tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29237444303628488412024-03-13T14:31:14.659-07:00My Running Journey with Cystic FibrosisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-9399540203604991732018-11-09T16:23:00.004-08:002018-11-09T16:31:26.251-08:00Little Moments in the Big Canyon<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">My son started preschool back in August and one of the many amazing aspects of his school is that it is located in the middle of a beautiful canyon in San Francisco. When he first started school I thought the 10-15 minute walk in and out of the canyon with a toddler was going to be tiresome. The months have passed and I have learned to love this time with Leo. There are days we are in a hurry and I get impatient because we will be late to school. Sometimes he falls and we have to stop until the tears subside.And he almost always stops at every moment to admire a bug or bird. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTq0V1edKLwsVwfiJps-ziKF6CK9vzUpQe6cZRuv3hkHjOyxh_6VrD-xRIFNf0B-q6IpvsXyzhbBCcu7nimcF9S764DuVavcL5TStFXEia5r2mL7UGrKeTaR2B1hsw5i8Xgff2PFV3WyB/s640/IMG_5112.JPG" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What I once thought would be a grueling commute has turned into something I cherish and look forward to. For about 10-15 minutes of my day I get to hold hands with my son and we have each others undivided attention (aside from the critters along the way and nervous skunks 😷). It is amazing to me that our perception can change our outlook on life. I once thought a a quick and fast preschool drop-off would be easier and less time consuming. In the midst of our daily routine I think we tend to focus on the most efficient, quickest and easiest path in life because our time is precious and we don't have enough minutes in the day to get things done. I have come to love this special time with Leo and I know I will someday look back and appreciate that I was able to hold his little hand in mine and talk about nature and things that interest him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicDig9Ph-6At3lSDzkshV1Zb3173a0CicQM1543anz_x3U8-0bbRfOUVh-hevdtATGay_EwOMeZeLb7R4ju_oVyU6HQLmkHOJaDNron1VmnQaEFUx4iu7M6WRgOGO0OBASRIKaTwsLbf2/s1600/40586969_10100597107279663_2832631889213259776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicDig9Ph-6At3lSDzkshV1Zb3173a0CicQM1543anz_x3U8-0bbRfOUVh-hevdtATGay_EwOMeZeLb7R4ju_oVyU6HQLmkHOJaDNron1VmnQaEFUx4iu7M6WRgOGO0OBASRIKaTwsLbf2/s640/40586969_10100597107279663_2832631889213259776_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The monotony of my days are typically filled with treatments and medications. Sometimes Leo gently reminds me to "Do medicine, Mom!" or asks me "You take your pills, Mom?" which makes me pause and laugh because a toddler is reminding an adult about priorities. My son is used to doctors offices, hospital stays (which he loves because of room service and the nurses give him an endless supply of popsicles), doctors, nebulizer treatments, vibrating vests, mommy giving herself shots and he even mimics my cough. This is Leo's "normal" and someday he will understand that our "normal" is not like everyone else. For now his understanding of our world is okay because his love and outlook on life is so pure and innocent, and a welcomed reminder of how precious life is. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-_NBei8d1DseppmPogiWpUQCucdP-S4ga7b111pCoYK3kX_ZzHCXLxex2fgJbOBhnxMkOfeBPrA6fEmXMFHATCl1FsgWyXpTCXgkhOMocDUnIvbEHdG2XJTozLTSnbEuW5IMXvzM6A5P/s1600/38043166_10100581397891403_5254707017083256832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-_NBei8d1DseppmPogiWpUQCucdP-S4ga7b111pCoYK3kX_ZzHCXLxex2fgJbOBhnxMkOfeBPrA6fEmXMFHATCl1FsgWyXpTCXgkhOMocDUnIvbEHdG2XJTozLTSnbEuW5IMXvzM6A5P/s640/38043166_10100581397891403_5254707017083256832_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our walk in the canyon has become this magical time where we pass by fairy trees and pretend alligators are chasing us and when time is tight we start our walk with Leo equipping us with superpowers so we can run fast. He may not know why running is important for his mom but he does know that superpowers are needed in our lives. I think children believe in a magic that adults lose sight of and their perception of the world is not as concrete. I have to remind myself that he is only little once and this time in his life will pass quickly. Time and life on this earth is fleeting - and I will hold on to the magic of these memories forever. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEt-ogZrDoSjvDjsFcGTfsdQF4pJ81TGybBq2_OoylKasibAk03or7Vw1E1Ty4blqn6isJbqzm6zfBlQnVFk8rfZ_I9A5lng3AbKSQJdTBf1UgPQo09sxoINabOLqoN0ipAzXz62onqgc/s1600/You-and-Me-Allie-High.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEt-ogZrDoSjvDjsFcGTfsdQF4pJ81TGybBq2_OoylKasibAk03or7Vw1E1Ty4blqn6isJbqzm6zfBlQnVFk8rfZ_I9A5lng3AbKSQJdTBf1UgPQo09sxoINabOLqoN0ipAzXz62onqgc/s640/You-and-Me-Allie-High.jpg" width="568" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">'You and Me' by <a href="https://www.alliehigh.com/index.html">Allie High</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Leo's preschool we were tasked to write an emergency letter to our children in case something happened and we were not able to get to the canyon in an appropriate time frame to get them. This letter ended up being a painful process for me because you don't ever want to imagine something bad happening and not being able to be with your child to protect them. My heart broke as I wrote this letter and I prayed that it would never need to be opened, but it reminded me that my message needed to be one of positivity and love. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7Anj3y36u0BAGgc-iVVTbMov-P012LnhMit96RanoZ-ENyf5tAWnZ5EhMVtZVbQV7APCAN3o6O4a392ADpBeeKRGf_Y7m6CGuafrDeDKn5Jq8mTR0nuh24iU73m8I4Z5nQnI3J1UT5iD/s1600/Walker+Summer+Mini+18-highlights-0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7Anj3y36u0BAGgc-iVVTbMov-P012LnhMit96RanoZ-ENyf5tAWnZ5EhMVtZVbQV7APCAN3o6O4a392ADpBeeKRGf_Y7m6CGuafrDeDKn5Jq8mTR0nuh24iU73m8I4Z5nQnI3J1UT5iD/s640/Walker+Summer+Mini+18-highlights-0052.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When life is hard please take a moment to stop, feel your heartbeat, breathe in deep and give thought to the moment that you are in. My son, a toddler, has taught me to not lose sight of magic, love and hope. Leo is a miracle in my and Adam's lives and when times are trying he always seems to bring light and love into our hearts. Hard times are inevitable and time is not permanent but our stories are unique and timeless. Our daily moments create personal and historical memoirs that are tablets written from heart, emotion, courage and inspiration - each story is meaningful and impactful. Embrace the little moments in each day and appreciate how all of these "small" moments make such a huge impact in our lives. </span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-67424555009613462562017-12-01T18:46:00.001-08:002017-12-02T00:24:13.118-08:00From running shoes to IV poles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In one week I went from finishing the New York City Marathon to inpatient status on IV medications.</div>
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It was pretty much the opposite of a couch to 5k plan and more like the 26.2 miles to hospital bed plan.</div>
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For me there are several different physical and emotional aspects that I have to process before accepting a hospitalization. When I catch a cold it always causes me to feel fear because I don't know how this cold will effect my lungs - will I get over it, will I need oral antibiotics or IV antibiotics? Once the cold sets in and I feel the side effects of cystic fibrosis I start to feel the wrath of how terrible this disease can be - a cough that rattles my bones, the never ending mucus that clogs my airways, breathlessness, little sleep and aching lungs. Then comes the anxiety - the anxiety kicks in because the thoughts that this could be my new normal, that my lung function will never go back up and the thought that this breathless feeling could become permanent and the beginning of a downward spiral in my health. </div>
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Then you hear the words hospitalization and IV antibiotics - Initially I cry because I feel weak and like I didn't try hard enough to maintain my health. I question what could I have done to prevent this. This past hospitalization I learned that my body is now resistant to oral antibiotics that target the specific bacterias that live in my lungs and IV antibiotics are my only option when I get sick. Yes, it is life altering news for me but there are far worse things that I could be dealing with. </div>
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Eventually, the weak feeling fades and I am at peace with the situation and the scenario because I understand that this is the best option for me. I learn to adapt and cope with the situation at hand. Soon after the moments of weakness, the fighting mentality sets in and I remind myself that this is just one small bump and I will overcome it. I will fight to the end because my heart, mind and body are consumed with love for my son, husband and family. I will dream big and work hard.</div>
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When I was in the hospital I was confined to the 14th floor and I had to wear a mask every time that I left my room. In the CF world the common cold can turn into pneumonia so I wear a mask in order to protect myself from new bacteria that could possibly pose a threat to my lungs. The mask protects me from other peoples germs as well as cross contamination of germs between CF patients that could be on the same unit. </div>
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The first few days in the hospital were an adjustment period for me because my body was extremely tired. After the third day of antibiotics I started to regain energy and I felt up to the task of going for a walk. </div>
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I walked past a room with three women holding hands in prayer around a hospital bed. I walked past sisters who were discussing their fathers will because they learned that this would be his last hospital stay and he would be moving to hospice. </div>
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My goal destination was about 400 meters from my room and it was a window that overlooked San Francisco where I could see the ocean, downtown, Golden Gate Park and Golden Gate Bridge. I made it just in time to see the sun disappearing over the bridge. </div>
