Short and sweet.

I am going to make this short and sweet because I still feel like crap, but happy crap (if that makes any sense)?!

I went to the doctor today. I have strep throat and cultured a flu virus. That explains me being miserable the past few days. On to the great news, and why I can't stop smiling from ear to ear. I blew my highest PFT that I have had in many MANY years. At least 7 or 8 years to be exact. The antibiotics I have been on to treat the Steno Malt. bacteria are working.

Drum roll please......

a whopping 93%!!! I didn't even know I had it in me anymore to inflate my breathers that much! Wowzers. Seeing these numbers about knocked me off of my chair....and made a miserable strep throat appt. great! I also gained 9 lbs since my last appt. in Dec. I knew my jeans were getting tight! My BMI is now above the 20 line... what a great day.

Want to know the highlight of my day? Seeing the normal box checked instead of "moderate" lung disease. I still have another month or so of these antibiotics, so I wonder how much higher these numbers can get!

For my friends who understand what these numbers mean:

FVC: 4.99 (122%)
FEV1: 3.22 (93%)
FEF 25%-75%: 1.97 (54%)

My small airways even jumped pretty significantly.

And for those that don't: It means I am breathing great and smiling large baby!

I think I deserve some sort of party, or celebration, or present, or something for this achievement!!!!!

Why am I sick again....darn flu.

It is 1:45am and I am awake.
Fever of 105.3. Very painful dry cough. Chills. Sweating. At one point delirious.

The Ibuprofen took my fever down to about 103 degrees.

My grandpa is taking me to the doctor tomorrow at 11 am. I sure hope I don't have Pneumonia. I am pretty sure this is the flu. My mom is still in Florida. I wish she was here right now. There is nothing like having your mommy take care of you when you are sick, and mine does an amazing job at it. Tuesday can't come soon enough. Of course, I hope I am better by then.

I have slept for the past 2 days, but now I can't anymore.
My body is aching so bad that I want to cry.
No amount of water seems to moisten my desert of a mouth.

It sure feels good to complain. All of my CF friends have to understand me on this one.

If you are family or friends reading this, please don't worry. I am sure I will be feeling better soon. I just needed to get it off my chest. I think I will watch some King of Queens reruns until I drift off to sleep...

Food.

It has been awhile. Not that I have been extremely busy, I just haven't really felt like writing. Finding the motivation has been a challenge. I think I just might have the winter blues! Many of my evenings are being spent with a cup of hot chocolate, curled up under a blanket, cuddling with my husband, and watching some Netflix. The Internet has not fit into my cozy little evenings!

I have been very healthy lately. I am finding some wood to knock on right now. Since the beginning of January, I have really been focusing on my weight. My goal, per my doctor, is to gain 15 lbs. That would put me at 140lbs. I know, you are jealous. I have heard it all. I know if you could give me some of yours, you would, and if you could do it for me, you would. Now let me clarify some things. Having to gain weight is not as fun as it may sound. For me it is hard. Very hard. I don't like my food being a "medicine" to me. I already consume pushing 3000 calories a day, and with even the slightest cold or infection, I lose it all almost instantly. I have worked my butt off to gain the most recent 6 pounds. I eat, and eat, and eat, and then eat some more. I do this and then drink high calorie weight gain shakes. I am really not looking for advice, sympathy, or motivation. I am just sharing a little bit of what I have been up too...and it just so happens that eating is it.

On a positive not, I will absolutely need new clothes if I gain any more weight. My jeans are starting to get a little tight. Now who can argue new clothes?! That is a reward to look forward too!

I promise to write something more profound later...that is if I can find some motivation. Is it almost spring yet?

saving

7 Days into the new year and I am holding strong. This will be a great year!

My #1 resolution is to not spend as much money. 

That is pretty easy when:

1. You don't have but $16.00 in your account until the end of January

2. You are stuck inside because of the cold and snow

3. You have thrown away ALL new Victoria Secret and Express catalogs!

4. You realize that you have everything you can ever need or want...and it isn't in material items.

At this rate...I will save enough money to go on vacation this year after all... 

Care Packages

I know some of my friends have dealt with deployment of their loved ones, and I am looking for advice and ideas. I send my brother out a care package weekly...

So far I have been sending him:
Beef Jerky
Candy
Tuna Fish creations
Crackers
Pop Tarts
pull tab containers of food (Chef Boyardee, Healthy Request, etc.)
Pictures
Other random snacks
Personal items, razors, etc.
magazines and books

I know he has a few items on his wish list that are a little too expensive for me to purchase right now,

a Kindle (electronic book reader)
PlayStation 3 or X-Box with games

If any of you have creative ideas of what to send him, or see the above items at a sale price (that I could afford!) please let me know!! Nine more months seems like forever for someone who is already homesick!

Out with the old, in with the new!

Happy 2011 everyone!

We rang in the new year with a few friends and of course my babies! I can't believe that they both stayed up until midnight (let me add that they have a 7 pm bedtime), that was quite the accomplishment. We cheered 2011 in, and 2010 with a toast of sparkling grape juice, which the kids loved.

2010 was a great year for me, with a few not so great moments. I was sick a lot off and on, but now that the bacteria has been identified, I am hoping that 2011 is spent kicking it's butt!

This past year I went on an amazing vacation with my family, parents, grandpa, and cousins. I also had the amazing opportunity to go on yet another road trip with my best friend, and brother Matt. We went to North Carolina and met relatives and loved ones that we have not seen in many, many, many years. I was also Matt's guest of honor at his military ball, which he made VERY special for me. Saying "see ya later" in September to him as he headed off to Iraq was a down, not so great moment. Now that we are in 2011, I am even closer to seeing him again!! Caleb started school at the place of my dreams (for both of my kids), we knocked down a huge tree in our back yard, I got to spend TONS of quality time with my grandpa....the list of great memories could go on and on (and by far outweigh the bad!).

I hope your 2010 was as special as mine, and I hope 2011 is even better! I am ready to create more amazing memories and have a year of health and love. God is so good!