1shedcollector
New member
Howdy to all. I have finally taken the plunge and joined. I have been in some of the forums, but now here I really am. This article was requested for me to do, but it never made it to the CF newletter ???. Just a brief article about my life. Thanks you all so much for your very informative chats. I have learned more in the last week of finding this sight than years asking doctors questions... some really try and care.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
As many of you know, growing up with CF employs many challenges- whether it is physical, social, or physiological. Dreams play a major part in daily thoughts. Will I be healthy enough to do the things I want to do? Will I ever succeed in what interests me? Do I have what it takes to overcome some of the everyday obstacles my health throws at me? The big question is will I find that extra special person to share my life with? What is to become of my life? One could ponder hundreds of questions all day. So it will be left at these.
The dream I always had was to be part of my own family, wife and children. Many professionals either out of ignorance or personal admirations for the world always tried to keep me under their thumb as to the way I lead my life and dreams. I was threatened as a child as to what I would have to do if I did not do what they said. I spent many hours in clinics with the same results. He is healthy, but he has CF, and he will need to do this and come back in a couple of weeks. One time in particular my dad took me to the clinic, and they asked me if I had a bike and I replied with " yes", but it has a flat tire right now. The response from the doctor immediately turned me to question doctors from then on. They repeatedly told my dad in so many words that he was not taking good enough care of me, because that bike had a flat tire( which it had just gone flat before we left for the clinic) Who were these people to tell my dad he wasn't a good father! I was outraged! so for years I had very little if any respect and association with the CF clinics and doctors. Not just because of the comments they said to my dad, but numerous situations that arose that never made me feel comfortable with the efforts for how I felt or what I thought , just what they thought was to be done. This was just one example. My life was lead by what my dad thought good for his son. After all, they kept telling him I probably would not live to see my teen years- so I was raised along side my other brothers and sisters without exception. Years later the things my dad did in how and what I ate and how I lived my life was finally used with others with much better success that had been with other CF patients. I spent my youth climbing and hunting the mountains around southern Arizona and central Utah. I was on the tennis, baseball and basketball teams even played city league softball. Raised hogs, steers and rode dirt bikes. I could keep up with the best of them. Until I was hurt at work with an ACL /meniscus tear and damaged condyle. Of all the things I could handle and have dealt with- to take away my ability to have two dependable knees. To keep me healthy. The one thing I knew would keep me alive inside. This has literally turned my life upside down- health wise. I can"t perform all those fun healthy activities anymore even with a reconstruct and four times under the knife- the knee pops out of joint and it is extremely painful to put back in.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Bruce Marshall, with his understanding and caring way. He truly is a man of medicine who cares about his patients desires and needs. Without whom I would have never started going back to clinics- regardless of my health. My life and my way is the attitude I have developed over the years and has helped keep me this healthy this long. With new opportunities and responsibilities comes a realization that it is not just about me any longer, I have to live for others.
I had read an article in one of the CF newsletters from January 1994 titled TWO PERSPECTIVES ON SINGLENESS AND CF. In one of these articles the man that wrote it touched me deeply- for two things had always rolled through my mind 1. Stay healthy 2. Marriage. He almost spoke for me when he talked about relationships and the desire to find true love. I know it is really difficult for someone to truly love someone with CF, but I think those who do find true love are the most blessed people on earth. Until that time I had only a glimpse of a true love.
That very special someone did fall in love with me, regardless of my health and all my other downfalls. She is truly one of a kind- a real example of commitment, understanding and pure love. Other married men have asked if their wives could " hang out" with my wife and show them how to be more like her and her willingness to help me.
I have been tremendously blessed, now going on ten years of marriage (and one so called professional suggested that we not get married, and my fiancé should come to clinic and talk with her about the implications of marrying me.)
Invitro fertilization was something I have watched and read about for some time. It is an option we never thought we could afford due to the costs involved. We had all prior genetic tests performed to see what the possibilities of the CF genes could incur- the results were negative as to the ones that are commonly tested for. The fact that Invitro might not work never crossed our minds- we knew in our hearts and through God this would happen. We saved for years- put the overtime money aside. It also helped that we were both able to work what ever hours we could, sometimes for me it was up to 85 hours in a week. Without hospital stays and good health also helped to achieve this goal. In October of 2002 with everything with a "go" from the fertility clinic and conformation via an ultra sound we had a pregnancy! Not only did we have a pregnancy it was without a hitch for nine months wherein our prayers were answered with a healthy 7 lb. 13 oz. baby girl. The first try the first time with everything --- we feel for all those who are trying for a successful pregnancy, or who have been disappointed. For everyone that deals with the frustrations of CF I can't help but hold a special place in my heart for you- you are of the special ones in this world. May God bless you for your faithfulness in him.
