Friday, April 3, 2009

Chrislie's HERE and aha moment...

She arrived yesterday morning at 8AM, and came to my work in a taxi, where she took my car and explored JHB on her own a bit. Chris took us out for supper last night to celebrate her visit and me passing my exam!!! Went to Gourmet Garage at Monte Casino, which has the best beef burgers in the world. Tonight we’re going to my cousin’s 30th b-day party in Pretoria,at a great restaurant, which will be great too. Lots of celebrations…

Yesterday morning I had what Oprah calls an “aha-moment”. (I used to have time to watch Oprah!). I was asking one of my CF friends how he was doing, and he was telling me what an awesome drug Chloramphenicol is. For a few moments I had to think hard which pill/IV med that was, as the name rang a bell but I couldn’t quite place it. Then it hit me. It was my favourite oral antibiotic that always worked and saved me LOTS of IV’s. I practically worshipped it and whenever I started feeling another infection it was the first thing I wanted to try. The aha-moment was when I realized I’m starting to forget some of the things that was such an integral part of my end-stage CF. I got the same feeling a few months ago when another CF’er asked me what dose of Tobramycin I used to nebulise with and I couldn’t remember. If I had to go back in a time warp and do my nebs again, I wouldn’t know how to mix it!!!! It just proves how normal my life has become, and that I’ve become rather distanced to CF stuff, albeit not on purpose (although if I ever had to nebulise again etc I’d obviously pick it up again in a few minutes, but for now it’s nice not to remember all the nitty gritty details). It’s such a blessing.

I also have a prayer request… for all my friends on the transplant list… I know quite a few YOUNG people on the transplant list, one of them who was admitted with hemoptisys (coughing up blood) again now. The sad thing is that after me they haven’t done ANY young people again. I don’t know what the reason is exactly, but it’s like only older people get done. Obviously it’s great for them, but because I know what it feels like when you’re in your 20’s and your peers are starting their careers and getting married etc while your life is on hold and you’ve got the lungs of a 200 year-old!!! IT SUCKS. So I REALLY want them to experience what I am SO BADLY…

3 comments:

Michelle said...

i'll be praying for your friends to get their new lungs soon. i'm 22 and can't imagine having CF, although i do have migraines every single day of my life (well, daily since age 13, i started getting them occasionally at age 6) and recently had brain surgery for hydrocephalus & had a shunt put in, so i understand not being like everyone else. i understand pain & managing tons of meds. so like i said, i don't understand what you & your friends go through completely, but i have a better idea than the average person. ;-)

please keep me updated on how things are going with your friends - i'm assuming you'll post about them when there's news?

- michelle
washington, d.c., usa

Anonymous said...

its all about TODAYS reality! and how wonderful it is. i dont know if you read Victoria's blog
Past the point of no return but she is going in monday for a ng tube she could use some words of encouragement and a few prayers as well from someone who is on the otherside if you get a chance. we will keep your dear sweet friend in our prayers. enjoy your weekend with your sis!
Laura

Alice Vogt said...

Hi Laura,

No I don't read her blog, but will Google it!!!