China.

The reason that some mothers become selenium deficient appears to be related to food allergies which cause changes in the appearance of the gut producing malabsorption of food. Breast feeding by a selenium deficient mother makes the infants selenium deficiency worse. The presence of maternal food allergies, malabsorption syndromes and nutritional deficiencies all can lead to birth defects. Dr. Wallach believes that it is unlikely that aggressive searching for food allergies and widespread use of selenium and nutritional supplements will be pursued by physicians who are earning a comfortable living with the status quo. Unfortunately many physicians hearing about the relationship between selenium and the causation of "celiac disease" will be skeptical and not willing to use this information.

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What, Why & How Much Nutrients (Updated!)

2011-01-16T23:44:00.001-06:00

+Carbohydrates+

Immune system support & cell to cell communication

1 tsp. 4x a day

+Phytonutrients+

Dehydrated raw fruits and vegetables

1/4-1/2 tsp 4x a day

+Phytosterols+

Enhances the immune system & endocrine (glandular) system

1 tablet 4x a day

+Colostrum+

Boosts immune system

1 tablet a day

+Fish Oil/Omega 3+

Overall health

1 capsule 2-3x a day

+Vitamins & Minerals+

Natural vitamin complexes, plant-sourced minerals and standardized phytonutrients for max absorption

1 tablet 4x a day

+Enzymes (Natural ones)+

Digestive aid

1 with every meal

+Probiotics+

Helps break down food and process waste

1 capsule a day

+Antioxidants+

Immune system support & cell protection

1 capsule 2x a day

+Garlic+

Has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity (natural antibiotic)

1 capsule 3x a day

at least one clove of raw garlic a day (with meal).

+MMS (Miracle Mineral Supplement)+

Kills bad stuff :)

1 drop a day (with the whole lemon to activate for 3 min, then add juice)

+MSM+

Relieves inflammation

1/4 tsp with warm water at least 1 time a day

+Colloidal Silver+

Kills virus' & bacteria

only when I'm sick

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CF Arthritis

2010-06-07T22:49:00.001-05:00

for years it was a mystery disease/allergy for my sister Aline, she's always had CFAA (cystic fibrosis associated arthritis) the worst. It started with red spots everywhere and one of her joints swelling up and hurting... along with fever, aches & pains. She has suffered from it since she was a pre-teen.

the children CF clinic never knew what it was, she was tested for everything. the first day I was seen by my adult CF doc, I asked him about it and he said it was CFAA, pretty common in CFers.

I googled it, and here are some good webpages I found.

http://www.wellsphere.com/cystic-fibrosis-article/understanding-cystic-fibrosis-associated-arthritis/149455

http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/aboutCysticFibrosis/Arthritis.php

it explained everything that had been going on with my sister and as I got to be an older teen me as well... we found a good natural supplement for muscle recovery that keeps away the symptoms. if I miss taking them for a while I get a huge CFAA attach... so, I try to remember to take them!

losing sleep and a low immune system also contribute to an attach, today I got red spots and slight aches & pains. if it gets bad enough I take advil, it helps with the inflammation. the reason I believe this happened was the loss of sleep these last couple days and I may have forgotten some of my pills (OOPS).

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What, Why & How Much (Nutrients!)

2010-05-27T18:52:00.002-05:00

Carbohydrates

Immune system support & cell to cell communication

1 tsp. 4x a day

Phytonutrients

Dehydrated raw fruits and vegetables

1/4-1/2 tsp 4x a day

Phytosterols

Enhances the immune system & endocrine (glandular) system

1 tablet 4x a day

Colostrum

Boosts immune system

1 tablet a day

Fish Oil/Omega 3

Overall health

1 capsule 2-3x a day

Vitamins & Minerals

Natural vitamin complexes, plant-sourced minerals and standardized phytonutrients for max absorption

1 tablet 4x a day

Enzymes (Natural ones)

Digestive aid

1 with every meal

Probiotics

Helps break down food and process waste

1 capsule a day

Fiber

For proper colon function and intestinal support

2 tablets once a day

Antioxidants

Immune system support & cell protection

1 capsule 2x a day

Garlic

Has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity (natural antibiotic)

1 capsule 3x a day

Cod Liver Oil

For vitamin A & D

1 capsule 2x a day

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Vitamin D

2010-05-26T19:53:00.001-05:00

So my test results came back... all is good except my vit D! :(

It's at 39! Acceptable numbers are 75-250...

What to do?
Could the fact that I didn't fast, and took all my supplements that day, affect the data?

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MARRIED!!!