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When I approached the window there was a man standing there. I didn't really pay close attention to him because I was mesmerized by the view. I heard someone call a mans name and noticed the man turn towards the voice. In that moment I saw him wipe tears from his eyes, take a deep breath and walk towards the voice. </div>
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That 400 meter walk was incredibly heart wrenching but so pivotel in shaping my mindset from that point on. I was probably the ultimate creeper as I passed by each situation but I felt drawn to the emotions of each scenario because they were real, sad and raw. I witnessed so much pain in such a short time and my insight into how I perceive my situation instantly turned around. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpf7cCQYTDY3Aks3igRlaWtNnWS-MBJEn66kWnpaZlQzw__KjFDBZHTH1q79EeazTSD_USGpVUU8DQ6s0rISIxr6CCfKoK-jNXxxQ4eAAF5EhXX_OysNpVdI720UhqVY4vEtFHMjx57h5/s1600/23843631_482878228778427_6096732060112299888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpf7cCQYTDY3Aks3igRlaWtNnWS-MBJEn66kWnpaZlQzw__KjFDBZHTH1q79EeazTSD_USGpVUU8DQ6s0rISIxr6CCfKoK-jNXxxQ4eAAF5EhXX_OysNpVdI720UhqVY4vEtFHMjx57h5/s320/23843631_482878228778427_6096732060112299888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOvdqvoDsS80WOsh8Hn9INorO0U_IN_zbbsA3RP_3x3LXd3dMDLiqGeKmuPWmz_yaCKiAZFaJMAhyQfLKfQU-v_IWml0GX2FbOXzxROaGS6qWJS8zYOSEOhINFUy_cT6ka4zhYNlueVXE/s1600/24059088_10100455319144223_943228364997480619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOvdqvoDsS80WOsh8Hn9INorO0U_IN_zbbsA3RP_3x3LXd3dMDLiqGeKmuPWmz_yaCKiAZFaJMAhyQfLKfQU-v_IWml0GX2FbOXzxROaGS6qWJS8zYOSEOhINFUy_cT6ka4zhYNlueVXE/s320/24059088_10100455319144223_943228364997480619_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am just one person in this large world but I am alive and that is a gift in itself. My family, who are my world, are my driving forces to never give up. When Adam and Leo came to visit that evening I felt empowered to make the most of the situation. We went for a walk around the 14th floor and I let Leo take a ride on my IV pole. We were laughing, Leo was laughing and the people who passed by us smiled. </div>
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<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfD-HnsaL-Piggeb1OMPmrBvdx8wSjbDV5wbUDUAvCfSpNZOrvvh_thS_PF3MQ71tqVyOjVGFmD63hjivW8jbMkzy-bJn_PeyOGUM1MI63tnRNqYO3f2lWNRlIDuC3PtfAiUZdO9R49q9/s1600/Hospital.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfD-HnsaL-Piggeb1OMPmrBvdx8wSjbDV5wbUDUAvCfSpNZOrvvh_thS_PF3MQ71tqVyOjVGFmD63hjivW8jbMkzy-bJn_PeyOGUM1MI63tnRNqYO3f2lWNRlIDuC3PtfAiUZdO9R49q9/s400/Hospital.jpeg" width="351" /></a></div>
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I can't control the forces of life and how they will play out but I can appreciate how lucky I am to be alive and present in each moment. My perception is my reality and I will cling on to that mentality. The evening that I wandered the halls of the hospital made me aware of how fast life can change. That evening it didn't matter that I was laying in a hospital room because I knew it was temporary and it wasn't the last page in my story book. What did matter that evening were the sweet embraces from my son, the unconditional love and support of my husband by side and the family and friends who made an effort to make sure I was okay. </div>
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When I was a little girl my dad hung a poster (see image below) up in my room and I never forgot the message. It always stuck with me and still does to this day. </div>
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In a few short days my family and I will celebrate 12 years of being cancer free! </div>
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Thank you for taking time to read my blog :) </div>
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Sabrina </div>
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If you'd like to follow my journey please add me on Instagram:</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrinasmithwalker/">https://www.instagram.com/sabrinasmithwalker/</a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-42706769590731204422017-02-02T22:07:00.000-08:002017-02-02T22:21:13.286-08:00Time StampTime is a constant in everyones lives and continues to move forward whether we like it or not. Our own personal perception of time can change based on events going on in our life. Time seems to move slowly for someone who is in the hospital and eager to go home yet time can seem like it is moving forward too quickly when we are enjoying ourselves and in the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazSQN1942dMkYp2-T4NEDIyo3BPpLLBF734Vtud1nrheHHlDuYT4cBNBERivSccDYoHZ2jx1oy1JmfZU5ushfsb8bgg9UISOiULu2S7rRlom76GFDUT0ktjKtiJyE7SJxtZuXWR5y9LIb/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazSQN1942dMkYp2-T4NEDIyo3BPpLLBF734Vtud1nrheHHlDuYT4cBNBERivSccDYoHZ2jx1oy1JmfZU5ushfsb8bgg9UISOiULu2S7rRlom76GFDUT0ktjKtiJyE7SJxtZuXWR5y9LIb/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwE9Wk-FdP_xJD2oXDCQRzvJi2cotMvMHCg3HrxO2D0X4g1iHqOjJ4DLe9PbmZMNlXIqWqhzqNIjKbIzcHJCTqzvYxE1U5wSh7akHtUTbRmgDX2KUO8kuWqqxGQWCRe41IoC64_VAOQbw/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwE9Wk-FdP_xJD2oXDCQRzvJi2cotMvMHCg3HrxO2D0X4g1iHqOjJ4DLe9PbmZMNlXIqWqhzqNIjKbIzcHJCTqzvYxE1U5wSh7akHtUTbRmgDX2KUO8kuWqqxGQWCRe41IoC64_VAOQbw/s320/IMG_6653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Time is precious.</u></div>
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My wonderful son will be 2 and I can't hold onto time fast enough. I often scroll through my pictures and laugh at the wonderful moments that I have had with my family. Sometimes tears fall because these moments are treasured and my heart is full of love and gratefulness. The slow moving days filled with lack of sleep and the struggles of a colicky baby seem to fade. Our pictures and memories spark emotions so raw and true. Time continues to charge on despite our yearning to press pause.<br />
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The other day a memory on my Facebook popped up in my notifications. It was a picture from my baby shower and for some reason that picture made me think of one particular moment from that special day. My best friend was helping me curl my hair that morning and during that process she found my first gray hair. I immediately plucked it and put it in a jewelry box to later show my husband. At first I was horrified that I had a gray hair but my mind was put to ease when my wonderful friend reassured me it was not noticeable and there was only 1.<br />
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I was 28 years old when I encountered my first gray hair sighting.<br />
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Life moved on. I continued my routine of working, running, medical treatments and boot camp. Big life events also took place as well like, giving birth to our child, getting a lung exacerbation and needing to be admitted into the hospital, Leo met Russell Wilson, and we experienced life as parents.<br />
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In Fall of 2016 I found my second gray hair and for some reason I was surprised! But life continued between gray hair 1 and gray hair 2. My baby turned into a toddler, I ran a marathon, turned 30, worked, traveled, continued my medications and blew the highest PFT's I have had in several years.<br />
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For me, hair and time connect many monumental experiences in my life. There was a point in time where I had no hair and I remember the emotional process of losing my hair while going through chemotherapy. The tender head, receding hairline, my bedding needed to be changed through out the day because there was a constant sheet of hair that layered it. I held onto the last patches of my hair until the day my dad came to visit me with clippers. When I finished chemotherapy my hair started to grow back and each new hairstyle represented a different period in my life.</div>
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So many amazing and tragic events have occurred in my 30 years of life. I would never choose to have Cystic Fibrosis or Cancer but it has taught me to value the time that I do have on this earth.<br />
Obstacles and pain will certainly arise but these challenges have left me with the courage and gratefulness to explore, love, dream and breathe a littler deeper. Our sad and heartbreaking memories remind us of our courage, strength, resiliency and our ability to overcome adversity. Our happy memories remind us of hope, dreams, compassion and love. Each day is subtle and unique but they quickly and quietly build upon each other to weave our whole life story.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-44348420507149897812016-10-20T00:13:00.000-07:002016-10-20T00:13:47.878-07:00Life's a marathon!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by my beautiful cousin Megan Jensen. A Tlingit's lungs :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been hard finding time to sit down and write about life with a one-and-a-half-year-old running around.</span></div>
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I have had so much fun watching little Leo grow up. I often find myself thinking about how truly lucky I am to have a child and how wonderful it is to be a mother. I never knew if having children would be in my future but Leo has blessed our lives tremendously.<br />
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As always, running was a big part of my summer! I submitted a video to an online contest through the Boomer Esiason Foundation that explained why I exercise and was shocked when I found out that I had won! There were many amazing and very inspiring videos that were submitted. Adam and I traveled to New York City to run in the <u>5th Annual Run to Breathe Race</u>. It was at this same race 5 years ago that Adam proposed to me in 2011. In July we were able to go back to NYC and celebrate all the wonderful happenings in our lives over the past 5 years. <br />
