When I started this mission, I wasn't expecting this good of results so quickly. I had it all figured out that if I could gain 0.10L per month, it would take me approximately 1 year to reach my first goal, and even THAT seemed like a lot of ground to gain. I really don't know what to say about the speed I am improving. I'm still pretty speechless about the whole thing, but wanted to share my progress with you for the past week!
I also wanted to add that when I started my workouts, I added a few supplements to the list. I have been taking 10,000mg of Lipo-Spheric Vitamin C/day, and with the absorption rate of the Lipo-Spheric, it is supposed to equal anywhere between 50,000 and 80,00mg of regular vitamin C without the bowel issues. And let me tell you, its like opening up the flood gates with this stuff! I get such good clearance right after I take it, and feel so good for the rest of the day! Also, I have been taking 8-10g of Omega 3's every day for inflammation, and I really do think that it is having a HUGE part in why I have been able to work out as much as I have without having ANY muscle stiffness or soreness! So I am going to continue taking both of these, and see where it takes me!
Now, the lung function update. This morning I woke up and went for a quick 1km jog, and realized that it was already way to hot outside for me, so I came back and finished another 30 minutes on the stair stepper. Sat for about 10 minutes, took a swig of Ventolin, and decided to do a blow.
In the 1 week it has been since I last blew (which by the way, seemed like FOREVER) my FEV1 went from 2.23L (58%) to 2.47L (64%)!!! It's still so hard to believe that only 3 weeks ago I was stuck at 46%, and even just this past May/June I was down to 36%. I have gained 18% lung function in 21 days, and I can't remember the last time I felt this good. I was looking over my lung function history, and I haven't had a number this high since September of 2009. I have already went back 2 years of my life, in only 3 weeks! I hope it just keeps getting better and better!
Stay tuned..
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
In Complete Shock!
So I told myself that I wasn't going to obsess over my PFT numbers, and that I was only going to blow on the 1rst of every month to check my progress, but I've been so excited with what I have been seeing, I couldn't resist!
I am honestly in complete SHOCK of how well this is going! It's kind of a rainy, humid day here today, so I stuck with my stair stepper inside, and made it for an hour and 15 mins today! (I'm very proud of that, as three months ago I needed an oxygen tank to walk to the washroom!). After I finished my work out, I decided to break my own rules that I've set for myself, and out of curiosity, check my numbers.
Before I post what they were, I wanted to let you all know, that I know numbers aren't everything, and how you actually feel is VERY important. I am feeling SO much better already, and I think just the fact that I am actively doing something to help myself has a huge part in that. I have so much more energy during the day, and am sleeping much better at night! :)
Now for the update! It has been only 4 DAYS since I last checked, and my FEV1 has went from 2.01L (52%) to 2.23L (58%)!!! I can't believe it!
Now 12% down, 12% to go! Can't believe I'm half way there already! I'm so excited to see what happens next!
I am honestly in complete SHOCK of how well this is going! It's kind of a rainy, humid day here today, so I stuck with my stair stepper inside, and made it for an hour and 15 mins today! (I'm very proud of that, as three months ago I needed an oxygen tank to walk to the washroom!). After I finished my work out, I decided to break my own rules that I've set for myself, and out of curiosity, check my numbers.
Before I post what they were, I wanted to let you all know, that I know numbers aren't everything, and how you actually feel is VERY important. I am feeling SO much better already, and I think just the fact that I am actively doing something to help myself has a huge part in that. I have so much more energy during the day, and am sleeping much better at night! :)
Now for the update! It has been only 4 DAYS since I last checked, and my FEV1 has went from 2.01L (52%) to 2.23L (58%)!!! I can't believe it!
Now 12% down, 12% to go! Can't believe I'm half way there already! I'm so excited to see what happens next!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Getting Back On Track
So it's been a week since I have posted, and also since I have been back on my exercise regimen! I've decided to start off slow, and sort of ween myself back into it, and hopefully can avoid issues with my ankles. I am happy to say, SO FAR SO GOOD! :)
A few years ago, I purchased a hand held FEV1 meter, so I am able to monitor my lung functions fairly closely. And for those of you who may be skeptical about it, I have brought it into clinic to compare numbers, and they are always within 0.05L of each other, so the thing is fairly accurate!
So what I have been doing (and I'm sure my neighbours all think I'm really something!) is running from one hydro pole to the next, then walk for one. This may not sound like it's much of a work out, but it really gets things loose and I'm able to bring up lots of really deep, nasty mucous! There has also been a few days where it's just been way to humid to go running, so I still make sure to do at least 30 minutes inside on my stair stepper (preferably while I'm doing my treatments... it gets it in there soo much better!)..
NOW for the GREAT NEWS! It has only been ONE week since I was last at clinic, where I blew 1.77L (46%), and have been stuck around those numbers for the past month or two. I thought I would check my progress this morning, hoping to have seen maybe a 1 or 2% increase.. or ANY change at all really, and to my surprise I blew an astounding 2.01L (52%)!!! I am so excited! My first step in the right direction!