2010-05-18T22:45:00.002-05:00

Marriage life is awesome! I have a husband to do therapy on me :) lol

I'm just now having time to update websites, blogs, facebook, twitter... changing my name is a work in progress... who knew?

had surprise blood work at my last clinic which was April 8th. Still haven't found out the results but I'm guessing their good because otherwise I think I would have received a call! I'm still going to find out the results of the vit D levels (last blood test was over a year ago and they had changed the vit D required levels, it was very low). I take a "real food" vitamin and mineral supplement so I cant wait to see what the test results were like!

FEV1 was 97%! my sisters both beat me, Aline had 99% and Kate had 103%. we all have Delta F508 mutation so this is quite a miracle and blessing from God!

CF siblings

2010-03-11T17:33:00.001-06:00

Growing up we were known as the "3 CF girls" having someone to go to clinic with, talk to & understand what CF was like, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.
I'm the oldest of us and I want to thank my parents for having the courage to have more children and go through all the extra work to raise us the healthy way.
I want to hear about other CF siblings, parents & spouses and hear your opinions about having more kids when you already have one with CF, having more then 1 CF sibling etc.

Eating Fresh For CF!

2010-02-17T21:45:00.000-06:00

*as seen on www.cysticlife.org

Running out of pills is never fun but it demands creative thinking, this time I think I just might have hit the jackpot!!!!

EATING FRESH! as in fresh fruits & veggies! you might have guessed what pills I ran out of... my probiotics & enzymes (ones I pay for and make a big difference with my digestion). So, here is what works even better or the best when in combination:

Half of my meal fresh - fave fruits & veggies:

bananas

apples

broccoli

lettuce (salad)

carrots

For probiotics I make sure I have lots of yogurt!

With the wedding, a house & transitioning to a new job finances can be tight... this is one way of saving money & not putting my health at rist!

Busy as a bee!

2010-02-01T22:54:00.004-06:00

With the wedding in May, starting a new job (or two), marriage counseling, maybe buying a house... so many changes and everything is happening at once!

after months of looking for a job I finally got one! I love it and if I can I will get another, the one I have right now is 15 hrs a week so I think another part time job wont hurt.

my health has been doing super great through this very extremely cold winter after adding garlic pills to my regular supplementation.

my book is still in progress and might be paused for a big because these next few months promise to keep me on my toes at all times!

I've officially changed my website from www.rebeccaelias.org to www.cfchampion.com

I have also changed my poetry website to a blog - http://rebeccajaye.blogspot.com

Engaged!

2010-01-05T01:45:00.001-06:00

Abe got on his knees just at the stroke of midnight on new years!

A great way to start the new year!

I'm a very lucky girl and we're planning a spring wedding.

Baking Soda - Natural Mucous Thinner

2009-12-19T15:09:00.002-06:00

As my dad was reading an artical by Dr. Mercola "Overlooked 150 Year Old Household Cleaner a Remedy for Swine Flu?" He called me over and showed me this

"According to the Materia Medica by Walter Bastedo, sodium bicarbonate taken internally can soothe your mucous membranes and dissolve thick mucus."

So now I take 1/2 tsp of baking soda with a full glass of water (8 oz) at least once a day, if not more and I'm noticing not only thinner mucous but I'm getting more of it out!

Never get sick again - a great rational & balanced artical

2009-12-07T17:28:00.001-06:00

Cold weather might put some stress on your immune system, but if your immune system is strong, you will not get sick.
Little things like weather changes, stress, exposure to germs can make you sick because your immune system is weak.

Take a look at some things that make your immune system weak....

1) Toxins: Most people today have excess accumulation of toxins and waste material in their bodies causing their body to be acidic and adding stress to their immune system function. The two main reasons for this is
a) People are putting huge amounts of toxins (mostly unknowingly) in their bodies on a regular basis and
b) their elimination channels are clogged, slow or sluggish.
c) toxins like "junk" food, medications(drugs), sugars, excess alcohol, allergens all stress your immune system, thus making it weak and unable to fight the germs when exposed to them.

2) Nutritional Deficiency:
When your body lacks nutrition, you will have a weak immune system.
Since our bodies can not produce nutrients needed for optimal health, quality food plays a major factor in keeping our cells healthy and our immune system strong. Food not only provides energy to your body, but all the nutrients that are essential for a healthy immune system.

3) Lack of drinking healthy water:
Dehydration means the cells just simply do not have enough fluid. Dehydration cause medical problems including pain, arthritis, asthma, and allergies, among other medical issues. It can affect your energy and your sleep, and the ability to get toxins/waste material out of the body.

4) Lack of physical activity:
Lack of regular, moderate exercise appears to slow down cleansing the body of certain toxins and waste products

5) Lack of sufficient rest:
lack of sleep will stress your immune system and thus increase the risk of catching a bug.
The good news is that I think you can help control or reverse your condition by doing as many as possible of the following list.

6) Chronic stress
People who are under chronic stress have lower than normal white blood cell counts, are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses and take longer to recover from them. They are more likely to experience more severe symptoms than people who are not under a great deal of stress.