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I post a lot about living life with Cystic Fibrosis and to some it may seem that this disease is not that bad. It is known as "the invisible disease" because people look healthy on the outside but on the inside a war is raging. Living with Cystic Fibrosis is not easy and never will be. I will never know if I will catch a bacterial infection that could be detrimental to my health and lung function. If a lung exacerbation flares up will my Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) numbers go back up? Or will this low number be my new normal? Imagine living with 70% or less of your normal lung capacity.<br />
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So many people are struggling and in pain every day, many people pass away, some are on the transplant list, some are in the hospital for months, hours of daily treatments, IV antibiotics, feeding tubes, or breathing with an oxygen tank. The pain and the looming word 'death' are the reality for someone living with Cystic Fibrosis.<br />
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Now that I have a child my reason for running has increased and provided me with more purpose and determination to be as healthy as I can be. I want to watch my son grow up. That is why training for difficult races and fundraising are so important to me. I am passionate about fundraising because it contributes to research so new drugs and therapies that benefit a person's life with CF can be found and maybe even a cure someday.<br />
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It's now October and the Lost Lake Run came and went and the Chicago Marathon (26.2 miles) is a memory in the past. I ran a PR in Lost Lake of 3:00:19 and I finished my first marathon in 4:52:51. The battle of training is grueling but this painful process is providing me with life. My lungs are working like they have never worked before and they love the long airway clearance sessions. Running has never been easy for me and doesn't come naturally. I have worked really hard to be able to run the distances that I am able to run. When I feel an infection coming on, I still try to run because I know it helps clear out the mucus and makes breathing a little easier.<br />
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Mile 19</div>
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I had no clue how the marathon would go for me. A few weeks before the marathon I caught a cold that wouldn't go away and it was starting to affect my lungs so I had to start an oral antibiotic. Iliotibial (IT) band pain and junky lungs were effecting my training in a negative way. When I was at the starting line in Chicago I prayed that this marathon would go smoothly and that my goal of finishing would be acheived. I didn't feel nervous or anxious, I felt calm and had come to terms with whatever the outcome would be. I can now say that I have ran a full marathon!<br />
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I felt so lucky at the Chicago marathon because I was surrounded by my family and I had so many friends send me encouraging and positive messages. Many people graciously donated to my fundraisers, in my eyes every single penny counts. My cousin, Rachel, even ran the last 10 miles of the race with me. It takes a team to help keep me alive and I can't express how much love and gratitude I have in my heart for my support team. The Boomer Esiason Foundation even had staff who cheered me on at different mile-markers and greeted me at the end. I am so grateful that there are organizations like the Boomer Esiason Foundation because they are fighting this battle by my side, supporting me and helping to bring the CF community closer to a cure.<br />
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I can't control my Cystic Fibrosis but I do have the choice to make decisions on how I want to perceive my life and health. Every treatment that I inhale, pill that I take, run and workout has an impact on my life.<br />
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There was a point in time where I didn't know what my future would hold. I didn't know that I would be diagnosed with cancer and beat it, I didn't know if I would go to college, get married or have a child. I look back and every journey and adventure in my life is a complete and utter miracle. I do not know how my future will end up but I will sure try my best to overcome all obstacles, dream big, set goals and shoot for stars.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">This life is precious and I value every single second that I am living and breathing on this earth!</span></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-33829289265939734632016-01-29T23:12:00.000-08:002016-01-29T23:12:49.398-08:00One Year Around the SunMy last post was in October 2014 and at that point in my life I was waiting for our precious baby to be born. Our lives were going to change in one moment and we were anxiously awaiting for that time to come. Little did we know that the moment we were waiting for would start with me waking Adam up early Monday morning (March 16, 2015) because I had either wet the bed two times or my water had broken. Eight hours later our lives changed forever as we transitioned into the wonderful world of parenthood.<br />
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Our beautiful baby boy, Leo Jordan Walker, was born on March 16, 2015. The moment I laid eyes on Leo my body immediately filled with a love and happiness that took over my mind, heart and soul. He is our miracle. If I ever have a moment of feeling down and out, it takes one second to come to reality and realize that I am beyond blessed.</div>
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I have heard Adam say, "Having a baby is the biggest job that we will ever have in our lives and it doesn't even come with an instruction manual." He is right! In the end we have created our own 'instruction manual' and we did it together. It was built upon love, trust, experience and a dash of compromise.</div>
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This blog has focused on my journey of being a person living with Cystic Fibrosis who runs. I will always advocate for exercise and setting goals because I need those to inspire and drive me, but I now have an additional piece of motivation........being a mommy.</div>
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Having a child is tough. There are no breaks or time outs in mommyhood. It has taken a lot of time and even tears to adjust to my not-so-easy routine with a baby. In between treatments, there were feedings, changing diapers, changing clothes and a lot of rocking and bouncing. We were learning about Leo as he was also learning about us and this whole new world. </div>
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In Leo's nursery there is a picture of my great-grandmother carrying my grandfather on her back in the early 1920's. I hung this picture in Leo's room because it represents our family, culture and identity as Tlingit people. It is also symbolic of strength and sacrifice. When you become a parent you learn the sacrifices that our parents, grandparents and generations before have given for us to be alive. Each generation faces new obstacles and new remarkable innovations. I am thankful for my family and all they have sacrificed for me to be here.</div>
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I would like to think that I gained strength and resilience from my past generations. I have the power to make decisions that can alter my life. I value the decision that I can make to exercise and I also believe that exercise is the stemming nature of health and wellness for me. At 1 month postpartum I restarted my running journey and learned how to incorporate motherhood into that journey.</div>
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I had worked out through out my whole pregnancy and attended my last boot camp two days before Leo was born. I thought I was in decent shape and it would be easy to jump into running again. Nope! Jogging<b> </b>was<b> <u>hard</u></b> and I felt like I was learning to run all over again. I felt sluggish and defeated.</div>
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I made the decision to not focus on the negative and decided to tell myself there are no excuses. In reality, exercise is a part of what keeps me healthy. It is a part of my airway clearance and helps me rid the mucous out of my lungs.<br />
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Despite the difficulty in regaining strength and endurance to run it has turned into a special time that Leo and I can enjoy together. It has also turned into a nap time :)</div>
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My main motivation for running has been to outrun Cystic Fibrosis and to prevent further lung deterioration. Sometimes I need more help than just exercise and compliance with my medical routine. This past August I was hospitalized with Pneumonia, Leo was 5 months old, and I had a PICC line placed so I could do 3 weeks of IV antibiotics 24/7. I was in the hospital for three days but fortunately was able to go home with IV antibiotics and manage them myself.<br />
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Although I had moments of feeling overwhelmed I didn't want to dwell on how complicated that 3 weeks was going to be. I reminded myself to be brave and focus on things that I could accomplish while on IV antibiotics. I continued to jog and hike, I even ran a 10k!<br />
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I am determined to run and exercise for my health. It is not just about me anymore, I have a child who needs me. I want Leo to grow up with his mom.<br />
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I want to be able to teach Leo to be kind, humble, follow his dreams, strive for greatness, learn from failure, travel, read, be respectful, gain knowledge through experience and to also pick himself up when life is tough.<br />
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Baby Leo is my inspiration to lace up my shoes and get out there and run. There are no excuses today, tomorrow or the next day just reasons why I need to put one foot in front of the other and run.</div>
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I ran my first postpartum half marathon in October and on December 5th I ran 10 miles to celebrate 10 years of being cancer free! Adam and I also celebrate 10 years of being together!</div>
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The winter has not stopped Leo and I from our jogs outside. We bundle up and head out the door -- he is my running partner!<br />
