New Beginnings

This is a little background into why I started this blog. I will write a few posts about past experiences to catch everyone up with where I am in my life now. In hindsight, I should have started this blog two years ago, but better late than never :)

On July 13, 2010, my whole world was turned upside down. Prior to that date, I had just graduated from college with a degree in nonprofit management, had moved in with my boyfriend (soon to be fiance-- we were ring shopping!), and was happy, albeit stressed and unhealthy.

My boyfriend, Michael, had a genetic disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Like most people, I had no idea what that meant until I spent a considerable amount of time with Mike and saw the toll that the disease can take. It primarily affects the lungs and digestive system of people with the disease. It causes sever lung infections that cause permanent lung damage, not to mention the asthma, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, and severely shortened life expectancy that most suffer from. In the two and a half year span of our relationship, Mike's lung function dropped from a solid 30-35% to 17%. Imagine that the average, healthy, active adult has 100% lung function. You breathe completely normally. You have no trouble sleeping in any position, and can easily climb stairs or take your dog for a walk. Now imagine not being able to do ANY of that. Imagine having the lung capacity of someone breathing out of a straw, of having to do breathing treatments of 3-4 different meds 3-4 times a day. Imagine not being able to take your dog for a walk and having to use handicap elevators and parking spots, because any further would be too far to walk. Imagine being hooked up to oxygen 24/7. Now, imagine having to deal with all of this at 28 years old.

This was Mike's life, but he was the biggest inspiration and the reason that I am where I am in my life today. He taught me that disease would not hold him back, and optimisim (with a bit of sarcasm), would make everything better.

On July 13, 2010, at age 28, Mike passed away at UCSD Medical Center while awaiting a lung transplant that could have extended his life. We were planning to get married after his lung transplant.

My entire world came crashing down, but Mike's outlook on life and my desire to make him proud have brought me to where I am today-- healthy, happy, and ready for new beginnings.