The good news is you can strengthen your immune system by doing as many of the following list as possible....

1) keep practicing good personal hygiene care, wash your hands! The great plague of 1918 could have been avoided by practicing good personal hygiene.

2) get plenty of rest. During deep sleep, our body release potent immune-enhancing substances that strengthen your immune system function. By not allowing our body sufficient rest, the immune system will sputter, and as a result, not function at full capacity. We then are more likely to become ill with common illnesses. A healthy, deep sleep allows our body to release a significant amount of growth hormone that boost the immune system and aids in the growth and repair of the body.

3) get moderate and regular exercise
An increase in blood flow associated with moderate exercise helps to circulate antibodies along with white blood cells necessary to fight infection more quickly. As a result, this provides our bodies with an early warning system to ward off potentially damaging germs. In addition, the increase in body temperature as a result of physical activity may aid in inhibiting the growth of bacteria; thus allowing the body to fight infection more effectively.

4) Receiving a Regular Body Cleansing.
Body cleansing is essential because our bodies need to properly eliminate the toxic build up that has formed in our intestines (colon), which may lead to sickness and disease. Our body organs and tissues must be free of toxins for the immune system to function optimally thus enabling our bodies to receive the essential nutrients our bodies need.

5) Boost immune system by drinking plenty of filtered water.
Water is essential for all living things and keeps our immune system operating optimally while improving the way we feel, look and live. Without sufficient amounts of water, you may experience routine fatigue, dry skin, headaches, constipation, and a decrease normal bodily function which may lead to your body unable to fight off diseases. Without water we would literally dehydrate which could result in the shutting down of vital organs and ultimately end in death.

6) Eliminate all sugar and allergens from your diet.
Just a small amount of sugar has been proven to impair white blood cells up to 50% for very short periods of time. By discovering what our personal food allergies are, then eliminating or desensitizing them will help strengthen your immune system. By removing these triggers, our immune cells are strengthened in order to combat other invaders such as influenza rather than the allergen. The elimination of sugar from your diet can also strengthen immune system.

7) Eat nutritiously
Good foods to eat include organic fruits and vegetables, chloretta, medicinal mushrooms like maitake, shiitake, reishi, or turkey tail. Besides water, wheatgrass juice, aloe vera juice, or green tea are good drinks.

8) Take supplements
Supplements are needed because our bodies can not produce the nutrients necessary to maintain optimum health. There are many nutrients needed in order to maintain a strong immune system. It is very challenging in the world we live in to obtain sufficient nutrition with the foods available to us. They are over processed and void of many essential nutrients. Additionally, food is grown in soils that have been over-planted and saturated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Vitamin and mineral deficiency subjects us to more diseases, aging, sickness, and the weakening of our immune system.

Best herbs include echinacea, goldenseal, garlic, olive leaf extract, elderberry, or astragalus.

Best vitamins include Vitamin A, C, or E. These are a good source of antioxidants, which will boost your immune system.
The minerals zinc and selenium also help with boosting your immune system.

As you can see, there is no one magic cure, one supplement, or one way to keep your immune system strong, but if you do most of these suggestions, you may never get sick again even when everyone around you is sick.

More details can be found at the website in the source box.
Source(s):
http://www.immunesystemremedies.com

How I got rid of my BAD NASTY cough from CF clinic

2009-12-07T13:22:00.004-06:00

Of course the basics:

-Lots of sleep
-Consistently take ALL my supplements!
-Apply special herbal type cream on my chest EVERY night
-Deep breathing/therapy (bought a mini massager -->)
-Fresh Air (yes, even though I live in Canada, fresh air can do a world of good for your lungs)
-LOTS of yogurt!

one thing that I added that I think made a HUGE difference was:

-Super Garlic pills
one pill is worth 3 cloves of fresh garlic, traditionally garlic has been used to treat symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.

Time line:
Nov. 17, 2009 - CF clinic, bad cough starts
Nov. 30, 2009 - bought Super Garlic pills
Dec. 6, 2009 - slept the whole night with absolutely NO coughing

I'm finally doing it!!!!!

2009-11-06T01:11:00.001-06:00

I'm writing my CF book!!! This time the words are just coming to me. It's like perfect timing or something, I have the support of my wonderful boyfriend and time to do it... wish me luck.

If any of you would like to hear specifics about my life, CF or family in my book just send me an email at chooselife828@gmail.com

Prospective title is "Cystic Fibrosis: From Sick to Healthy"

Thanks for all the support,

Rebecca

2nd hand smoke = inhaler & antibiotics

2009-11-02T03:22:00.000-06:00

Note: Thank Facebook for the details on when this all happened, my memory isn't that good.

