Bucket List

"If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page." ~Mark Houlahan

I haven't written in awhile and I decided to come here and let me thoughts wander as usual. Since I last wrote, I was able to prevent the infectious fire from spreading in my lungs, avoiding the hospital at all costs. Thankfully, the oral antibiotics did the trick with the help of the magical nebulized Cayston antibiotic. Being that I can not see what is going on inside my lungs, I often use analogies and imagery to paint a picture. When I start becoming more congested with an infection, this causes my airways to tighten, and I become more crackly compared to my regular CF mucus days, I try to jump on it as fast as possible. I almost think of it as a fire inside, if I'm able to catch it early then I can prevent the fast spread, damage, and disaster to come. With my pulmazyme, hypertonic saline solution, and Cayston trying to be the extinguisher. Everyday it's like a constant flame burning in my lungs, the disease being chronic, causing damage over time. Making me realize that time is a very precious thing I have right now.

I have never really sat down and written a bucket list on a piece of paper, but inside my head I have my list of things I want to accomplish in life. I was able to cross out one of the activities on my bucket list recently. I went to PARIS! I had the most amazing time with my fiancee, my best friend Christina, and her fiancee Jake. I loved every moment. It was definitely an adventure for me and my taste buds! I tried so many french dishes, I was open to everything including escargot which I enjoyed. We were able to see the top tourist sites including, The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, shopping on the Champs-Elysees, Sacre Coeur, The Louvre, and we saw the Moulin Rouge. The best part is that my best friend asked me to be her bridesmaid on the very top of the Eiffel Tower! I was shocked, I had no idea she was going to pop the question haha. There were two moments during the trip where I had thought I can't believe I am doing this, as I put one foot in front of the other. I was able to climb to the top of the Notre Dame and the top of the Arc de Triomphe. My lungs aren't in the best shape right now and I'm lacking a normal oxygen level on room air. After hearing that my lungs are damaged due to Cystic Fibrosis a billion times has made me look at climbing a billion stairs as a feat in itself. I definitely spoke some lovely french words on the Notre Dame climb and the Arc de Triomphe climb! Even though I probably looked like Quasimodo when I got to the top, I felt like a superstar. There was an indescribable feeling that came over me, and even though I did not make it known to my fiancee, Christina, or Jake, I was silently dancing inside. Overall, it was an amazing trip with amazing people!