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A special thank you to my husband who encourages and supports me in our journey as parents. I am ever so grateful to our family who also devotes endless amounts of time and help. I would not be able to focus on my health, mind and body without my behind-the-scenes support system.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0Turnagain Anchorage61.196463 -149.936756tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-69185396318567088922014-10-20T15:20:00.000-07:002014-10-20T15:20:15.962-07:00Pickles, Cheese & Mustard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zgjZMcUgO1aCnwqrzJdbTGsvIvmT5gRN98Y9p-ZD_JwVuRJQ9McYT1VZXzcZcDNvI6QOGsoO76o5AQuf_0YYuC1mzdiML5mT3ej8sOBVfHCrlfXJS3yIjI3BKlWgZtIXaLvSO1NVU82q/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zgjZMcUgO1aCnwqrzJdbTGsvIvmT5gRN98Y9p-ZD_JwVuRJQ9McYT1VZXzcZcDNvI6QOGsoO76o5AQuf_0YYuC1mzdiML5mT3ej8sOBVfHCrlfXJS3yIjI3BKlWgZtIXaLvSO1NVU82q/s1600/images.jpeg" height="168" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1vfLVsamzj0rSHwm1YbjYe_As61vKv2DaixA1A0IuNUg3AFsF-FDwmc4Qq8pIlABLB0ckZKfe55n-HyYpgK56Osf5y-lBolw1yj7rbjsggtR4ygRJIqZBkTV1JWwGFJkXNfhO27hi8P/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1vfLVsamzj0rSHwm1YbjYe_As61vKv2DaixA1A0IuNUg3AFsF-FDwmc4Qq8pIlABLB0ckZKfe55n-HyYpgK56Osf5y-lBolw1yj7rbjsggtR4ygRJIqZBkTV1JWwGFJkXNfhO27hi8P/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf7HcmDjGxJvmbHXIZ7iS1rpX8taSQDuY08kLktOqCS1xk93lhvMGGbJLw8tATILQIkWp3hlrehbNZW6YHOhXjrAj5ue7h0xRP2XDbBeM5ZYTcE2zld-yvpAUw0Cz3k42qbTEC0MsXVzZ/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf7HcmDjGxJvmbHXIZ7iS1rpX8taSQDuY08kLktOqCS1xk93lhvMGGbJLw8tATILQIkWp3hlrehbNZW6YHOhXjrAj5ue7h0xRP2XDbBeM5ZYTcE2zld-yvpAUw0Cz3k42qbTEC0MsXVzZ/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="151" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When I was younger I loved pickles and cheese, and in high school those strange food cravings raised some occasional pregnancy suspicions. I still crave pickles and cheese with mustard but at this point in my life the craving now signifies big life changes and I am beyond excited for them! I am happy to announce that my husband, Adam, and I are expecting our first <i>human</i> child (Lola and Oscar are our dog children)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This wonderful news is truly a miracle because we were told that I was infertile and may have to seek help from fertility specialists. Having Cystic Fibrosis makes the process difficult and undergoing intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments in my past created the high possibility of infertility for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I pray and hope for strength and health during my pregnancy. I pray that my lungs are stable and strong through these 9 months. There are several antibiotics and medications that I need but I can't take because they may be harmful to the fetus. I am a high risk pregnancy because of my Cystic Fibrosis, cancer history and Factor V Leiden. I now have to take daily Lovenox (blood thinner medication) shots in my stomach to prevent blood clots. In college I was diagnosed with a blood clot and I found out that I have a genetic predisposition to blood clots. Having CF also puts me at a very high risk for gestational diabetes. I am seen often to monitor the pregnancy and my health. </span><br />
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<b>WEEK 6</b></div>
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<b>WEEK 11</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">November 7 is the day we find out if we are having a boy or girl :)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am not scared that I have a high risk pregnancy, I have received wonderful care thus far. I traveled to Seattle to visit a high risk Doctor that has worked with many pregnant patients that have Cystic Fibrosis. I am 17 weeks pregnant (April 1st due date) and I am relishing each new week that goes by. I've had no morning sickness but I have been extremely tired. I know that it will be hard on my body as the baby gets bigger and I have less room to breathe, but I am still attending my weekly running group, boot camp and running on my own. My Doctors approved me working out and running during my pregnancy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My running and distance has slowed down a lot, but I am still out there trying. Running has been such a vital component to my health and I want to keep it up for as long as I can. My lung function has dropped to 67% but I am optimistic that it will go back up to my baseline of around 76%. My breathing has been the hardest factor for me and I have also been feeling Round Ligament pain in my lower abdomen. I think the combination of a growing belly and coughing while running triggers this pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I may not be setting Personal Records while running but I am trying and finishing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I ran and PR'd in a half marathon at 5 weeks pregnant, I ran in a 10k and finished the Lost Lake Run while pregnant!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: center;">I walk/jogged in a half marathon this past weekend. I felt so lucky because I had a wonderful friend who jogged 8 miles and walked the rest of the race with me, it took us 2 hours and 58 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Running is still important to me because it is one of my main forms of airway clearance. When I found out that I was pregnant I was scared to run because I didn't want to damage or hurt the baby. I was cleared by my Doctor's who said that it was okay and important for me to continue exercise. I value my ability to still run and exercise. I researched running and pregnancy (especially high risk)and found very little helpful information on this specific topic. There were some blogs and articles in Runner's World that were helpful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>I hope to provide inspiration to other pregnant runners. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So many amazing things have happened in my life since my last blog. I thought it would be fun for me to go back and look at my goals that I posted from my first blog back in February 2013! My current notes are in red and my new goal list is below. I strongly advise people to have goals because they help to achieve personal ambitions, passions, dreams and accountability. </span></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sabrina's Goals (OLD Version)</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Run a marathon (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I signed up for the Seattle November 2014 marathon but I have put this on hold for 2015)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"> Compete in the 16 mile Lost Lake Run annually and raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I have run in Lost Lake for the past 3 years and I raised $11,147. A huge and wonderful thank you to my 29 teammates.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Start a run that benefits Cystic Fibrosis in Anchorage</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> (This is a goal that I have definitely put on the back burner, and my motivation for this has decreased)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Be in a Play </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(I took an acting workshop, but have not auditioned for a play)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Do a triathlon </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(Still on my list)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Travel to Europe </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(Adam took me on a wonderful trip where we explored Iceland, Spain, Italy, France, Monaco and Germany! I am in awe of the rich history and beautiful architecture!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Run 3 times a week and do strength training 2 times a week </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(I have accomplished this!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Beat my half marathon and 10K personal record times </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">( I beat my half and 10k PR this year)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Travel to a village in Alaska </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(I was able to travel to Bethel, Alaska this past February)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Start a Blog :) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(Done!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">I would love to travel around the country and world to run in races that benefit CF and raise money along the way. (Maybe I could get a group of CF'ers or anyone who would do this with me.) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">(I have been able to run in Michigan & Arizona)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><u>Sabrina's Revised Goals</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Run in a marathon</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Do a Triathlon</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Travel some place new</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>PR in a Lost Lake Run (3:08), half marathon (1:55:39), 10K (52:34) and 5K (24:48)</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Run 3 times a week and strength training 2 times a week</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Read everyday</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Write down 3 things that I am grateful for every day!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Become a mother!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Stay above 67% Lung Function</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Surpass the median life expectancy of a person with CF (36 years old)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Be compliant with my daily medicine and treatments</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am going to be a mother and that gives me even more reason to stay healthy and fight Cystic Fibrosis. I am not running and working out for my own well being anymore, I have a human life that I need to be here for. I want to be the best version of myself and help this individual for as long as I can. Bringing life into this world gives my world a whole new meaning and perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">GOALS will help me obtain and achieve this purpose!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for reading :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sabrina </span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-50833547461000790742014-05-15T20:31:00.000-07:002014-05-15T20:31:36.160-07:00Courage, Cancer & Cystic Fibrosis<div>