Friday Night
October 23

As a DD (designated driver) for my friends I felt it wouldn't hurt too much if I kept my mouth shut and let them smoke in thier own car. I was wrong, extremely wrong!

I already had a sore throat (I get it usually once or twice a year - at least I don't get the flu) so my immune system was already fighting off whatever that was... I've stood outside by people who were smoking but never crammed in a car with the windows closed for 15 min of smoke inhalation.

Saturday
October 24

Throat still hurting & coughing getting pretty bad. My boyfriend was amazing and gave me therapy after only 4 hrs of sleep (I woke up because of caughing).

Sunday
October 25

I had an extremely bad cough (sore throat had disappeared, like usual after 1-2 days), wheezing, lack of energy & loss of appetite - the 4 symptoms of a chest infection. I was under the impression that I needed a fever as well to think of it as anything serious. I was wrong. again.

Wednesday
October 28

Side note: yes I was dumb again to wait so long before doing something about my symptoms.

I asked my dad to confirm what I thought were the symptoms of a chest infection, when he didn't list "fever" all I could say was "I have all 4", his advice was to call the doctor and get antibiotics & an inhaler.

Knowing what needs to be done and getting it done - two totally different things!

Here is what happened in list form:

Wednesday
- called left a message for my family doctor (in hindsight I should have called CF clinic)
- got a call back just before she was leaving and was told to go to the local ER

Thursday
- got a sermon from the ER doc about the H1N1 vaccine because I told him I've never been vaccinated and don't plan to ever be! (I'll also add that he said I would die if I got H1N1)
- finally got an antibiotic!
- talked to my mom (ex-nurse), she said that my CF doc had told her that as someone with CF we need a larger & longer dose of antibiotics
- called my CF clinic & left a message

Friday
Got a call back & prescriptions faxed to my local pharmacy with a follow up check-up date set for Monday, November 2nd.

H1N1

2009-10-27T15:54:00.001-05:00

My comments on a status about H1N1

"There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine thus far developed is
effective in preventing or mitigating any attack of influenza. The
producers of these vaccines know that they are worthless, but they go
on selling them, anyway." -- Dr.... J. Anthony Morris (formerly Chief
Vaccine Control Officer at the US Federal Drug Admin.)

"Http://www.vaccinationeducation.com to the contrary, but to everyone
their own, I've never been vaccinated or had any shots and I'm healthy
even with CF"

"That's what I guessed after hearing about the transplant. I'm praying
it all works out for him. My health is not where it is because of
luck, my parents probably fed my sisters & I with everything the
health food store had to offer, we went on quite a few "healthy diets"
& take lots of food supplements... But it's worked for us, we've been
improving rather then staying at the same level or getting worse.
Staying as far away from drugs or anything that brings down the immune
system is also part of our health stratagy, it also helps drugs work
better and faster when we do need them.
NOT listening to foolish doctor advice also helped (having a junk food
area - easy to reach for kids, 2 yrs on antibiotics, preventative TOBY
treatments, etc). It's a hard path to follow but I thank my parents
for doing so because my health is worth it!"

"I don't blame doctors for what they say it's how they've been
programmed, it's my job to listen and then research and figure out
what is in my best interest. To put the responsibility of my health in
doctors hands would make me foolish.
I don't have a mild case of CF, I have to work very hard everyday to
stay healthy & improve. Taking my pills & trying to live a healthy
lifestyle is like a full time job... I know it doesn't look like I'm
sick and most of the time I have no apparent symptoms to people who
don't really know me but I fight and somedays it catches up to me and
I get tired and just want to be normal but I do what I do for my
family & friends.
I try and share what I've learn & what works because I hope to help
others with CF.
I truly admire everyone with CF because I know what it takes to keep
on fighting for every breath...
As of right now I got a wicked caugh cuz my friends smoked in the car
while I was a DD for them after a party, let me just say I learnt my
lesson! I hope my almost 8 years of no pneumonia doesn't stop now cuz
of my brief lack in judgement."

Job Hunt

2009-10-22T16:01:00.001-05:00

It's easier said then done. After emailing many applications I've only got 2 replies, one for a mlm business and one that requires me to work all kinds of shifts which I can't do because of my health... I'm getting desperate here.

I feel stuck and out of control :(

For good news, I found out my body is healing it self even more so I can cut down on more pills! Yea!

Lots of Changes! + iPhone!

2009-10-13T04:18:00.002-05:00

Best news first - I got an iPhone!!!!! Which I'm actually using to update this blog right now!!!!

Now to the not so great news... I've been feeling bad consistantly for the last while. Why? You might ask? FOOD! I really need to figure out if I should be taking less enzyme type pills (all natural) I'm at the bare minimum already but maybe my body is doing super great at this healing process I've embarked on? Let's hope so!

