About Me

When I was 3 weeks old I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you who don't know Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. CF is a multi-system disease, primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects of the disease are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes increasingly severe respiratory problems. It may be difficult to clear bacteria from the lungs, leading to cycles of infection and inflammation, which damage delicate lung tissue. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. Large quantities of enzymes must be consumed with every meal and snack. As improved therapies have helped to address the malnutrition issues, virtually all Cystic Fibrosis related deaths are due to lung disease. 

Growing up I was generally really healthy despite having CF. I completed my daily physio and took all of my medications. In 2005 I was granted a wish from the Children's Wish Foundation and took my mom, sister, stepdad, and all of his kids to DisneyWorld for a week. It was a great trip. Throughout middle and high school I participated in sports and graduated with honors in 2009. I had been in and out of hospital a few times to receive iv treatments for lung infections, but nothing too serious. I went on to start my degree in Education at Red Deer College in the fall. I was then told I had somehow got a bad bacteria in my lungs call mycobacterium abscessus. After finding out I had this bug growing in my lungs my doctors began treating it but it is really resistant. It requires a multi-antibiotic approach to try and keep it stable. I have since been in and out of hospital receiving iv treatments as well as being on home iv therapy for months at a time. Despite the medical setback I completed my first 2 years in the Education program and went on to apply for the collaborative Middle Years Education Program through the University of Alberta. I was accepted and just recently completed the third year of my degree in this specialized education program. After completing my third year we began the transplant journey and I will be taking a leave from my education until after my transplant and recovery. My blog will follow me throughout the entirety of the process. 

My mom has been helping care for me at home and is able to administer all of my iv antibiotics at home as she is an RN. She is a great help and I could not go through this without her. I also have one sister who is 2 years older than me who does not have CF. She also helps me out a lot. 

My mom and I in Cuba

Global One Helicopter Ride

Cuba 2009

My sister and I

My good pal, Fluffy