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I started writing this particular blog about running and what my running plans are for the future. It was actually all written and ready to publish, but I changed my mind on the topic. When I woke up this morning I received a message from someone that I went to high school with and they stated that they never knew about what I was dealing with when they went to school with me. Their message was kind and thoughtful and had me reminiscing about my high school days which led me down a whole new path of memories. I always talk about Cystic Fibrosis but I have another story that I never tell.<br />
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Of course, I always go back to the summer after high school..............<br />
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After I graduated from high school I was preparing for my future at Whittier College in California. I was excited and ready to be on my own and explore the sunny beaches of California and college life. I was ready to leave the land of the midnight sun and make California my new home away from home. I signed up to live in the dorms and even try out for their x-country running team. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me and I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July of 2005, just weeks before I was supposed to embark on my college journey.<br />
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I had been experiencing pain in my back for the past year and it gradually worsened over the year. I started to lose feeling in my foot and I would get random episodes of nausea. An x-ray showed that I had a tumor on my spine, but I was reassured that it was probably benign because I was so young and active. The plan was to remove the tumor, recover and leave for school the following month. The day after my surgery I met the neurosurgeon who performed my surgery, and for the first time I heard that I had cancer.<br />
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I didn't cry. I didn't know what to do. I went through the tests, bone marrow extractions, blood draws, appointments and I had a mediport placed in body so that the chemotherapy wouldn't fry my already used up veins. I was nervous to start chemotherapy, it was called CHOP-R, even the word looks and sounds aggressive. I sat in a green chair, in a room, with other people who were also getting chemotherapy. There were a mixture of native elders and middle aged men and women. It was a two day infusion treatment process and I ended up being highly allergic to one of the treatments. An infusion that usually takes two hours took me eight hours. My skin turned bright red and it was extremely hard to breathe, but I endured it for the whole day.<br />
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The chemo was hard on my body, but I braved the trek and only had a few episodes of nausea & vomiting. My oncologist told me I was so tough that I could get hit by a semi-truck and get up and walk away. My immune system was low and my body was tired and I ended up catching pneumonia. I was hospitalized and during that hospital stay I lost my hair (at the time it felt like a part of me had been taken away). I would go to bed and when I woke up my hair would layer the pillow. I would take a shower and my hair would come out in clumps. I always thought that I had thin hair until the shedding process began.<br />
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My dad came to the hospital with his electric razor and shaved my head. For the first time, I felt different and the experience of being a cancer patient became even more real and bitter. I felt anger and jealousy for everyone that was living in a world full of hopes and dreams. I was a 19- year-old self conscious teen and I was extremely embarrassed to not have hair.<br />
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On top of coping with being a hairless cancer patient and searching for my identity I had rumors spreading that I was making up that I had cancer for attention. I don't know who started the rumors but I do remember the person that asked me if I really did have cancer through instant messaging. I wish that I had inner courage and strength at that point in my life to have brushed off the remarks and gave that person a piece of my mind. Instead it was something that I dwelled on.<br />
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I rarely wanted to take photos and I never took any photos of me with out a scarf on my head. I was ashamed but I now wish that I had some awesome bald photos to show off. My inability to embrace the beauty of being a warrior in a difficult situation was broken. My heart was also hurting because, Adam, was away at school on the other side of the country.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I grappled with the thought of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">death</span> being a reality at 19-years- old.</span></b></div>
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In December 2005 I finished the CHOP part of my treatments, but I continued with radiation for a month and the 'R' (Rituximab) part of CHOP-R treatment for two more years. The Rituximab was the drug that I was allergic to, but as the cancer shrunk so did my allergy. It ended up being a routine treatment that had no side affects. In August 2007 I finished my last Rituximab treatment and I packed my bags and moved to Colorado to pursue a degree in Elementary Education.<br />
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I am now graduated from college, married to a wonderful man that I met in high school, mother of dachshunds (terminology inspired by Game of Thrones), a cancer survivor, I am blessed by friends and family and I am a runner. It feels remarkable to be alive and to have the opportunity to enrich my soul with the beauties of this world.<br />
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I didn't write this particular blog because I want pity or for people to feel sorry for me. My intention was to write about an experience in my life that was painfully heart wrenching for me. I rarely share my cancer experience because it was a time in my life that I felt very vulnerable. It was a time of pain but now serves as a reminder for me to be thankful for every moment. Today I am able to see the courage and strength that I developed and I value the growth and learning that this experience presented me with. I wanted to share this story with the world wide web because it is a part of my story that still makes me uncomfortable. I can still relapse. I can't spend my whole life dwelling on the negative or "what if's", but I can spend it with the people I love and cherish and be eternally grateful for the time that I do have on this earth.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I am a cancer survivor but I am also a person that lives with Cystic Fibrosis!</span></b></div>
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May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month so I do want to take some time to educate people on this disease. I take about 25 pills a day and have about two hours of inhaled nebulizer treatments as well as running/exercise or wearing a vibrating vest that helps clear my lungs <b>EVERYDAY!! </b><br />
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I want to prolong getting a lung transplant for as long as I can so I run to save my life and I run because I am able to. I value each huff, puff and cough that I can endure when I run because that is a moment in my life that I am in control of. I run to stay alive!</div>
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May is also special to me this year because Team Boomer nominated me as Team Boomer Cystic Fibrosis Athlete of the month. You can read my story here:</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>http://www.teamboomer.org/sabrina-walker/</b></span></div>
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The Lost Lake Run 2014 is in August this year. Every year I look forward to this challenge because it gives me a goal and it brings together all the people that I love and cherish. 29 people are on my team this year. This 16 mile mountain run in Seward, Alaska benefits those with Cystic Fibrosis. This year I am the only person with CF running in the race. ALL donations are welcome to help fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis!!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/Sabrinafightscflostlake">https://www.crowdrise.com/Sabrinafightscflostlake</a></b></span></div>
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I attend Figarelle's Fitness for my boot camp and personal training. The coaches/trainers are invested in their clients and they motivate people to achieve their fitness and personal goals. They provide support and are awesome at what they do! For the 2nd year in a row they will be hosting a burpees challenge. ALL proceeds go towards my Lost Lake Team :) 9 of my Lost Lake teammates are from Figarelle's Fitness! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I am so appreciative of the support!</span></div>
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I hope that a cure for Cystic Fibrosis is found in my lifetime. My goal is to bring awareness to Cystic Fibrosis and to inspire people to exercise. Exercise is an essential component to our well being. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Everyone </span>should devote time to themselves and care for their body. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for reading my blog. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Sabrina Walker</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-50190293388589812952013-12-20T16:24:00.002-08:002013-12-20T16:40:40.378-08:00Embrace the MomentI have not posted a blog in quite some time!<br />
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It did not snow in Anchorage, AK until November! That is very unusual. My husband and I hiked Flat Top with our dogs (11 lb & 9lb mini-dachshunds) in late October. The higher we climbed the more the wind blew and then snow started to fly by us. It was probably around 25 degrees; Oscar and Lola made it half way up the mountain before Lola got too cold and needed to be carried down the mountain.<br />