Bad news: my insurance claim did NOT go through because my CF was a pre-existing condition (duh!) that caused the CFTA (CF related Arthritis) so an insurance company again finds a way to screw people over, FYI my CFRA was not pre-existing. Oh well at least this means I will need a job!

So, I'm looking for a receptionist job, weekday 9-5 hours. I'm actually pretty pumped about it!

Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/cfchampion

Updates & iPhone?

2009-09-17T03:52:00.003-05:00

I've updated my website www.rebeccaelias.org! hope you enjoy it... just have one more page to finish on the website and then it will be complete... if there is info you would like me to have have on there just send me an email and I will do the best I can!

I've gained another 3 lbs :) so that makes me 106 lbs, 4 more to go and I've reached my previous high of 110 lbs! I try and take the ensure every day but it doesnt always happen... something is working though!

my sister the other day said that just taking my pills is a full time job, no wonder having a real f/t job didnt work out for me - I already have one! (on a side note, on the new website I put a list of the type of supplements I take - each with links to definitions on how they affect the body thanks to wikipedia)

I hopefully this month will be getting an iPhone! I'm so excited!! Bills have been difficult with all the new changes in my life but I've found a cheap iPhone plan and hope everything works out good...

Exercise is a major weakness of mine, I've been trying to get into a routine of doing a 15 min. workout at least once a week. with the weight loss comes lack of energy & stamina that a persons needs to exercise, so I'm hoping that things will change a little more once I am back to 110 lbs!

Today is the one year anniversary of my boyfriend and I dating, it's been the best year of my life!

Ensure drinks & weight update

2009-06-29T19:21:00.000-05:00

So I only gained 3 lbs out of the 10 that I lost... Knowing how much I
like coffee they got me the café latté flavor of ensure plus :)
They do sort of remind me of pediasure which I hate cuz I had so much
of it as a kid.

I'm feeling much more comfortable with my adult CF team.

It's taken a while to get used to not working but I've noticed how
much better it is for my health. When I discussed it at CF clinic they
were very supportive and the process for me being on EIA (Employment
and Income Assistance).

Big changes ahead and hopefully it'll all work out without too much
stress.

EIA, twitter, facebook

2009-06-28T18:42:00.003-05:00

EIA - The process has started to get Employment and Income Assistance. At my last CF clinic it was decided that my health is not worth risking at the price of a full time job, so my bills still need to get paid... this is my only option.

twitter account - www.twitter.com/rebeccaelias

facebook account - www.facebook.com/relias

I'm now working on getting my CF website back up and running... a new look is in the process too! www.rebeccaelias.org

Phl 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

to whom it may concern:

2009-06-08T00:59:00.003-05:00

a little something I wrote to the corrupt medical system we have to endure:

They tell me to shut up
They say it’s illegal

To share my story
To tell the truth.

They poison the sick,
Kill the innocent
All for the money
And ulterior motives.

My experience baffles their theories
Threatens their way of life,
But it doesn’t change the way they think
It doesn’t change the way they act.

So ignore the needless pain you cause everyday
And keep killing the ones you have sworn to not harm,
So supplements can’t CURE and drugs can?
Then why doesn’t it work out just like you planned.

Water for dehydration
Vitamin C for scurvy
So arrest me for what I just wrote
Because it’s illegal, right?

It’s still the truth
And no matter what you do
For the people who think for themselves
Your plans will fail

I find it fitting that this will be the first thing I put on my new website www.rebeccajaye.com

free speech & med leave

2009-05-16T12:46:00.003-05:00

Yeah right, as if that exists... you might be wondering why I'm ranting like this. So I hate to legally take down a bunch of posts because of "non compliance" its a bunch of BULL $H!T lol

anyways, I will keep fighting the good fight...

due to some strange new complications with my CF I am now on med leave for a couple of months... I've lost 10 lbs... time to get better, eat more, change some bad lifestyle choices and get back up there!!!!

Almost One Year

2009-02-28T15:49:00.003-06:00

So... long time no update.

I still work at Timmies, it's an awesome job and I really enjoy it. Thank-goodness I'm not supervising anymore. I think I'm too nice for that, lol. I work part time nights an evenings which works out great because I don't have to work more then 4 days in a row. Ten days in a row is just too much.

My polyps are not bothering me but they are there, I'm hoping they don't get worse.

This last October was my 3 year anniversary of no hospitalizations!!!

I'm working on putting up a website which has all my poems and lyrics... maybe a couple extras as well :) it's time I shared that part of me with the world.

On the 17th of March I will have been going out with my boyfriend for 6 months! It's been an awesome 6 months. He is so supportive and caring about my CF and all the pills I take, lol.

My car "Clifford" has been a pro this winter... it's been really cold and he's given me no problems :) he's such a good little car.

I promise the next update will be sooner then a year from now :)

Till then, God bless.

