Just Getting Started

Well, I've done it.... I've broken down, and started a blog. It's not that I think I have anything important to say, or a tremendous job that you have to hear about, I really don't think that I will change anybody's life by writing this, but I do have a story, and I'd like to share it with you,

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?? My name is Laura, and I am 27 years young. I am, in many ways your typical American woman living the American dream. I am married to a wonderful man, and we have a BEAUTIFUL 5 year old little girl, who is truely the light of our lives. We live in a small town in Montana, in our very own house complete with a dog (Marley, no, not after the movie) a cat (Smokey) and a backyard. At this point in time, you may be asking yourself, where the story is in all of this, well I'm getting to that.

I was born in May of 1982 to two wonderful parents, who mean the world to me. I have 2 older brothers, who have given me grief, but in the long run been the best brothers a girl could ask for. It was apparent from early on that something was not quite right with me, although, no doctors seemed to know just quite what. I was always very small, and cried alot. When I was born I weighed 7lbs 11ozs, by the time I was seven months, I only weighed about 13lbs. I can honestly say, that I owe my life to my brother. He was 13 at the time, and to my understanding had just watched a documentary on Cystic Fibrosis. After doing so he came and picked me up and kissed my forehead, which tasted quite salty. He informed my Mom, who called the Doctor, who had me come in, and performed a sweat test. In December of 1982, I was diagnosed with Cysic Fibrosis. What is Cystic Fibrosis, you may ask? It is an inherited genetic disorder that affcts approximately 30,000 people (adults and children) in the United States. To spare you all of my babble I will include a link to the CFF, so you can read more about CF, if you want to..

http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/

After being diagnosed, my parents did all they could to keep me healthy, without depriving me of a childhood. They were told that I would not live to see my 18th birthday, and to be prepared for a child that was in and out of the hospital on multiple occasions. I remember being very young and doing breathing treratments. I also remember my Mom cooking a completely separate supper for me (chicken and rice) just to get me to eat. It is because of their diligence that I was able to just live, and stay hospital free, until after my 18th birthday (yes, I had moved out of the house by this point in time) Proved those Doctors wrong, didn't I??

In December of 2000 I was hospitalized for the first time with pneumonia, and so began my rollercoaster ride. Since then, I have been hospitalized about every 3 to 4 months for a tune up, as I am right now in fact. CF is a degenerative disease, and so as I grow older the worse it gets. I am by no means, as sick as I could be, but I've had my fair share of trials and tribulations. I have always been affected by horrible sinuses, with my first sinus surgery at the age of eight. I've had 11 since then, one of which the actually had to drill into my left frontal sinus and insert a tube to help it drain (pretty picture, you better believe it)

Anyway enough about me for now..... it is in fact time for the wonderous hospital food. I will try to keep you all updated, and not just about my CF, but about all aspects of my life. Thanks for listening :)