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I have been trying to keep up my training since Lost Lake in August. I ran in the Anchorage 'Zombie Half Marathon' on October 12. I also took a trip to Arizona to visit one of my best friends, enjoy warm weather and run in a half marathon with her on November 3.<br />
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My big run of the year is Lost Lake Run. Lost Lake is one of the only races in Alaska that benefits CF and it is such a grueling course, I wanted to recap team 'Sabrina Fights CF' adventures. I was the only person to run in this race with Cystic Fibrosis. We had 25 people run on my team and we raised a little over $9000! The sky was blue and the sun was shining on race day. The trail was absolutely gorgeous but it is definitely a hilly and long trail run. At one point during the race there was a float plane that had landed on one of the lakes, the pilot was handing out donuts to people who were running in the race. I passed up on the donut :[<br />
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For every half mile there is a mile marker that has a picture of someone with CF on it. There are 32 markers that are placed along the Lost Lake course, and every marker made me happy for the ability to run and be alive. At the end of the race there are pictures of those with CF who have passed from the disease that line the finish chute. Many people run in this race not knowing who or what it benefits. They pass the finish line and they are happy that its over. For me, the finish line is victorious, but it is also sad because I see faces of people who have lost their battle to CF. This race is so much more than an endurance race for me, it's about my journey and the fight for my life with CF. I run to stay healthy and I try to raise money so that a cure can be found for me and the many of thousands that suffer from CF. <br />
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There are people with CF that are marathoners, ultra marathoners, triathletes, distance bikers, surfers, mothers, fathers, etc. There is a whole community of people with CF that are warriors and fighters, they are vibrant and supportive, they are compassionate and caring and they all need a cure to be found. I am so enjoying learning about the diversities of people in the CF community :) I strongly believe that an active lifestyle is one main component that helps me to stay healthy and out of the hospital. There are some people with CF who are exercising and running with 50% or less lung capacity! I find this so inspirational and it keeps me running and going to boot camp. </div>
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When I think back on the month of August, I am overwhelmed with emotions because so many people are willing to help. There are so many awesome and amazing people in this world that motivate and inspire me because they are kind and they care.</div>
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I am in awe and humbled by the support of people in my small circle of family and friends. Many people graciously donated to my fundraiser, lent out space to do a burpees challenge fundraiser, 25 people donated their time, pain and endurance to participate in the Lost Lake event, and many more were just support systems that gave encouragement and motivation during the journey. </div>
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I was feeling a little down after Lost Lake because I had another lung infection and needed to do two rounds of oral antibiotics. I was feeling defeated, I had ridden on this cloud of being so strong and able to run a 16 mile mountain run, but a week later I was coughing all night and wheezing. Luckily, I have my husband who always reminds me of all that I have conquered in my life and that I will get through these difficult battles. I still ran, went to boot camp, stayed very compliant with my nebulizers and went to work. I have even started a training group for running with a local running store. We meet up every Wednesday and are given a tempo work out. These days are hard for me but they work my lungs and help me with pacing!</div>
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I now feel much better and I feel empowered to keep running and fighting this disease. I would never willingly choose to have CF, but I am grateful for the outlook on life that it gives me. I will never take my lungs, each breath, or my ability to run and work out for granted. I find the courage and strength to wake up and battle CF within my weaknesses (my lungs). I can't change my health issues, I can't change that I have had cancer and I can't take away CF, but I can be proactive and try to keep my body healthy. I know that I am a fighter and I know that this life is so utterly precious and worth every breath that I am here.</div>
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I have found myself taking moments through out the day to stop and give thanks and prayers for being alive. We should integrate positive influence into our daily lives. Be gracious for the simple fact that we are human and get to experience this glorious world. Tomorrow is not a given, embrace the moment!</div>
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<b>December 2nd was a huge victory for me. It has been <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">8</span> years since I finished my last chemotherapy :) </b></div>
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I have signed up to run in the 'Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon' on March 30, 2014 in Grosse Ile, Michigan. I hope to beat my half marathon PR (1:59:22) in 2014 :) I hope that I have the opportunity to run amongst some of the other CF'ers that I have gotten to know :)</div>
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Thank you,</div>
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Sabrina</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-63823234291184893772013-08-01T20:51:00.001-07:002013-08-01T20:51:30.131-07:00Quantity or Quality?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adam and I after snorkeling in a bat cave!</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't had an opportunity to update my blog in quite some time. During my lapse in writing I was able to go on a really amazing adventure. I was able to spend 6 days at Natuvu Creek Mission in Fiji. Our destination took about 16 hours of travel time and we made our way from the top of the world (Anchorage, Alaska) to the bottom of the world (Natuvu Mission, Fiji) for a total of nearly 9000 miles!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This trip was a mission trip that provided the people of Fiji with free dental care. My husband is a dentist and he works for a wonderful group that believe in volunteering their special skills to help those who do not have the accessibility or income to get dental care. I was initially thinking that Fiji sounded like a honeymoon destination rather than a place to do a mission trip. It was a paradise and gorgeous, but I gained more from this trip than I ever imagined. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not a dental professional, so I was tasked with keeping track of patients and making sure we had a count on how many patients were seen for dental hygiene exams. Many of the cleanings took 2-4 hours because it was the first time that many of the patients were getting their teeth cleaned. At times, I had to help assist the hygienists and wipe blood from the patients mouth or hold a flash light above so that they could see better. At the end of the day I was tired and my feet ached from standing all day. My work was nothing compared to the doctors, hygienists and assistants jobs. They worked tirelessly everyday because they didn't want to turn anyone away at the end of the day.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me holding a flashlight for one of the hygienists</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also gained much insight and appreciation for how hard my husband, Adam, works. I have always gone to the dentist and was a little timid and not really sure of what was going on while I was in the dental chair. I learned how much skill, work ethic and precision is needed to be a dentist. There were 4 dental chairs and only one of them was workable for a left-handed person. Adam is left-handed so he was doing extractions in a chair with no suction or water. The circumstances were not ideal but everyone made it work despite the lack of equipment. I beam with pride when I think of the hard work and effort that Adam and his dental practice put forth.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband, Adam, working in Fiji</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fiji is a beautiful, lush and tropical environment. I was tremendously enriched and reminded of the simple things that are the roots of what matter in life. We have TVs, cars, fresh running water (hot), bathrooms, access to dentists and doctors. All of these items that we deem as necessities, but are not always valued and are taken for granted. The Fijian children were disappointed to miss a day of school and even paid $35 a year to attend school. Some students lived so far from home that they lived at the school and didn't see their family for that school year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I felt spoiled in Fiji because I reflected on the luxuries that I have at home. I am able to take hot showers, drive to work and I even feed my dogs organic dog food and pay for them to go to doggy daycare. Many of the Fijian people we met lived in small huts with 10 or more people. They had no running water or bathrooms. The ocean was their bathroom and shower. Their main mode of transportation was walking and they gathered their food from livestock that they raised and grew much of their own produce.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The school students sang to us when we visited their school.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fijian people would take 4 hour boat rides and 2 hour bus rides to come to the clinic to receive free dental work. They would even spend their whole months earnings for transportation to get to the Natuvu clinic. It was very powerful to see a community of people who came together to support one another, they were content in their way of life and I would say they even had a much richer life than most Americans. They didn't spend time watching movies or playing games on their phones, they spent time with their families by preparing meals, singing and dancing and enjoying each others company.