:: Professor Biscuit

A Dog's Purpose: As Explained by a 6-Year-Old 

by Scott Fornaciari 

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners - Ron, his wife Lisa and their little boy Shane - Were all very attached to Belker and were hoping for a miracle. 

I examined Belker and found he was dying of Cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for him and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for 6-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation and it has changed the way I try to live.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - Like loving everybody all the time and being nice. Dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

If dogs were teachers, we might learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. And when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

It's difficult to be kind to others when you don't feel well or you're having a bad day. It's difficult to practice empathy and compassion despite what your emotionally-fueled personal feelings may be at the time. It's difficult to realize the good that lies in front of you when you feel overwhelmed with misfortune. And it's difficult to remember to try and always "Do Unto Others". But sometimes, all it takes is a simple reminder to put things into perspective and provide you with a new goal of how to try to live each day...

And this is mine ♥

:: The Land of Oz

Clearly, I'm the world's worst at keeping my blog up to date. But I'm fairly certain that I found a way to come back with a bang in 2013 :D

This year, I become a living, breathing fossil. That's right, kids...Though I may only look 14, in ten days, I turn The Big 3-0. And in honor of this CF milestone, I was given the opportunity to visit Australia, aka my #1 Bucket List destination, in January with my cyster, Lyndsey. We covered three "states" and packed as much into two weeks as our little lungs and legs could handle, resulting in hours of stories, hundreds of photos and a video blog from this shameless nerd, which I'll let speak for itself A) Because it'll do the trip far more justice than my rambling ever could and B) Because it's time to soak my dentures.

BONUS: Little did I know while recording these video snippets that once pieced together, this vlog would have the ability to double as a drinking game. Should you choose to accept this mission, drink up every time I describe something as "absolutely gorgeous" or get all scrunchy-faced squinting against the brutal, yet fabulous, Aussie sun. You'll get toasty.

F Rex, over and out ♥

:: Blind Faith

I am in the midst of learning one of my most arduous life lessons yet: That the hardest thing in the world for a control freak to do is to "Let go and let God."

It sounds fairly simple. What could make life easier than turning all of your problems, questions and worries over to someone else and letting them fix things? What could possibly be more liberating? But for a girl who seemed to set up permanent camp in "the weeds" as a server and who drove herself into the hospital on more than one occasion while working for Dr G, trust me when I say that it is not.

It is difficult, frustrating and disheartening to feel like every time you take two steps forward, you take twelve back; To make decisions and fear that they may be the biggest mistakes of your life; To walk with no knowledge of when or if you'll reach the destination you're aiming for; And to hang onto something that you believe with all of your heart, even when it seems hopeless. Not because you have tangible proof that your fight isn't in vain, but because of a quiet voice that encourages, "Walk this way. Even if you don't want to. Even if you don't understand why. Even if it hurts to the depth of your soul. It will be worth it." 

For there is no feeling more extraordinary when the pain seems unbearable and nothing makes sense and you're on the verge of giving up than stumbling upon unmistakable reassurance, no matter how small, that through all of the unknowns, you are exactly where you should be according to what God has planned for your life. That promise alone makes even the hardest days manageable.

Don't get me wrong...I am aware that we as human beings have free will and that we are all responsible for our own choices. Wherein lies the challenge is that it is very much a choice to pay attention to or to ignore the voice guiding you. It is very much a choice to walk a different route because it's easier. And it is very much a choice to venture off the beaten path with nothing except blind faith and trust to guide you.

And trust Him I will. Although it would be nice to see clearly every once in a while.

:: Inconceivable

Show of hands...How many of you just read that title Princess Bride style?

Blame it on my inherently emotional Pisces nature, but I'm with my future husband Mr Depp in believing that a life without love is meaningless and empty. Don't be mistaken...I am NOT solely referring to romantic relationships. Giving and receiving love between friends, family, romantic partners and fellow mankind in general is, in my opinion, what makes life worth living. Whether it be camaraderie with friends during a night out, randomly helping a stranger, reconnecting with family over the holidays, hearing "I love you" from that special someone or contributing to a Habitat for Humanity project, love in all shapes and forms is the only thing in this world that can cover up all pain and negativity and make life feel wonderful again.

