Normal

According to my doctor, nurse and today's PFT results, I have normal lung function! WOO HOO! I had my clinic visit today at 11:00am, so I left my house around 9 to make sure I gave myself enough time. It only took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the hospital today - I think that's record time - there was no traffic! Of course, then I was 40 minutes early by the time I parked, but that's okay, got a little reading in.

I got in right away, they weighed me (same weight, yay!) then put me in a room, took my blood pressure (fine), oxygen levels (99%), and asked me a million questions about my medications and how I'm feeling (wonderful!). Finally, it was time for my PFTs. My goal for today was to get my FEV1 into the 90% range. The first test I did, I got an FEV1 of 88% - not bad, up from last time. I told the respiratory therapist (lady administering the test) that I was really shooting for 90s, so she was really encouraging and she said, "Okay, this time you'll get it." I tried again - same thing, 88%. Tried one final time (they always have me do at least three to get the average) and it was the exact same thing again, so I had to face  the fact that I wasn't getting into the 90s this time. The RT was still very encouraging telling me how 88% is still great, but I was still kind of bummed. When my nurse and doctor both saw my results, they were very pleased and pretty much just told me to keep up the good work!

I know I shouldn't be disappointed, but I kind of am. I have been really trying hard at keeping myself healthy - I was hoping the PFTs would reflect how I'm feeling. I'm at 144 days of compliance with my Vest and nebs, and I've been going to the gym twice a week for two or three months now. I feel much more than just 2% better. I'm definitely not going to stop anything I'm doing because I know it's working because I feel fantastic no matter what the PFTs say. I was glad to see an increase, rather than just maintaining, so I'm just going to keep pushing myself to keep going to the gym because I think that's what really making the difference. It also feels really good to be able to say that I have the lung function of a 'normal' person!

Tim and I have a very busy, travel-filled weekend ahead of us, starting as soon as Tim gets home from work tonight. I'm determined to keep my compliance streak alive even with all of our traveling, so as soon as I finish my PM treatment today, I'm packing up my Vest, nebulizer and accessories into the trunk to come with us on our little road trip across the entire state of Illinois. It'll be tough fitting in all of my treatments, but I can't let 144 days go to waste.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and I'll be sure to fill you in on all of our activities next week (adorable pictures included).