This article should not be taken with negative feeling towards your doctors or clinics. It is just a very brief history of my experiences. I have been stubborn in my actions at times and has caused undue situations. I am a 39 year old who still has a zeal for life in the outdoors and loves the time with my wife and daughter.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
As many of you know, growing up with CF employs many challenges- whether it is physical, social, or physiological. Dreams play a major part in daily thoughts. Will I be healthy enough to do the things I want to do? Will I ever succeed in what interests me? Do I have what it takes to overcome some of the everyday obstacles my health throws at me? The big question is will I find that extra special person to share my life with? What is to become of my life? One could ponder hundreds of questions all day. So it will be left at these.
The dream I always had was to be part of my own family, wife and children. Many professionals either out of ignorance or personal admirations for the world always tried to keep me under their thumb as to the way I lead my life and dreams. I was threatened as a child as to what I would have to do if I did not do what they said. I spent many hours in clinics with the same results. He is healthy, but he has CF, and he will need to do this and come back in a couple of weeks. One time in particular my dad took me to the clinic, and they asked me if I had a bike and I replied with " yes", but it has a flat tire right now. The response from the doctor immediately turned me to question doctors from then on. They repeatedly told my dad in so many words that he was not taking good enough care of me, because that bike had a flat tire( which it had just gone flat before we left for the clinic) Who were these people to tell my dad he wasn't a good father! I was outraged! so for years I had very little if any respect and association with the CF clinics and doctors. Not just because of the comments they said to my dad, but numerous situations that arose that never made me feel comfortable with the efforts for how I felt or what I thought , just what they thought was to be done. This was just one example. My life was lead by what my dad thought good for his son. After all, they kept telling him I probably would not live to see my teen years- so I was raised along side my other brothers and sisters without exception. Years later the things my dad did in how and what I ate and how I lived my life was finally used with others with much better success that had been with other CF patients. I spent my youth climbing and hunting the mountains around southern Arizona and central Utah. I was on the tennis, baseball and basketball teams even played city league softball. Raised hogs, steers and rode dirt bikes. I could keep up with the best of them. Until I was hurt at work with an ACL /meniscus tear and damaged condyle. Of all the things I could handle and have dealt with- to take away my ability to have two dependable knees. To keep me healthy. The one thing I knew would keep me alive inside. This has literally turned my life upside down- health wise. I can"t perform all those fun healthy activities anymore even with a reconstruct and four times under the knife- the knee pops out of joint and it is extremely painful to put back in.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Bruce Marshall, with his understanding and caring way. He truly is a man of medicine who cares about his patients desires and needs. Without whom I would have never started going back to clinics- regardless of my health. My life and my way is the attitude I have developed over the years and has helped keep me this healthy this long. With new opportunities and responsibilities comes a realization that it is not just about me any longer, I have to live for others.
I had read an article in one of the CF newsletters from January 1994 titled TWO PERSPECTIVES ON SINGLENESS AND CF. In one of these articles the man that wrote it touched me deeply- for two things had always rolled through my mind 1. Stay healthy 2. Marriage. He almost spoke for me when he talked about relationships and the desire to find true love. I know it is really difficult for someone to truly love someone with CF, but I think those who do find true love are the most blessed people on earth. Until that time I had only a glimpse of a true love.
That very special someone did fall in love with me, regardless of my health and all my other downfalls. She is truly one of a kind- a real example of commitment, understanding and pure love. Other married men have asked if their wives could " hang out" with my wife and show them how to be more like her and her willingness to help me.
I have been tremendously blessed, now going on ten years of marriage (and one so called professional suggested that we not get married, and my fiancé should come to clinic and talk with her about the implications of marrying me.)
Invitro fertilization was something I have watched and read about for some time. It is an option we never thought we could afford due to the costs involved. We had all prior genetic tests performed to see what the possibilities of the CF genes could incur- the results were negative as to the ones that are commonly tested for. The fact that Invitro might not work never crossed our minds- we knew in our hearts and through God this would happen. We saved for years- put the overtime money aside. It also helped that we were both able to work what ever hours we could, sometimes for me it was up to 85 hours in a week. Without hospital stays and good health also helped to achieve this goal. In October of 2002 with everything with a "go" from the fertility clinic and conformation via an ultra sound we had a pregnancy! Not only did we have a pregnancy it was without a hitch for nine months wherein our prayers were answered with a healthy 7 lb. 13 oz. baby girl. The first try the first time with everything --- we feel for all those who are trying for a successful pregnancy, or who have been disappointed. For everyone that deals with the frustrations of CF I can't help but hold a special place in my heart for you- you are of the special ones in this world. May God bless you for your faithfulness in him.
This article should not be taken with negative feeling towards your doctors or clinics. It is just a very brief history of my experiences. I have been stubborn in my actions at times and has caused undue situations. I am a 39 year old who still has a zeal for life in the outdoors and loves the time with my wife and daughter.