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This trip ended up being an experience of a lifetime and I feel that I have a whole new perspective on life. I will be forever grateful for this experience and I will always cherish the lifetime of memories that I carry with me. The people were beyond grateful and giving and I hold them near and dear to my heart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Adam at a traditional Fijian Feast</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as I got home reality approached quickly. I ended up with a terrible cold that started in my sinuses and traveled to my lungs. I had coughing attacks at night and my lungs were clogged with thick mucous. I wasn't able to fall asleep until my coughing subsided. I felt heart broken because I had an amazing time on this trip but it was causing sickness and pain in terms of my Cystic Fibrosis. It had me thinking about if I want to live a life of quality where I go on trips that give me a wonderful outlook on life or do I want to live a life based on quantity (extended my life as long as possible) where I avoid experiences that could create possibilities for me to get lung infections?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite my lung infection I still decided to continue with my weekly boot camp training classes and running even though I felt tired and not up to par. I even ran two half marathons and participated in a burpees challenge! My regimen was to do inhaled Tobi and oral antibiotics during this time. I am now starting to feel better but I am not 100% yet. Fortunately, I think that the exercise has helped to keep me from hospitalization and from worsening my lung infection. I saw my CF doctors in Seattle and I am so relieved because my Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT's) and weight are okay. My PFT's are a little lower than last time but I plan on getting them back up to normal! Training for the Lost Lake run will help with that :) I am going to do 2 more weeks of the antibiotic Levoflaxicin to try and kick whats left of this infection.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In order to live a life full of wonderful experiences I need to focus on my health. Exercise is my main form of airway clearance and it is my way to fight CF. I run and attend boot camp so that I can be healthy and active as I journey through this life. I can have a life filled with adventure, as long as I hold myself accountable and continue to fight everyday. Some days are harder than others but I WILL NOT give up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note, the Lost Lake run is about a month away and I have raised about $6500 for Cystic Fibrosis this year. My boot camp, Figarelle's Fitness, generously hosted a burpees challenge that was combined with their grand opening and helped me raise over $2200! I even did 101 burpees in 15 minutes :) It was very moving to see how generously people were donating for a cause that means so much to me, even if I didn't know them very well personally. I was so honored to have these wonderful people donate their time, money and pain in honor of Cystic Fibrosis!!</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My mom an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">d aunt made an awesome video that recaps the 2012 Lost Lake Team 'Sabrina Fights CF'.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was written in the garden at the Fijian school that we visited. This scripture was also read at my wedding.</span> </b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sabrina Walker</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-61891955447001431972013-04-01T21:34:00.001-07:002013-04-01T21:34:39.754-07:00The Poetry of Running<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrJpHvkbfCLEGLpfX_bfb818ulB0jB74lZ4An-hA4zGJJAop_QMAmw34ah0houYN_VfpFPol5z0nqwoA7_iTGfTR93Sm68ZzpckbwdlpUCVqRZ9HvQxFcSM0HyM-RKuJUpd_pa3auCeDv/s640/blogger-image--321382795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrJpHvkbfCLEGLpfX_bfb818ulB0jB74lZ4An-hA4zGJJAop_QMAmw34ah0houYN_VfpFPol5z0nqwoA7_iTGfTR93Sm68ZzpckbwdlpUCVqRZ9HvQxFcSM0HyM-RKuJUpd_pa3auCeDv/s640/blogger-image--321382795.jpg" /></a>The weather is starting to warm up and the snow is starting to melt in Anchorage! I went on a 4.5 mile run outside on Easter Sunday, it was absolutely beautiful. For the majority of the winter I have been working my lungs by using the treadmill. This particular run was pretty difficult and my lungs started to ache during the end, but I kept going because I knew that I was stronger than the pain.<br />
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One of my goals that I wrote down on my list was to run in a race called the 'Lost Lake Run' annually. It is a 16 mile trail/mountain run in beautiful Sweard, Alaska where the proceeds from registration and donations benefit Cystic Fibrosis. The first 7 miles are uphill, but the scenery is remarkable and filled with beauty. Last year I put together a team 'Team Sabrina Fights CF' and we raised $12,500 for this particular race. Lost Lake has been the most challenging and painful race that I have ever personally endured. The fight for CF motivates me to run and raise money so that a cure can be found!<br />
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Along the course there are half mile markers with faces of those affected with CF. When I ran past those mile markers, I felt empowered to keep going and I spent the whole 3 hours of the race thinking about CF and what I can do to help find a cure. Running in races and raising money for CF has become a passion for me and is something I want to continue to do. They are also an incentive for me to be a stronger person mentally and physically.<br />
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I have also been going to a bootcamp class once a week, it kicks my butt every Saturday morning. I try to do my own version of an at-home bootcamp once a week, which is a little more difficult because my two miniature dachshunds enjoy sitting on my back while I struggle to do one push up or give me 100 kisses a minute when I am trying to do a sit-up. I have always used running as a form of airway clearance and thought I didn't need to incorporate any other types of exercise. I was very wrong! Running is essential for my lungs, but it is so important to work other muscles. I did not realize how poor my upper body strength was until I started my bootcamp class and am amazed with how much it has improved.<br />
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My two goals for this year's Lost Lake Run are to beat my time from last year (3 hours 8 minutes) and to raise the same amount of donations or more for this race. That means I need to raise at least $12,500 for this race. I am determined to do this! I am ready to start my training and to continue to win a war with my lungs against CF.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lostlakerun.org/Fundraisers/SabrinaFightsCF.htm">http://www.lostlakerun.org/Fundraisers/SabrinaFightsCF.htm</a><br />
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I wanted to end my blog with a poem that I wrote in a poetry class I took in college 4 years ago. I have always enjoyed poetry and hope to continue to write and share it with you.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b><u>Cold Fight</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;">Stale bruises layer a warriors soul</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Photographs of existence display pale formations of cobweb scars</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">A corset wrapped chest</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> Crackles as whispers of breath roar in my mind</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Courage is inhaled</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">through a mind threaded with desire</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Fear collapses on the ebony shaded wings of spirits</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com0Downtown Anchorage61.212732 -149.889934tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-14243582845724795212013-03-04T22:11:00.001-08:002013-03-04T22:13:33.335-08:00Motivation for LifeEvery person on this earth has struggles and feats that they must face and try to stand up to. Our lives are shaken about and what happens next is really the luck of the draw. There are days filled with happiness and bliss, days with anger and hatred and there are days filled with pain or sadness. Strenuous days leave people feeling defeated and broken down.<br />
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Lately, I have been reading threads, blogs and discussions of others with Cystic Fibrosis who are outreaching for support. Some are heartbreaking encounters from families who are dealing with loss of a loved one with CF, there are others searching for guidance to cope with their life and there are prayer requests for loved ones in need of encouragement and a miracle. I may not need a lung transplant at this point in my life, but I understand the feeling of anguish and helplessness. I do not take my health for granted, but I also know from experience that this life can be tough.<br />
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When I was 19 years old I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on my spine. My doctors told me there was a chance that I would never be able to run again due to the size and location of the tumor. At one point while undergoing chemotherapy treatments in the hospital I came down with pneumonia. It was hard not to feel anything but complete hopelessness. I felt as if I was walking through a desolate desert, searching for the reigns of hope. <br />
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People endure a lifetime of battles and everyones story of conflict is different. I have grappled with more than the average person should in a whole lifetime in my first 18 years of life. As I have been learning about others with CF I have become aware of the true warriors who fight the daily battle of Cystic Fibrosis. I wanted to recognize how strong and enduring these CF'ers are. Every day they step into their mighty boots and deal with the weight of the day.<br />
