Lauren's New Vest

We received some good news: Lauren's vest was approved by the insurance (although it is considered "out-of-network") and so were the RSV shots again this year.  The respiratory therapist came to our house about 2 weeks ago to train us on using the vest and to make sure it fit.  We tried it out while she was there, and she did a great job.  I think she was a little unsure at first, but has really gotten used to it.  As a matter of fact, at night she usually falls asleep with it on.  Instead of us patting her, the vest does it for us.  The hoses have a length of about 5 feet, so she can walk within a 5 foot radius of the machine instead of us holding her.  The only thing is it's hard to find 30 minutes every morning and night to do it.
Chris took her for her first of 5 RSV shots.  She'll get one every month during RSV season (Nov-March).  Poor thing is like a pin cushion!  She wasn't able to get her 15-month vaccines because she was on steroids at the time...so, in January, instead of getting just one vaccine plus the RSV, she'll get 4 plus the RSV...poor thing!
We have all gotten our flu shots...HAVE YOU?

Alli's Field Trip to Denver Downs

I had the pleasure of being a chaperone for Alli's class at the Denver Downs Corn Maze.  I had no idea there was more there than just the corn maze.  Funny thing-we never made it into the actual maze!  But, we kept busy for over 2 hrs!  We all had a good time!  I'm so glad I got to spend some time with Alli.  We were kind of wondering how she was doing adjusting to her new class, and I think she was doing pretty well.

Lauren's yearly CF check-up and Happy Halloween!

Lauren went to the pulmonologist for her yearly check-up.  It went as well as could be expected considering she had to have labs drawn (8 tubes), chest x-rays, lung culture, and a check-up.  Luckily, Chris went with me this year.  I'm not sure if I could have held her down for all of that by myself!  Her chest x-ray looked good.  She grew a new bug on her lung culture (Serratia) that they will be watching. Her vit. D was still low, so they are boosting the supplements.  While we were there we also discussed a vest for Lauren for chest PT instead of doing it by hand and her getting the RSV vaccine again this year.  They put all of those things in motion as well with the insurance company.

The girls had an awesome Halloween!  We went to downtown Clemson first, then headed over to the church for trunk-or-treat.  They both got a lot of loot! And, little did we know that daddy (aka willie from duck dynasty) would be there.  Alli was also thrilled to see some of her old pals from CEC and the Tiger.

Clemson Kickoff for a Cure a Success!

A huge thank you to all who turned out for the 1st annual Clemson Kickoff for a Cure.  It was a huge success.  We hope to tweak it a little for next year!  All of our food vendors were marvelous!  I so enjoyed getting to know you all over the months of planning.  A big thank you to: Cubcakes, Papa Johns, Chick fil a, Chipotle, Fuddruckers, Hooters, McAlister's Deli, and The Tip Top Cake Shop.  The silent auction also went well~Chris and I came home with a 55in plasma TV, Chipotle catering for 20, and a concealed weapons class!  Maybe we should have had a budget going in...  A huge thank you to Coach Dabo who did a video message, and most of all, a big thanks to Averie Wood who spoke as the Bid for the Cure speaker.  She is a Clemson student with CF who is a blessing for me to know and gives me hope for Lauren!