So someone please explain to me why some are so averse to it. Terrified of it. Will do absolutely anything they can to run from it, including responding to those who attempt to show them love from the opposite end of the spectrum: Anger, cruelty, indifference and defiance. There are so many horrible things in this world that mankind tolerates every day and yet we fight God's greatest, purest blessing? It's inconceivable to me. But, "There by the grace of God go I". It is not my place to judge or to change...Only to love anyway.

Never use the words "I love you" loosely. If you speak them, practice them. And if someone says them to you, realize how blessed you are, refrain from shutting yourself off to it...And maybe even try letting down your defenses and reciprocating it. True happiness, in its simplest form, stems from love in one way or another. Be happy. Always.

:: "Bring Out Ya Dead!"..."I'm Not Dead Yet!"

Bit morbid? Probably. Moving along...

Happy Birthday to Me! :)

So the last few days until my 29th birthday are rapidly dwindling down. (Crack all the over-the-hill jokes you like, but keep in mind how little they affect us CFers ;) There are only two things that I want for my birthday - One of which has been discussed and will hopefully still be granted at the end of March after my PICC is out and my IVs are over - But the other is more unorthodox. I fully intend to carpe the hell out of my last diems in my twenties, but one day, that may not be possible for me without an organ transplant. The best gift that anyone can give me would be to officially list yourselves on the national organ donation registry. Yes, I'm serious. Currently more than 110,000 people across the United States are anxiously awaiting life-saving transplants...One donor can save up to eight lives and one day, one of those lives will be mine. I've been a donor on my driver's license for years, but I just recently registered at DonateLifeTexas.org and in honor of my decision and my birthday, my mama gifted me with the new license plates above that I personalized myself. Love them!!! :) Obviously in my case, my organs will most likely go to CF research instead of transplants, but will still be lifesaving in their own right. Once you've passed, your organs will be of as much use to you as your credit card, so why not make a second lease on this beautiful life possible for someone less fortunate? DonateLife.net. Do it. For me. And then let me know so I can smother you with thank yous :)

I'm also super excited and proud to announce that on 12.12.12, I'll be in sunny Florida standing beside the lovely miss Jessika as one of her bridesmaids! :D I won't lie...Between how happy I am for her, how honored I feel to have been asked and the anticipatory glee of finally getting to vacation to my one beachy dream destination that I've never been to, I got a little teary eyed...Before I started doing my happy dance. As an added bonus, by then she'll be all transplanted up and enjoying a new lease on life that will only be made that much more amazing once she and Leighton are husband and wife. And I get to be a part of all of that? Who says there are no such things as fairy tales?

My weekly follow-up with my Infectious Disease Specialist was Wednesday morning to draw blood, check antibiotic levels, change my PICC dressing and pick up this week's box of IV meds and supplies. I'm slowly becoming accustomed to my new Siamese twin. For the first few days I ran mid-grade fevers which, thankfully, have left and not returned, but have now been replaced with extreme fatigue, a fluctuating appetite, irritability (OK bitchiness...Let's call a spade a spade...), the inability to hear out of my right ear first thing in the morning and most recently, nightmares. Every. Single. Night :-p And the loaded question: "Are you feeling better?" Yes and no. My coughing is more productive when I wake up and after my treatments so my breathing is increasingly becoming easier, but the side effects have me so worn down that it's difficult to notice. Plus I'm going on two months of being out of Pulmozyme, so there's the added effort of getting well without that. But IVs are rough for everyone, so I have zero room to gripe, and I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to get better. It may not always be at the forefront of my mind, but the fact that I can still GET well trumps any complaints that I might have.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7. It never ceases to amaze me how certain verses can be as cathartic as hearing the right song lyrics. Thank you, Lord, for continuing to give me strength and patience in more ways than one ♥