Just a bunch of random thoughts tonight.
Health Care Reform
Ok, I don’t know anything about politics and I don’t claim too. I know that something needs to be done, however. I just found out that my health insurance premiums for next year are going to go up 50%. That’s bad, but I’ve good insurance so I’ll take that.
But, as a CF patient, I have enough medical expense. Let’s list out the meds alone. Albuterol $10, Pulmozyme $40, Tobi $40, Ultrase $20, Synthroid $20, Mirapex $20, Nasonex $20, Azythromycin $10, Flovent $20, Patanol $20. So, that’s $210 per month, just for meds. And, of course, most of those will go to $40 next year (just my guess). This doesn’t include the doc visits. And of course my wife and kids have bills too. It’s crazy. I know that’s not what needs to be fixed, but it’s the part that I see each and every day.
Shock to the System
My new friend Tara is going through a very tough time. She’s 34 and a former elite tri-athlete. On September 1, she was diagnosed with CF. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. She I don’t know life without CF. She did and I guess still remembers it. Well, Tara, when you read this, things will get better. You once said you were pondering the meaning of your life now. Well, I can tell you what I think it should be. You should use your experiences and physical talents to inspire the rest of the CF patients out there. Even though you now you have CF now, you also had it when you were winning tri’s. Use that to show people what they can do to overcome challenges. That’s just my opinion. BTW, I’m still going to push you to come run The Pig with me.
Hug Me!
Ok, not literally. My ankle needs it. I go back to the doc on Tuesday and hope to be able to walk again. I’m not holding my breath however. Well, I think there’s a chance. See, my ankle has been hurting lately. It’s my deltoid ligament, on the inside of my ankle. It’s only when I sleep and I think it’s because I move it too much when I sleep. It feels much better when I keep it wrapped. So, I guess until Tuesday, it’s going to stay wrapped as much as I can bear. Like I said, I just need a hug.
Good Luck Kelby
My friend Kelby is running her first full marathon tomorrow. She’s running the Marine Corps Marathon in DC. I won’t tell you what her goal is, in case she doesn’t make it. If she does, however, I’ll sing her praises here on my next post. Good luck tomorrow Kelby. Remember, it’s not the 26 miles that kills you, it’s the 0.2 at the end. Also, remember to have fun. There’s nothing like finishing you’re first full.
Hi Mark, and all blog readers. I’m Tara. I was just diagnosted on 9/1 as mark indicated and it was a shock for a lot of reasons to me. I am a former elite runner/triathlete… I had 20 kidney surgeries from a car vs. bike (me) accident while training for an ironman… that took me out of a lot of competition. I am now a very happy middle-of-the-packer, grateful for my ability to run. I have a desire to spread knowledge. I have to figure out the venue for that. In time I will. You can count on that. I am in for The Pig. Definitely In.
I did use 9/1/09 as an opportunity (it is ongoing) to assess where I am, what I want to be doing and can I really do it?
I’m still at “where I am”— I think I will stay here as long as I can. I am moving to what I will do with the knowledge of where I am.
Mark has been a great inspiration for me. He was the first person outside of my spouse that I reached out to. I will never forget his amazinly warm and timely response.
Keep Running my friends.
do while hug.needed
Mark.hug
loop
Chin up buck-a-roo
😉
Hi Mark,
Just found your site today. I am a marathoner and CFer as well. I actually ran cross country and track for the Univ of Oklahoma. After my last conference meet my senior year I decided to do a marathon because I figured I would never be in that kind of shape again (come to find out- 5K-10K shape is a little different than marathon shape… i.e. 13 mile long runs don’t really cut it!). I went out a bit too fast (I think I was clocking 7:15-7:30 miles for the first half) but ended up getting some gatorlyte (high-sodium gatorade) and GU and finished in 3:30. It was the accomplishment of a lifetime.
That was about 4 years ago- I am 26 now, married with a son Max (who was born after my second marathon-equivalent exertion- a drug-free labor:)
My sister and I are both DF508/2184delA.
Interested to read about your trial results…. and particularly your sweat changes…. I can’t wait for a day when I am not caked in white crystals post-workout 🙂 I believe I have a hunch which trial you are in and I have heard through the grapevine that others are having similar and very exciting results. I am just eager for them to open it up to those of us that are heterozygous DF508.
Keep running!!!
hey mate… i had my flu shot…went fine…just a saw arm for a day…. no real flu system.
check out my cf blog http://www.pegsoninthepresent.com