6% down.. 18% to go until Goal #1 is reached! :)
A few years ago, I purchased a hand held FEV1 meter, so I am able to monitor my lung functions fairly closely. And for those of you who may be skeptical about it, I have brought it into clinic to compare numbers, and they are always within 0.05L of each other, so the thing is fairly accurate!
So what I have been doing (and I'm sure my neighbours all think I'm really something!) is running from one hydro pole to the next, then walk for one. This may not sound like it's much of a work out, but it really gets things loose and I'm able to bring up lots of really deep, nasty mucous! There has also been a few days where it's just been way to humid to go running, so I still make sure to do at least 30 minutes inside on my stair stepper (preferably while I'm doing my treatments... it gets it in there soo much better!)..
NOW for the GREAT NEWS! It has only been ONE week since I was last at clinic, where I blew 1.77L (46%), and have been stuck around those numbers for the past month or two. I thought I would check my progress this morning, hoping to have seen maybe a 1 or 2% increase.. or ANY change at all really, and to my surprise I blew an astounding 2.01L (52%)!!! I am so excited! My first step in the right direction!
6% down.. 18% to go until Goal #1 is reached! :)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Gathering My Thoughts
To start things off, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Nicole, I'm 24 years old and was diagnosed at birth with Cystic Fibrosis. I have always been fairly healthy my whole life despite having CF. It wasn't until recently that it seems everything has come crashing down around me, and it has really made me take another look at things.
What DOES it mean to be 24? What SHOULD life be like for people my age? I always pictured that this period of my life would be the time for taking vacations, getting married, starting a family. It should be time for laughter and fun and making lifelong memories with friends, family, people you love. And although CF doesn't STOP you from doing these things, it definitely makes them difficult.
So what IS life like for a 24 year old CF'er? For me? Like I said, I have always been fairly healthy, but over these past few years, it feels like I am literally just sitting here watching my lung function drop.. 80%...70%...60%...50%...40%...30%...monthly trips to the clinic, PICC lines and IV antibiotics for weeks.. months at a time. Home care, oxygen tanks and steroids. People all around you waiting for, or receiving double lung transplants. It all becomes so overwhelming, and sometimes you just sit paralyzed with fear, not knowing what is going to happen next month, next week, or even tomorrow ...
And then it all came to me one night when I was sitting in my hospital bed. There HAS to be SOMETHING I can do to fix this. I started to look at my body as a machine that I was living in, and machines CAN be fixed. I decided then and there that I was going to do whatever it takes to get myself out of this horrible mess. I got up out of my hospital bed that night, cranked up my O2 tank, and started jogging on the spot. The first night I only made it 4 minutes, but I could already tell it was starting to help. The next day I made it to 6 minutes. After only a few days, I was up to 20 minute cycles 3 times a day and was feeling awesome. Within 2 weeks, my lung function had went from an all time low for me at 36%, back up to 53%, and I no longer needed the oxygen tank (thank god!). I do admit that I have somewhat slacked a bit on my jogging since (due to some bone/ankle issues) and have slipped back down to the high 40's, but I am not giving up! And jogging is just the beginning! I WILL fix this!
So I am starting this blog to share my story along the way (and of course my successes,because I KNOW I will have them), and to hopefully give hope to all the other CF'ers out there. This is going to be a long, bumpy road for all of us. Hold on tight...
Goodnight
What DOES it mean to be 24? What SHOULD life be like for people my age? I always pictured that this period of my life would be the time for taking vacations, getting married, starting a family. It should be time for laughter and fun and making lifelong memories with friends, family, people you love. And although CF doesn't STOP you from doing these things, it definitely makes them difficult.
So what IS life like for a 24 year old CF'er? For me? Like I said, I have always been fairly healthy, but over these past few years, it feels like I am literally just sitting here watching my lung function drop.. 80%...70%...60%...50%...40%...30%...monthly trips to the clinic, PICC lines and IV antibiotics for weeks.. months at a time. Home care, oxygen tanks and steroids. People all around you waiting for, or receiving double lung transplants. It all becomes so overwhelming, and sometimes you just sit paralyzed with fear, not knowing what is going to happen next month, next week, or even tomorrow ...
And then it all came to me one night when I was sitting in my hospital bed. There HAS to be SOMETHING I can do to fix this. I started to look at my body as a machine that I was living in, and machines CAN be fixed. I decided then and there that I was going to do whatever it takes to get myself out of this horrible mess. I got up out of my hospital bed that night, cranked up my O2 tank, and started jogging on the spot. The first night I only made it 4 minutes, but I could already tell it was starting to help. The next day I made it to 6 minutes. After only a few days, I was up to 20 minute cycles 3 times a day and was feeling awesome. Within 2 weeks, my lung function had went from an all time low for me at 36%, back up to 53%, and I no longer needed the oxygen tank (thank god!). I do admit that I have somewhat slacked a bit on my jogging since (due to some bone/ankle issues) and have slipped back down to the high 40's, but I am not giving up! And jogging is just the beginning! I WILL fix this!
So I am starting this blog to share my story along the way (and of course my successes,because I KNOW I will have them), and to hopefully give hope to all the other CF'ers out there. This is going to be a long, bumpy road for all of us. Hold on tight...
Goodnight
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