Health Update

I am happy to say that after being on IV antibiotics for 4 weeks, today will be my last day. It has been a month of ups and downs, but it is relieving to be at the end of this jaunt. I was on two different IV medications Ceftazidime and Colistimethate both every 8 hours. The medications aren't so bad, but they tend to make me quite nauseous and tired, and when you're already sick it is exhausting.
I am looking forward to begin a job search once my meds are finished and start working out again. I plan on running a 10 mile in October and it is never to early to start training and practicing!
I am hoping that exercise will help my PFT's (Pulmonary Function Test) increase. My numbers before IV antibiotics were around 36%, which is down 10% from my last test. My PFT's don't normally increase after IV antibiotics, it usually takes an additional month before I see an increase.
My energy levels haven't quite gotten back to normal yet, but hopefully now that the meds are finished I can get back to my baseline maybe even do a little better then that!

Want to know more about Cystic Fibrosis check out the video below.

I Confess!

Okay I admit it, I am a terrible Cystic. I am awful at taking my medications and treating my body correctly, but i'm working on it!
I get lectured all the time by my parents about not doing everything perfectly and honestly I know i don't but their comments and all that lack inspiration and really only make me feel bad about myself.
I should really consider myself lucky though, i take a bit of pills, but some people are on a lot more medications than I am. I just have a hard time remembering to do it. That sounds silly to a lot of people, yes I've been doing this for 20 years, but it's still something I have to remember to do. It takes a bit of time out of my day.
Just being random i thought I'd list all of my medications and when they're taken, maybe, hopefully this will inspire me to be better at taking me all

Morning

• Albuterol Breathing treatment 
• TOBI breathing treatment
• 10,000 IUs Vitamin D (5 caplets)
• Prilosec 
• Multi Vitamin
• CF Source Vitamin
• Vest (30 minutes)
• Rhinocort nasal spray
• Azythromycin (only Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
• 5 Enzymes (if i eat)
• Ciprofloxacilin

Afternoon

• Albuterol Breathing treatment
• Vest (30 minutes)
• 5 Enzymes (if i eat)

Evening

• Albuterol Breathing treatment
• Pulmozyne breathing treatment
• TOBI breathing treatment
• Zantac 75
• Rhinocort nasal spray
• Azythromycin (only Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
• 5 Enzymes (if I eat) 
• Cirprofloxacilin 

And I know i am missing a couple, so this will definitely be edited in the near future to include what I'm missing. 

This list also doesn't include the medications that change monthly, these are just the ones i'm taking right now.

Oh and no matter how often I take my medications or for how long, i will never be able to spell them. 

Wish me luck on this list!

Marissa

Fashion

I'm not really a huge fashion forward person, in fact I have a closet overflowing with clothes, but I prefer to ware the same outfits every week (after being cleaned of course) but I was invited to do a Fashion Show at the Dakota High School in Macomb Michigan last week to represent the Rock Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so of course I did!
I had the honor of getting my hair and makeup done which looked like this:

I was also given a Tony Bowls dress from his Paris collection to wear for the evening.

I co-hosted the event with a girl who was from the school and I also sang "She Will be Loved" by Maroon 5 (Video not yet available). It was a wonderful event for a charity that is very near and dear to my heart!
It was the first time I stood onstage at a charity event and represent not only myself but the disease I have, it's something I hope to do more of in the future.
While the speech I gave that night could have been better, I am proud of myself for being apart of the event and so honored to have been invited!
The dresses was loaned to me from Joani's Fashions in Shelby Township MI.
The ladies there were nothing but kind and polite and helpful! I appreciate them for going out of there to support the cause and dress many of the ladies that graced the catwalk that evening!

Welcome to February!

A month or love and wonderful things! My favorite part of February is when winter starts to end and spring begins!
I don't have a monthly goal yet other than my long term goals. I will keep working out so I can jog the 5K in March, and I hope to keep my grades in a successful place so I can make the Deans list this semester.

I started a new college this semester it's Baker College of Flint it is a business college I am studying Business Management. I spent a year and a half going to Iowa Central a community college in Fort Dodge IA where I studied music and met some of the best people!

I can't wait to continue my journey into the month of February! It's going to be a great month!

Best wishes,

Marissa

Welcome to my Life!

I'm terribly bad at this introduction thing, but i'll give it my best go.

I am Marissa Parks,

I'm a Nerd, Geek, Freak, Whovian, Jonite, musician, singer, dreamer, believer, traveler, and a Cystic and over all I just really enjoy life!

I'm 20 years old (as i write this) I am from Michigan born, raised and proud! I've been on a lot of journey's in my life, and I have so many more planned.

I have Cystic Fibrosis, it's a Genetic Disorder that causes my lungs to hold infections a lot easier and it causes my body to not take nutrition out of food when I eat. So basically that means breathing is a chore and gaining weight is harder for me than it is for others to lose weight. I have semi frequent hospital admissions and i am often on IV antibiotics, but it's never stopped me, i won't let it.

Music is extremely important to me, it is very difficult for me to explain what it means because in retrospect it means everything to me. Music is hardwired into my DNA it's something I could never live without. I listen to every kind of music and I enjoy most of them if not all. I believe in giving everything a chance, if someone else loves it there is a reason and I will always try to find that. Music is part of my soul.

I am very passionate, when i have my heart set on something I do everything I can to make it happen. I love working and trying new things and seeing new places and just living! 

In the past year I've lost 2 year friends to Cystic Fibrosis and I have vowed that I will live every experience I can, i will try everything and I will live.

Everyday is chance to show the world what your made of, and someday I hope to be remember for making it a better place. Maybe not by savings lives or inventing something grand, but i hope to show the world how to live just a little bit more everyday.

Best of luck out there!

Marissa