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I wanted to remind those <span style="color: purple;">with and without</span> CF that this life is an extraordinary and magical journey. Every single day has a challenge attached to it, but we must try and do all that we can to surpass those challenges. Every day ask yourself what you can do for yourself. We must take care of ourselves before we can even think about taking care of others. If we are haphazardly invested in our own well being how much good can we do for the people in our lives we care about? For those with CF it is so essential that we are compliant with our treatments, and to kick CF's butt even more do something that gets the oxygen flowing through your lungs. I guarantee the more you push your lungs the better your pulmonary function test (PFT) will be.<br />
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On top of compliance, I am asking for you to push yourselves a little harder every day. Go for a walk, run, lift weights or attend a workout class. I promise that pushing your lungs with exercise will be beneficial to your health. Exercise is not easy, and I know that I am not the strongest athlete or fastest runner. I do know that my health and lungs thrive when I am working them. I definitely struggle but my will to survive keeps me going. <br />
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I want to inspire you to never give up and to do all that you can to be a stronger and healthier you. Please don't quit or feel helpless when times are difficult, push past the fear and fight it. <br />
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Thank you for reading my blog :)</div>
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Sabrina</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421597884013058952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923744430362848841.post-85812480527059013472013-02-01T11:39:00.001-08:002013-02-01T11:58:47.141-08:00A Little About Me And My Life Challenges<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My name is Sabrina Smith Walker, I have Cystic Fibrosis and I am a cancer survivor.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is a snippet about my life:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzcKBJjuLM9zpock_kLpcnBAhQWfP1y3IvXiyfFCe4prGVd3swVJTGXd9xO3nZ5smlILvkhTJliogwPaokvGC9lcvA2QYwDOD2u7NJlfJw5g6LQZPsbhNKkZvBcePOE2IuY-TI1SJxgct/s1600/fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzcKBJjuLM9zpock_kLpcnBAhQWfP1y3IvXiyfFCe4prGVd3swVJTGXd9xO3nZ5smlILvkhTJliogwPaokvGC9lcvA2QYwDOD2u7NJlfJw5g6LQZPsbhNKkZvBcePOE2IuY-TI1SJxgct/s1600/fireworks.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am 26 years old, and was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I still reside in Anchorage with my husband, Adam, and our two miniature dachshunds, Oscar and Lola.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B-Urzd-l_v1mZ7hlKvnacktJY5sTLWniYRZRyn-fuzZ53Qy0soY0z0pYOotk7Itn_X3faxM95VLPdk5qT9QOrdxJAOfkAlXiz6AJ0zaye_c7W9n_fKyz00GCXw1wf462MPSSU5Eb59c8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B-Urzd-l_v1mZ7hlKvnacktJY5sTLWniYRZRyn-fuzZ53Qy0soY0z0pYOotk7Itn_X3faxM95VLPdk5qT9QOrdxJAOfkAlXiz6AJ0zaye_c7W9n_fKyz00GCXw1wf462MPSSU5Eb59c8/s1600/photo.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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My friend, Whitney, made this for me when I was in the hospital a few years ago.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 4. I was not diagnosed at birth because I am a quarter Tlingit Indian and it is very rare for someone that is Alaska Native/ Native American to have Cystic Fibrosis. I was told that I would not live past the age of 8, luckily that wasn't true!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I was 18 years old, I was constantly getting lower back pain and whenever I bent over or sat down I would feel shooting pains that would travel down to my feet. I eventually found out that I had a tumor on my spine that was cancerous. I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. While all my friends embarked on their new life journey and attended college, I would endure 4 months of aggressive chemotherapy and 1 month of Radiation. Every two weeks in between treatments I was required to do at home 'tune-ups' with medicine balls filled with Tobramycin and Ceftazadime so that I could fight lung infections. I even had a battle with Pneumonia. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At this point in my life I felt defeated and I felt that life was slipping out from under my feet. I had cancer and a hereditary disease at the same time. At that point in my life I had simple wishes like combing my hair or tasting food (my love for spicy food came from this point in my life). Adam and I were also in a long distance relationship, he was in his final years at West Virginia University, and we saw each other sparsely because it was expensive and a lengthy flight time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I have been cancer free for 7 years, December 2, 2005!</b> I have endured agony and sadness in my life but I have also conquered so many obstacles that have been thrown my way. Sometimes adversity can be used to better ourselves and our outlook on life. I like to push myself and set goals for myself to accomplish. I feel that I can use my goals and my feats for good. I enjoy running and I also like to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. So far I have raised $15,000 for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by raising money and running races that benefit CF.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with my degree in Elementary Education in May 2011. I do not work in the education field because it was hard on me health wise and I value my health too much. I did meet many wonderful and intelligent educators in the education program. I now work at an Alaska Native art gallery that is a non-profit in Anchorage, Alaska. I really enjoy my job and it is wonderful to provide Alaska Native artists with opportunities that empower their culture and community.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are several reasons why I have decided to write a blog. I have established a set of goals (one of my goals was to start a blog) for myself and I want to hold myself accountable by documenting and talking about my journey in life with CF. I also want to inspire others with or without CF to exercise and understand the value of exercise in regards to our health. I also want to grow a relationship with others who have CF or anyone that is interested. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a person with CF, I understand the struggles and the pain that CF causes, but I also feel fortunate and thankful for this life. I recently heard someone talk about adversity and I felt drawn to this word. I felt that by having CF and being a cancer survivor, I am aware and grateful for each and every year, day, breath, wonderful moment, my family, my husband, my friends and my two little nuggets (miniature dachshunds), Oscar and Lola.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAWF5n0MNVPjhtkkWjlUZ6NFhsXecnMbVv6DCMvRG9_fKyojqOp6tTKRlxYh57XDKH6NQwZ0OlWeH4KMVMCWCp0WfyzLjQSfpQ9IYwbBkG82rUxnACXm74YUJiZM7ejesPJ1vKtqinMaa/s1600/photo+(2)_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAWF5n0MNVPjhtkkWjlUZ6NFhsXecnMbVv6DCMvRG9_fKyojqOp6tTKRlxYh57XDKH6NQwZ0OlWeH4KMVMCWCp0WfyzLjQSfpQ9IYwbBkG82rUxnACXm74YUJiZM7ejesPJ1vKtqinMaa/s1600/photo+(2)_2.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think that people with CF and other diseases are appreciative of this special life that we have the privilege to embark on. Many times there is pain and chaos in our lives but we should cherish the amount of time that we are given and do all that we can for ourselves and our bodies. Make healthy choices! Exercise, eat well, stay compliant with treatments and medicines. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We can take our tragedies and turn them into triumphs! Sometimes that is not easy but I know that people with CF are a tough breed. We can overcome this disease and it is helpful to do so when you have positive influences in your life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have several goals that I want to achieve in my lifetime and I am going to document them on here so that I have them written down and I can glance at them when I need motivation or I need to step outside my comfort zone. Some are small goals and some are large.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTXz8woRqQTA7QQS5zUdH8BCvniU8CW_JXGyqVNp2uQhAS0DAqZlemZoo4i38HnmC5Q66uVCihww49dzjo5YePsvXPrnYcf3Th0Nw_tmP8Tb8-0mli20iwG3cJyzrn6H7jhFZ1jA_1QnS/s1600/307071_643921898833_663583704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTXz8woRqQTA7QQS5zUdH8BCvniU8CW_JXGyqVNp2uQhAS0DAqZlemZoo4i38HnmC5Q66uVCihww49dzjo5YePsvXPrnYcf3Th0Nw_tmP8Tb8-0mli20iwG3cJyzrn6H7jhFZ1jA_1QnS/s1600/307071_643921898833_663583704_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sabrina's Goals</span></u></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Run a marathon</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Compete in the 16 mile Lost Lake Run annually and raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Start a run that benefits Cystic Fibrosis in Anchorage</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be in a Play</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do a triathlon</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Travel to Europe </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Run 3 times a week and do strength training 2 times a week</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Beat my half marathon and 10K personal record times</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Travel to a village in Alaska</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Start a Blog :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would love to travel around the country and world to run in races that benefit CF and raise money along the way. (Maybe I could get a group of CF'ers or anyone who would do this with me.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My list is ever evolving and I will add new goals to my list as they come to me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>What are your goals and aspirations? Please share your goals with me :)</i></b></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I recently read a quote and this how I want to end my blog.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;">"In the moment that you want to give up, you will find what you're really made of." - Unknown</span></strong></div>
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Thank you for reading my blog.<br />
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Sabrina Smith Walker<br />
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