I am so excited you came by!

Thursday 30 April 2009

It's Happened.... it finally happened!

LADIES & GENTLEMAN,

The City of Cornwall proudly presents, the 30th birthday of Alison Proulx, on this the 30th Day of April 2009.

Yes you read correctly folks, I am now in my 30th year of life, and I owe it all to the medical marvel of organ transplant, and modern medicine. Not to mention my positive attitude towards Lung transplantation, and the dire need to tell everyone my story. It doesn't and will never get old. But I sure will. I was thinking today, if I had to do it all over again, would I?... HELL YEAH I would, in a heart beat.

Think about it, with my positive attitude towards life, and the meaning of it, why wouldn't I? I was raised to believe in the greater good of all human beings. Doctors are there to make you well, although at times, we wish they would all think what we were thinking, but sometimes that just doesn't happen. MY parents are like little bundles of knowledge and wisdom. Too bad it took me forever to realize that Mom & Dad are always right. D-uh!

As I sit at my computer desk, recanting the last 38 minutes of my birthday, I can't help but tell everyone that I love them, for all their support, their knowledge, their time and their patience with me. I know I have been unpleasant to be around at times, and I know I had been, and can still be a little demanding. There is so much I want to teach, and learn, and share with the world, that my face will be the best thing you will see in a long time.

CF will not only be cured in my lifetime, but I cannot wait to see other children live to be 30 like I am today, on April 30th, 2009. This, mu Campaign birthday. I had a dream last night about a dear friend who passed away a few years back, she was beautiful in that dream of mine. She laughed and smile, and was talking with us. I know she isn't here, but her spirit was so in my dream, that it was like I was talking with her, like we did in high school.

Candace, you have always been on my mind, and I think of you very often,
and visit you when I visit my grandfather.
You are a wonderful soul, and heart.
You will never be forgotten in my mind, or my thoughts.
There you will live forever.


To all my friends and family, thank you. To all my friends and family who have passed, I will remember you. To new and old Friends, may we keep in contact, and to my sibling and parents, I owe you my life, and to my Handsome husband, with whom I am as strong today as the day we met, you are my rock, my inspiration and my life. I owe you everything, because you have given me more than I could possible ask for in a human being... Undefined, and undivided love, attention and affection. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today.

Kisses & love to all my People, my community and my family & friends. you all make me a special someone.

Kisses & Hugs to you all forever.

Ali
XOXOXO


Saturday 25 April 2009

Tales from the Transplant Clinic

So it was a rainy Monday morning, and the not only does the weather suck, but I have been sitting in the waiting room waiting to be seen for the last 2 hours. I guess if you get to the clinic early, they still won't see you early. Cause some people may be sick and need the extra time. Well wouldn't you think that they would see the people who aren't as sick first in order not to spread the illness any farther? Well maybe that would be my mentality, but I think that is how it should work. Mind you when I was sick, I though the opposite. lol

Anyhow, on to the meaning of this posting. I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting patiently with my crosswords, and I was listening to these two older men talking. I am not talking about some men who are in their 50 or 60's, these men were significantly older. The one gentleman was 68 and 14 years post transplant, 14 years, how much more promising can that possibly get for me. The other gentlemen, who was so cute, and frail, but adorable none the less, was 11 years post transplant, and he was so cute.

I couldn't help but over hear their stories, of how the one man, who owns a farm out in Barrie, has corn roast every summer with other transplant patients in the area. His wife, is so adorable also, she little, chunky and has the cutest smile. She has curly white w=hair, and she looks like an angel. she's precious. The gentleman, is 3 of four in his family who have all had Double lung transplants. He was saying to me that there is one man who goes to his roast every summer who is 19 years post transplant.

The gentleman who is 14 years post, said the best thing he could have ever done was to get the transplant. He was able to live to see his grandson grow up to be a "Fine young man". He never thought he was going to see him grow up. Listening to their stories is such an inspiration, that I am even more grateful everyday to the Grandfather up above, who gave me life, and made me the person I am today. Mind you a lot of that has to do with how I was raised. And every day I thank the lord above for my family, my friends and my Donor, most importantly my donor.

An that note, I want to say how happy I am for Ashley, a new friend who I met from across the hall when I was admitted in Toronto at St. Mike's. We have never met face to face, cause we aren't allowed, but she has decided to be put on the list. So together we have to congratulate her on a difficult and brave choice. I am so very proud of her, for taking this step. It's a tough one for some, and others not so much, but an important one none the less.

Ashley, if you are reading this I want you to know that no matter what choice you make, and if you ever need anything, you know you can always be in touch with me, whether you call me or write, I am always here. You have a friend in me, and will always be a sister in health. There isn't anything you can do that would ever upset me. When your sick, I'll make you laugh, when you cry, I'll make you smile, and when you want to give up, I will encourage you to be strong. That is what true friends do.

Love everyone to pieces, and thank you so much for everything you all do, and continue to do for me, and my family. You are all my inspiration.

Kisses & hugs
Ali

Monday 20 April 2009

For Patrick & Cara; PART #2

WELCOME HOME PATRICK
SO HAPPY FOR YOU CARA BEAR!

I have to put this in here.

