Skip to main content

A Birthday Treat


Born 12 weeks early and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly People didn't think I'd live past 5 and tomorrow I turn 34 years old. BOOM BABY!





I wear my age, gray hair, and wrinkles proudly (yes, even the wrinkles). Hats off to all the medication for keeping me alive. And OF COURSE... my parents, doctors, family, and friends. Research and fundraising has really helped some AMAZING, life prolonging drugs come to market. I have a large support system that helps and volunteers. I'm so thankful!!





Heaven knows I needed that support system when I became a foster mom. Especially since I went from zero kids to three specialized (needs) kids. All three of whom I LOVE completely and will do anything for in the future. But, I needed help when I was sick, run down, and tired. As I said in a previous post last mont, " It's a challenge to be foster parents, it's not a challenge to love them" (Blog post: Thinking of Fostering).





I know most parents are guilty of spending money on their kids and not nearly enough on themselves, I'm guilty of that. And I think my life has been so busy and full (see post: Finding some ME TIME) that I haven't gone shopping for myself in WAY too long. Even worse, I haven't bought new clothes that fit since my (AWESOME) weight gain! Yes, as a person with CF, I'm easily malnourished, so I'm encouraged to gain weight all the time. So when I'm busting out of my jeans, I'm proud. But yipes, I need to shop.





Theatre Snacks & Enzymes




I had told Andrew for my birthday I wanted to get a new piece of clothing, spend the day with my family, and see the movie "Five Feet Apart" in the theatre at some point. (on an afternoon on a weekday- less crowds).





WELL, last week we made plans to have my family come over and we went to see "Five Feet Apart" on Tuesday. I posted a review video on my Blog's Facebook page HERE. I really did enjoy the movie, but I think it's important to discuss a lot of the topics, so please check out the video at the link. But, the cool and unexpected shock came last week, when a local shop: Seventh Street Boutique decided to give an outfit giveaway for a foster parent in the area. Lots of ladies were nominated and I was showered with love as lots of family & friends. I wasn't drawn as the winner of the outfit & accessories! But, the boutique felt the emotions behind all the nominations that I & one other local friend received, that we also will get a free article of clothing: either Shirt, Pants, or dress!









Andrew and I went to pick out my piece of clothing TODAY as an early birthday treat and as a way to start the weekend!





Seventh Street Boutique has tons of clothing and accessories! Lots of styles and everything I tried on was comfy too! I was impressed by the range of sizes. Small to plus sizes and lots variety! I highly recommend stopping in and seeing what they have in stock. I mean cute, stylish, affordable, and gives back to community! What's not to love?!





speaking of LOVE...









I LOVE my new DRESS!?!?! I plan to wear it on Easter with the earrings that my babysitting kid made me back when she was like 8 years old!





As far as my birthday plans... Looking forward to spending the day with my family, simple & sweet. Just how I like it!





(PS> I have a birthday fundraiser going on for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation CF Walk: LINK TO DONATE! )


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Fostering and CF impact my work

I haven't been on my blog much.... I think that is because most of my blogging is currently been done on Health Union's Cystic-Fibrosis.com (here is link to all my posts on their site: https://cystic-fibrosis.com/members/cherizkunkel/ ). I decided last fall to step away from real estate after 3 years in the business. It was tough to say good-bye, especially since I had tripled my volume and business in the last year. However, I didn't have time to add any new clients; I kept saying, maybe next week, next month I can fit more work into my schedule. The truth is fostering takes a lot of time. We have between 5-8 monthly visits at the agency, 1 court ate a month, 2 home visits from the caseworker a month, plus e have 2-3 doctors/specialist appointments for our current kiddo. We have lots of paperwork we fill out, gas mile logs, receipts to add, and more! Our kiddo also participates in gymnastics and dance two nights a week. We go to a fosterparent support group with our kid ...
2 comments
Read more

Video Blog: Life in the hospital (as a child)

The daily life in the hospital! Most people cringe at the idea of a hospital. However, when I was little I never minded going into the hospital. I usually would have at least one other friend with Cystic Fibrosis to hang out with there (before we knew about the "CF Bugs"). I didn't love being sick, but I loved my CF friends that I would hang out with. Also the hospital, nurses, and my parent's tried to make it a "normal" environment. I got up and put on cute clothes, "walked to school", flirted with a couple CF boys, did homework, came "home" (back to my room), my friends would ask my parent if I could go play with them. We'd hang out in the play room or go on a walk with one of my parents! My dad loved taking me on walks and I LOVED going on our walks! Here is a video blog of the route we took and bit of information on what is was like growing up (for a chunks at a time) in the hospital! (it is posted via youtube, let is dow...
3 comments
Read more

CF isn't all tears and saddness. Get a Full Picture.

  CF and Laughing Cystic Fibrosis can bring sad times and times of tears (like losing a close friend with CF, etc) BUT, it can bring so much joy and love. I've noticed most people love to talk about the people they meet while traveling. This is usually, because they have learned something from the person. Or the person is considered unique to them. I can do the same thanks to my Cystic Fibrosis. I may not have traveled much in my life thus far, but I have learned mountains of lessons from my CF. [Picture right:  Me ready for surgery in 2nd grade!] Forgive my shoutouts (but I must recognize a few amazing people) I have met some of the most amazing doctors: Chatrath, Dr. B Nurses: Sara & Marie (from Clinic), Lizzard, Melody (best IV stick ever), Deb, and Kris (you know a nurse is amazing if you love her after putting tubes down your nose!) Respitory Therapists: Jeannette, Lanell, and Don (you da Man) And Cookie Marrow (Musical Therapist- She would sing to me a...
2 comments
Read more