First timer here...

Well...after some convincing from my friend Bree...here is my first blog. She is also going for a double lung transplant, we met through the internet, but funnily enough we go to the same university.

I don't know how often I'll use this blog, but I'm starting a double lung transplant assessment and i guess it's good emotionally to start blogging, but also for others to read about what i'm going through, because some people maybe be like "WHAT" and have no idea that i've taken this next step, since my lung function just is being so stubborn and refuses to increase...soo today I went to Hospital for the first day of the assessment.

This is not to be confused with being listed for a lung transplant...I'm not being listed...just going for testing to see what the whole deal is...we'll know more in a month after all the testing is done (it's a week long deal down at the hospital) and then all the doctors get together, read the tests, and decide whether or not to put you on the list...

Maybe I should start from the beginning...I have cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that more or less causes your lungs to fail. they begin to fill up with sticky mucus which cause bacteria to get stuck and able to grow, which causes infections. in case you were wondering why i always spit up mucus or cough...there's your answer, i'm trying to get it all out of my lungs, so it doens't fester in there and cause infections.

I go on IV antibiotics about twice a year for 8 weeks at a time, to help with these infections. I am constantly down at the hospital for check ups, and to know how my lung function is doing.

Over the past year, my lung function has decreased, despite aggressive treatments...it's been quite frustrating, because all my life i was so active, and in the past three years, my lung function has deteriorated greatly. It's sometimes hard for me to do the little things, like climb a flight of stairs to my bedroom on my bad days.

So in february my CF doctors thought it would be a good idea to start the lung transplant assessment process, because they don't want me to miss the boat. I can't be too healthy where my quality of life is good enough that the risk of lung transplant isn't worth it yet, but i can't be too sick where i wont' survive the surgery and be able to get well after. Sooooo it's a toss up...it's hard to know when to get it.

after this week of testing we'll know where i stand...today i met with a nurtitionist with the transplant team who said i was the perfect weight (i've gained 13 pounds in 5 months) for tranplant. You can't be a total fattie, and you can't be a skinny minnie, and i'm just perfect for it.
I also have a really good support system. I have an amazing mom who comes with me to every appointment, she missed one this year for the first time in like ever, and my dearest boyfriend took me for the first time to clinic. it was nice for him to finally meet everyone as he's heard abotu the CF team for years! they also really liked meeting him too, as they've heard so much about him over the years! haha

My brothers and dad came with me to the intial consult in June for the lung assessment. So the doctors say i'm in the perfect position because some people get turned away from having a transplant becuase they don't have a support system.
I have two great brothers, an amazing dad and mom, and a great boyfriend who have all been involved in this process. so win win. i'm very lucky. not to mention i have great friends, who i'm sure if i told them more about it...(again it's all kind of new to me, i don't knwo how much to share with people...but then i think maybe i shouldn't sugar coat it for people, ebcause after all i'm the one whos going through it) for the friends i have told about, they have been very supporative too.

hmm okay well i guess thats it for now? shall i continue to blog? perhaps, it's nice to vent to a computer screen and wonder who will be reading this...thanks bree for getting me started! haha