Kevin Bauereis

The newest Hero of Hope Living with CF, Kevin Bauereis, 28, who has worked hard his entire life, never letting CF get in the way of his dreams. As a testament to his work ethic, Kevin is currently completing his residency in anesthesiology and plans to become a pediatric anesthesiologist because he is passionate about working with kids and giving back. Struggling to accept having CF, Kevin had a hard time coming to terms with his disease and being compliant with his medication as a kid. It wasn't until meeting with his doctor who told him if he wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor, he would have to learn to make his health a priority before helping others. "Setting goals and working towards your dream is the best thing you can do because it will help you focus on the future. I used to dream about being a doctor all my life and I can now say that through hard work and determination, I accomplished my dream. Not once did I let CF stand in my way. CF should never be an excuse for somebody not reaching their dreams. We may not live a long life but we can live a dream-fulfilled life. No matter how big your dream is, go after it with 100% motivation and effort because if you do, your dreams can come true." Heroes of Hope™ Living with CF recognizes individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) who live full and productive lives while managing their healthcare needs. To date, Heroes of Hope has honored more than 70 outstanding individuals with CF around the United States. Heroes of Hope recipients inspire others through their outstanding accomplishments, dedication to health maintenance and contributions to their communities.  To learn more about Kevin CLICK HERE. To nominate your Hero CLICK HERE

Living IS the dream

Sharlie inspires me each and every day and I know she inspires many. She truly is AMAZING, I am lucky to have her as one of my besties! BCF!!!! I love you Shar SO very much and I agree with your mom " I feel another miracle coming on" Xo infinity!!






Sharlie received great news from Stanford last night!!! She was accepted to be able to receive a Heart/Lung transplant.

CLICK HERE to read her blog post from last night. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she embarks on this new journey.

To be a part of Sharlie's Angels CLICK HERE

Fly by the seat of my pants

Some of the best times are those that are unplanned...

Last Saturday around 4 pm some friends and I decided to get some last minute tickets to go see Tim McGraw which started at 7. Crazy right!??!

We had a BLAST!!!!! So much fun. We just sat on the lawn seats at one of the outdoor venues, it was seriously such a good time! I need to make a point of being more spontaneous!!! I had my cowboy boots on, borrowed my friends hat, packed a o2 tank just in case and we were off. We got our Country on!!

*disclaimer*

 I have noticed I over use the ! to whomever that may bother... sorry. However, I don't think I am ever going to stop using the ! or in my case never going to stop over using it ;)

Have a great MON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha Ha!!

Xo

Really Aug?!?!?!

Um where did July go? Wow I feel as if this summer is racing by. I am going to guess that I am not alone on this feeling.

I have been slacking on my blog posts. I need to catch up...

~Osc and Lills both had their yearly check ups in July I can't believe they are 6 & 7. All was good with both of them Osc did have a lil ear infection but it has cleared up. I started giving them both a lil bit of plain yogurt daily just to help keep them healthy, dogs need probiotics too ;)

"can we go now?" 

~I had a check up in July and seem to be maintaining. My Fev1 was a 33 which seems to be my new baseline but am hoping I can still blow higher, I guess I always hope to blow higher. What do they say reach for the moon you'll land on the stars? Something like that. Maintaining is key tho and I am doing everything I can and more to keep these twins in tip top shape. I started putting my treadmill at a incline when I walk on it, maybe this will help some it requires more o2 so its doing something! I do find my sugar levels get a lil low (well I am assuming I just get that feeling that they are) after my workout does this happen to anyone else? is that normal? I am not diabetic maybe a lil borderline but aren't all Cfers ;) they did say once I was hypoglycemic so maybe thats what I am feeling.

~Fireworks are finally over thank goodness. They were getting on my nerves a whole month of them is a too much in my opinion, and people were doing them at all hours. Ugh! The babies were not loving it either, they even slept by my bed a couple nights poor lil babies were scared.

Lills loving on her baby doll

~My friend Sharlie is going thru transplant evaluation she has been blogging about her days during the whole process. Click here to follow her blog. Any positive vibes, good ju ju, prayers whatever it is you may have she would greatly appreciate them.

~I discovered a new Ben & Jerrys ice cream flavor. LATE NIGHT SNACK! It is so yummy, it has vanilla bean ice cream with salted carmel swirl with choc covered potato chips. How amazing does that sound?! So far to date I have finished off 3 containers of it so I thought I better take a lil break Ha!

~ I have been swimming twice this summer where I actually have gone in the pool. I did just once last summer and then before that it prob was 4 years or so. It's my lil mermaid McNoodle she can make me do anything. She thought it was pretty cool that I could do a handstand in the pool. She's so cute and getting smarter every day, she is 5 going on 20. I can't believe she starts kindergarten soon, Riv is 2 now and won't say my name for the life of him, he's a stubborn one.

McNoodle wearing my sun hat

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.
Xo

Connect the dots

Ugh!!! I am not a fan of many creepy crawling things. Bees and spiders are my worst fears as most of you may know.

Well this little creature is SO annoying and I think I have had more mosquito bites this summer then the last 5 years put together. Thank you mother nature for all the moisture. I wouldn't consider myself that outdoorsy and I rarely find my self outside during prime biting hours. I can't imagine how it would be for all those that are out in nature a ton... I hope they are using some repellant.

Its one thing to get bit but I seem to be allergic to them and they are very itchy and of course I cannot not itch them and so I itch and then they balloon up. I used repellant one night and was gagging and had to immediately shower it off when I get home, that stuff is lethal.

So basically I am a life sized connect the dots right now. Good times!

An unmade bed may help you breathe easier...

So I saw this the other day on FB and I was so excited to see it. I hardly ever make my bed, maybe its because of all the years that I HAD to make it. I really just don't see the point!! I mean you are just going to get right back in it later, and if you're like me and need that afternoon nap well then thats even more reason not to make your bed.

An unmade bed may help you breathe easier... A study suggests that microscopic dust mites -implicated in some respiratory problems- are less likely to survive in unmade beds; exposure to air dehydrates the creatures. But warmth and moisture trapped in smooth sheets may help dusts mites thrive.

Reason enough for me to probably never make my bed again ;)

Video Short #1

Cystic Fibrosis Newly Diagnosed: Real-World Lessons on Coping with Your Child’s CF

Now online! Genentech has a new video on the CFLiving.com site that we think will be helpful to the CF community. 

It can be very tough when you first find out your child has CF; you might not even know where to start. Now on http://bit.ly/mGa1uu, you can check out a Video Short where CF parents and experts share their personal journeys and provide tips on what’s worked for them to cope with their child’s CF, from the diagnosis to everyday life. 

The video features: Lisa Greene, certified parent coach and educator; Dr. Foster Cline, child psychiatrist and co-founder of the Love & Logic® Institute; America’s Got Talent finalists, Ali and Christina Christensen, and their parents; Kat Quinn East, CF parent and founder of the Blooming Rose Foundation; and Somer Love, an adult with CF and author of the blog, Love to Breathe. The stories in this first installment of the CF Community Video Short series may be helpful in preparing you and your family for the road ahead.