Work and Play: feat. NEW CAR!!!

2008-06-10T23:17:00.001-05:00

Still work full-time at Timmies :) I love my job! Only supervise part-time, which is perfect because supervising full-time is just too stressful. No one needs more stress, it ain't healthy!

Moved in with my sister and her family, it was the best thing I did this year, I love the environment and my NEW CAR (2008 Pontiac wave5) rocks at life! oh and also helps with the gas to and from work :)

Dating. Finally think I might give it a whiff, no reward without risk :)

BAD NEWS:
I can feel my polyps are back... thankfully I can still breathe through my nose. I'm praying for a year without surgery. Don't want to wait 3 years for surgery again, that is the worst part of having polyps - needing surgery and NOT GETTING IT DONE! (like the Larry the Cable Guy reference?) :)

Catch-Up

2008-06-10T23:11:00.003-05:00

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day

The surgery went super awesome! didn't need any pain killers and was back to work 2 days after the surgery :)

the new year

2008-01-15T13:38:00.001-06:00

a sinus infection. a week of antibiotics. another scheduled surgery.
not missing a day of work! plus the opportunity of getting my very own
apartment. life doesnt slow down, not even at the start of a new year.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Don't look to become a person of success, look instead to become a
person of value. -Einstein

back from a cruise :)

2007-10-29T12:46:00.000-05:00

I didn't get sick!!!! You should have seen the huge amount of pills I took a long. It was such a blast, I guess you'll have to be my friend on facebook or myspace to see pictures :)

Independence

2007-09-19T12:03:00.001-05:00

I'm in my new place but haven't fully settled in yet, I didn't know I had so much stuff!

The job is going great, I really love it. I figured out after a week or two how to properly schedule my pills, eating & work so that I'm not in pain! yea! Makes work even more fun!

I should have done this months ago.

All grown up

2007-08-11T20:03:00.002-05:00

My first week on the job is over. I definitely earn what money I'll get! Having CF and a full time job isn't easy, especially when the people there don't know you have CF or know it and don't really know what that means. I like it though, I get treated normal. I haven't quite figured out how to rightly schedule my pills, eating and working so that I'm not in pain but it's getting better. I think It'll just take time and a little experimenting.

I haven't moved into my apartment yet, hopefully by the end of the month. I love this independent stuff!

As far as my nose goes... my smell is gone again. Man, I wish my surgery had happened!

From Cambodia...

2007-08-11T19:59:00.000-05:00

Nose News

2007-07-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

For about a week now I've been able to SMELL! I thought it would pass but obviously it hasn't, and hopefully wont. I'm not like a super smeller now or anything, most of the time I have no idea what I'm smelling but it feels so great!

I've also been able to sleep with my mouth closed these last few weeks. That's great but I still want these polyps out. People always comment on how I sound like I have a cold :(

Cancelled :(

2007-07-04T23:26:00.001-05:00

My Polyp surgery got cancelled! I'm on the waiting list but have no idea when it will happen. This is very disappointing but I'll get over it (once I have the surgery). Haha.

The whole Lyme Disease/antibiotics seems to be going ok. The only thing that has changed for the worse is how well my digestive system works. Things are a lot better when I have lot of probiotics.

I found out today that I'm 112 lbs. this is the heaviest I've ever been! The doctors are going to be really happy.

Ticks and Tae Kwon Do test results!

2007-06-26T02:14:00.001-05:00

Last Thursday I found a tick attached to me. Yesterday evening I found a quarter size rash where the tick had been. Today I got put on 3 weeks of antibiotics for Lyme Disease!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny thing is that I NEVER go outside during tick season, I guess that doesn't matter when your brother and sisters do and DON'T do tick checks before hanging out in the house and in my bedroom!

Last night at the "Friends of Cambodia" fundraiser we raised $700! Over $180 of that went to the Cambodian Orphanage. This was with 50 people attending. It was an awesome evening, more people should have been there to enjoy it! Aline and I also got the shock of our lives when our Tae Kwon Do teacher was talking and said "...Something the girls don't even know is that they are RED BELTS..."!!!!!!!

Not only did we pass our Red Stripe test but we advanced to our Red Belts! OMW!!!!!!!! So yeah, good and bad things happening this week!

Tae Kwon Do competition

2007-05-27T16:40:00.001-05:00

10 Competitors, 16 Medals and one AWESOME day!

Aline & Wolfgang were coaches and I was equipment & competitor manager.

Surgery

2007-04-30T13:02:00.000-05:00

After seeing a specialist yesterday, I have a date for my next Polyp surgery (this will be my 7th surgery) it's August 9th. I'm so excited! Finally a clear nose... and maybe a sense of smell?