My great friend Cara had the best week last week. As you can see, her husband Patrick came home from being deployed overseas for the past 7.5 months. I couldn't imagine being without Derek for more than a week, let a lone 7.5 months.

Cara is one of the strongest women I know. Not only is she strong in mind, but strong in character, & spirit. Only she, and the many other military wives/husbands have this spirit. I don't have that particular spirit, but I do have a strong spirit in another way.

When I see this picture, I think of the greatness of these men & women who fight for their country on a regular basis.

This man, Patrick, is a perfect example of one of these spirits. It takes one heck of a man, to put up with us Cystic Fibrosis chicks. Patrick, if you are reading this, you and my husband get Medals beyond medals for living, taking care of, and sticking by us.

These pictures are nothing compared to the emotions I felt just looking at them. Can you imagine actually being there? Truly something you have to experience. I can't wait to see the video this summer, when I visit these two wonderful people.

Cara you are an inspiration to us all. Your smile is enough to make me smile, and I can only imagine how wonderful your laugh is. "P" there is not much more I can say to express how thrilled I am to see you home safely, when I saw Cara's pictures I cried, and I smiled uncontrollably. The fly by gave me goosebumps, i can hear the sonic sounds of the engines as you fly by. But to see the formation, the blue sky and just the thought of Cara waiting for you on the ground, picturing her, jumping up and down like a Mexican Jumping Bean.

This is a wonderful time for Cara & Patrick. Have a great honeymoon, and we'll see you this summer.

Love you both very much!

Kisses & Hugs
Ali

Wednesday 15 April 2009

For Patrick & Cara

What's Happening These days...

Oh my Goodness, there is so much excitement that I can barely contain myself at this very moment. So much has been happening that I don't know where to start. Let's start with my 6 week Broncoscopy results, NO REJECTION, INFECTION or BACTERIA. Woohoo.

More importantly, it's all about the return of Patrick to my dear friend Cara...



But there is something more important than that. It may not be for most, but it surely is for my great friend Cara. You remember Cara, my 150% Texan friend who lives in Virginia, who's husband Patrick is in the military. You see, this beautiful, big heart, lovely lady is going to be having the time of her life soon. Her husband comes home from his deployment in less than 2 days. I am so excited for them both. He'll be safe and sound here on North American soil, and in Cara's arms, where she so excitedly awaits his arrival. Cara, this is the best thing that can happen this year, next to my transplant. It's in the same category. Not to mention your kick ass check-up, way to go girl.

These are the two pictures that make me love this wonderfully, healthy, happy and spiritual couple. They live life, like Derek and I do, to the fullest.

These are my favorite pictures of Cara and Patrick. Let's welcome him home with open arms, and make sure that he knows how grateful we all are. I may not be American, but Cara is my sister in every imaginable way. I support her and Patrick, and I am so excited for him to come home to her.




Cara & Patrick, I love you both,
and I am so happy for you.

WELCOME HOME Patrick!!!
With love from CANADA.







In other news...

My PFT's are up, I had my first CF clinic since my transplant, and it went very well. All is good in Ali Land. I have gained weight, and it's feeling great.

Can't wait to travel, and enjoy life, and hang out with friends. But most importantly, I get to enjoy breathing, and visiting Cara when they get back from their long overdue Honeymoon.

And it all comes back to CARA!!! See how much I love this girl. She's a spitfire.

Kisses & Hugs
Ali


Friday 3 April 2009

New & Exciting

Well if I haven't been keeping you informed it's for good reason.

I could let you all know the basics as hey happen, or I can make this a simple little update at once. So Monday March 30th, 2009 was my 6 week anniversary with NEW LUNGS, had my clinic appointment, blood work and all the glitz and glamor, Tuesday, Thursday and Today (Friday) I had Physio, Wednesday was my 6 week Broncoscopy, where they check for rejection and other infections or bacteria. Naturally there are the PFT's and weight. All that is going up.

PFT results by date;

03/09/2009: FVC: 2.6 / 71% FEV1: 1.9 / 60% FEV1/FVC ratio %: 86%
03/16/2009: FVC: 2.4 / 66% FEV1: 2.0 / 62% FEV1/FVC ratio %: 96%
03/23/2009: FVC: 2.7 / 74% FEV1: 2.2 / 71% FEV1/FVC ratio %: 98%
03/30/2009: FVC: 2.8 / 78% FEV1: 2.3 / 73% FEV1/FVC ratio %: 96%

Wednesday's Broncoscopy results, just got the call today @ 4:15pm (Friday April 3, 2009) and the results are, NO REJECTION, as for infections and bacteria, they are still checking the cultures. those are easy to take of, it's the "R" word I was waiting for. Isn't that fantastic. I am so excited about it to. I was so thrilled, that I had to leave a message with my Transplant Coordinator, that I was so thrilled. Bronx's aren't that bad, in fact they are kind of cool. They give you this medicine through IV, (they used my port) and it makes you tipsy. I love it. It must be similar to being drunk, or '"feeling good" as they say. It's been so long, I don't remember.

So that is the latest on that front. Very exciting. Well, not much else to report, I am feeling like a million dollars, now if only i had that much, I would really enjoy myself.

Cheers, Love & Good health to you all

Ali

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