Cheriz: My life with Cystic Fibrosis

Lots Going on & Beyond Excited: I've been writing about some big topics that discuss how Cystic Fibrosis affects Marriage. Not all the changes are bad. Yes, moving to new locations for my Husband's work means the hassle of switching pharmacies, updating info with all doctor's offices, and even deciding whether or not to switch doctors. I wrote a whole blog post on why choosing & deciding whether or not to stay with our current doctors is so difficult. However, I LOVE where we are living right now & we are closer to my hometown, so I can still be involved as much as I want. It's a good area for Real Estate too (which I will be starting once we are back from our Honeymoon).  I'd say the hardest part for me post-marriage has been switching insurance & switching pharmacies. We have a good insurance plan (we pay $3000 per person for a deductible) because it cover 100% of all specialty drugs post deductible, there is no 20/80% costs or co-pays, etc.

Things to Consider: First off, let me tell you that we considered everything I'm about to discuss. We decided extra money out of our pocket to pay more medical expenses was worth it to be married. We planned accordingly for those bills and made our decision. Also know, this topic is always the hardest to write about. It is embarrassing for everyone to know how little I did have (financially). BUT, It is the truth and it because of my Cystic Fibrosis I had issues working. So here is my TRUTH about insurance and financial struggles. Although, Andrew & I ended up pretty lucky though in the end! But, not everyone is as lucky as us! Here is why we are lucky considering the system ( and please no political talk or bad mouthing political figures of either side, I will delete any comments that do. I'm not here to start a political war or debate). I'm not trying to bash our system, even if it has flaws, I'm just here to tell it like we have experienced everything.

Home, Sweet Home: This weekend is Homestead! I haven't gone home for Homestead since 2013. After college I lived in Princeton for a few years, but then when I moved to the Chicago area I couldn't get off work to come home. However, this weekend I do! Andrew and I went home for my 10 year class reunion in 2013 (pic left) . This weekend it's only for the one day, but I'll be able to see the Parade with my family, check out the craft show, shop at the stores downtown, and even get to check out a new restaurant where Andrew's Cousin-in-law is the GM. I always go home for 5 and 10 year reunions to see my graduating classmates ( I'm also 1 of 3 people that plan our reunions). But this isn't a year where we have a reunion, so I'm just lucky to get to go home for it. I'm excited to see Princeton, I haven't been home since we got married. Which has only been 3 weeks, but feels like a lot longer. In my mind, my hometown is the greatest town in the wo

A Big Decision: Having Cystic Fibrosis shouldn't control every aspect of your life. But it does play a big part in some decisions. There are many decisions when it came to us moving. Moving with CF can be a big headache, some states don't even have a CF center. Did you know that? Crazy huh. Read about our decision to move here !  Our moving was great for Andrew's Career. It was a big promotion with a salary increase, plus he decided a while back he wanted to make a career with the company he was working for (instead of using his history degree). He loves his job and does really well in Restaurant/Grocery Store Management. So when he brought it up, I was all for it, but we had to consider the medical aspect. 1.health benefits at the company. 2. local hospitals/ doctors ( can they deal with my CF) 3. CF Center/ Doctor 4. Pharmacies to switch meds over Luckily, his company does have good health benefits and  I currently get my medications from a nationwide pharmacy