Details of my first adult CF appoinment

2007-04-11T13:03:00.000-05:00

First thing on my list is to go see the Physio Therapist. I arrive 20 min. early because I gave myself extra time just in case I couldn't find it. We talk about how CF has affected my lungs and he's very impressed with my physical fitness level.

Then I head to eat lunch. My Physio app. was at 11 am. and my next one is at 1:15 pm. so I have sometime to eat lunch. I didn't have any cash so my debit was the only thing I could use, and the Tim Hortons booth thingy only took cash, so I ended up eating a piece of each Pepperoni and Hawaiian Pizza.

Then I headed to the clinic and right away was sent for PFT's which went really well. Then to get an X-Ray which looked awesome! and then I saw the nurse, nutritionalist and then finally the doctor. Everything was awesome!

My next app. is set for 6 months from now. sweet eh?

Officially a CF adult!

2007-03-02T18:45:00.000-06:00

Wow! I can't believe I was so nervous about the whole transition thing. It went really smooth and I'm really going to enjoy working with the new doctor and head nurse.

My CF Creon Award party went great and the food was awesome, for the first time I tasted breaded shrimp, I could have said it was like chicken.

Here's a tip for CFer's who are graduating to the Adult Clinic:
Know your facts about fertility and Cystic Fibrosis. If there was a point system I think I would have scored a 10!

Update on running

2006-08-18T16:12:00.000-05:00

I started this last Monday and I ran 3 out of 5 mornings. The 2 I didn't run I slept-in instead. Oops, bad me!

I can already tell that it's helping improve my lungs! Very exciting!!! I breath so big when I'm running... I can't wait till I can get to the point where I'm running a couple laps around this block.

HERE IS A BIG SECRET:

I'm working on a website about what EXACTLY I do for my CF, I mean, I totally go into big time details, no generic "I take supplements" stuff or "I use cream for my polyps", questions are going to be answered and it'll all be legal, I just used English to suit my purpose! Hehe!

Sadly, I'm not giving out the URL (web address) yet, it's not quite finished. Just wanted to let ya'll know that I'm working on that.

For updates on my book you'll have to go to http://mycfbook.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Running

2006-08-06T15:04:00.000-05:00

Out here in Texas I don't have Tae Kwon Do :( I miss you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, so I'm going to start RUNNING! At 6 AM wake up and go for a run, hoping to start with 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. It'll be great for my lungs and endurance training.

I need ya'll to keep me responsible with this so pop in now and then to ask me how the running's going, OK?

Thanks!

I'm in Texas

2006-08-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

Hey! I made it to Texas! I wrote all about it on my other blog www.hopeishere.blogspot.com if you want to take a look.

Thankfully at the moment I have internet on my laptop. Hopefully it continues.

God bless

CF Clinic July 18/06

2006-07-29T18:54:00.000-05:00

My lung function was around 90%! Yea! I don't have a cough and it's non productive if I do cough.
They still want me to take Tobi for preventive measures but I'm like "I don't agree with the philosophy of poisoning myself better, thank-you very much".
Hello? Does this sound crazy to anyone else? And if I'm not sick anyway, how much more damage will drugs do? I don't even want to think of that.
Did I mention that I'm writing a book about my life with CF? The first draft is completed.
I updated my CF website www.freewebs.com/cflife. Enjoy!

Update

2006-02-20T17:12:00.001-06:00

Well my health is doing great even though the doctors want me to go on Tobi and I said “NO!” hello? If I’m healthy why would I want to bring down my immune system with drugs? I’ve never felt this good before, my next CF clinic is in April, I can’t wait to see how good my lung function is then.

I updated my CF website! www.freewebs.com/cflife take a look and enjoy!
TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

Awesome Christmas and CF song!

2006-01-09T14:29:00.001-06:00

Christmas was awesome! I got a Tamagotchi and toe socks!

My health was great, this is now the third Christmas in a row without pneumonia, all thanks to glycos!

I’m part of this yahoo group called “teens with CF” it’s great. One our members (Cindy) wrote a song called “My Classroom” here are the lyrics: (it’s an awesome song!)

My Classroom

(by Cynthia Ray)

Days go by,
I don't know if you see
The way that I'm struggling just to breathe
Simple things that may seem easy
To me, these are triumphs to achieve

Chorus:

But there are so many lessons I've learned
I don't know how I'd know,
And there are miracles I wouldn't recognize
any other way
Any other way

Twilight falls
Dreams get farther away
Mem'ries of summer turn to grey
Darkness steals my strength and
Passion for life starts to fade

(Chorus)

Can you tell what I'm going through?
Do your eyes see what mine do?
There may be pain, but there's glory too
Do your eyes see what mine do
What mine do

(Chorus)

P.S.

2005-12-22T14:51:00.000-06:00

I almost forgot to mention this! Dad never picked up the drugs. So, my 98% normal lungs thing? It was done by my body, NOT the rat poison. You can have CF, be healthy and not have to be on drugs.

- Advocate for a drug free life

Great news from my CF appointment!

2005-12-21T14:08:00.000-06:00

I got like the greatest news yesterday… ok, let me tell the background story first.

Last Thursday I got a CT scan of my lungs to make sure that everything was ok. Yesterday at CF clinic the doctors took a look at the CT scan results and told me… get ready for this, it’s amazing – I have 98% normal lungs! YEA!!!!!! I’m so excited about that! Just thought I’d share the good news.

If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.
Albert Einstein

Survivor's guilt

2005-11-17T13:54:00.000-06:00

I have this theory about CF and survivors guilt.

I know I have it; but I’m not sure about other CF people.

I’ll explain it for those who are confused.

Survivor’s guilt is known for people who’ve been through dramatic experiences that others have died but by chance (actually God) they have lived.

I think people with CF have survivor’s guilt of some sort. I know CF is a difficult disease to explain because it affects people in different ways. I believe there’s like what, 1000 mutations of the disease? Obviously some will have worse symptoms then others. And therefore die earlier.

I knew a CF girl who was 2 years younger then me; she died at the beginning of this year. A couple months before that a guy my age died from CF, he lived about ½ hour away from my place. That’s when I felt guilty for being alive, I asked God “why wasn’t that me?” it so easily could have been.

I know there is stuff out there that helps CF but people just don’t know about it or are so ignorant that they refuse to give it a chance.

My parents always told me that God let me have CF for a reason. I know that reason now – to share with others who have CF that there is hope. But how do I effectively get that message across? I’m not doing so well because of luck or because I have one of the lesser kinds of CF. I’m this well because I’m doing something about my health! You can have as good as quality of life as me if you WANT it!

PARENTS take responsibility for pity sake! The doctors are not responsible for your child’s health, YOU ARE! Your doctor’s are there for guidance, but they are NOT all knowing. They DON’T have all the answers. YOU have to find them. First place I’d go look is for others who’ve had success with their CF. such as I. I’m not the only one.

Do this for your kid, or yourself.

RE
www.freewebs.com/cflife - my life with CF. What I’ve done to be proactive about my health.

I liked this quote so much I also put it on my regular blog – Life is a Vapor

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
Ben Stein

HeHe

2005-11-15T16:21:00.000-06:00

Dad has still forgotten to pick up my drugs. How funny!

Water

2005-11-12T14:38:00.000-06:00

Water. Without it we would die. But is all water equal? That answer is quite obvious; NOT all water is equal.

and the best water out there is….. WELLNESS WATER! www.wellnessfilter.com

Tomorrow I’m hopefully picking up the Wellness Water Carafe!!! I can’t wait! It was a gift from a friend. Thank-you!

Drinking good water is KEY in having a good quality of life!

The Appointment

2005-11-09T14:47:00.000-06:00

So, supposedly there is a new way of measuring how well you're doing weight wise with CF! Calculating the BMI (in percentile if under 20). I'm told if you're in the 50 percentile (if under 20) then you have a better chance of making it with CF. Well, in order to be in that percentile I have to weigh 114.2 lbs!!!!!! I'm 105.4 now and this is like the heaviest I've ever been! How am I supposed to weigh 114? Like where is that fat/muscle supposed to go? I already got a butt! I certainly do not need anything any bigger.

They want to put me on Ciprofloxacin and a puffer just because my lung function wasn't as good as it was last year this time. I'M FINE! I'm giving my body what it needs and it'll do what it needs to do and take care of itself without having to deal with POISON which is exactly what drugs ALL are. (well basically)

I have this opportunity to be part of a research thingy... I'm going to tell them exactly what I think about Canadian health care! (or sickness care)

As I see it, every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself.
Adelle Davis

Appointment tomorrow

2005-11-07T14:43:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is my CF check-up. I think I’m doing great but I guess I’ll find out if I really am or not tomorrow!

Winter is sooooooo cold! I really do not like it! If I ever get sick it’s during this season or because of it. I only like snow when its Christmas time.

Dad ordered a product from MT and I can’t wait for it to come!! It’s supposed to come today. I really think it makes a difference with my polyps and hopefully they’ll go ALL away this time so I won’t have to have my 7th surgery on my nose! My last one was like almost 3 years ago (next month will be exactly 3 years) and I really don’t want another one.

I’ll tell ya what happened at CF clinic tomorrow (as if I could sooner. lol)

"Condemnation without Investigation is the Height of Arrogance!"

Andrew's story

2005-10-31T12:46:00.000-06:00

Hello,
my name is Andrew Desjardins and I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth. My goal is to play an active role as a teacher and source of inspiration for those who are serious about finding a way to overcome Cystic Fibrosis. More...