I have a number in my head. I want that number.

A lung score number. I believe I can achieve it.

I am realistic and I do not believe it can happen overnight.

My PFTs at my appt yesterday showed some improvement. My PFT’s definitely have shown an improvement from a year ago. The number from yesterday could change overnight, without a doubt. It may not be a real number, because it has to be consistent not an anomaly.  But, there is still an improvement from a year ago.

I believe, as tests show, it seems I have a lot of inflammation in my lungs and I am trying to find the best ways to decrease that inflammation.

I see calm waves . . .

During the last 3-months the two to three significant things I am changed:

Tons of eustress.

I have been doing my treadmill daily for 20-30 minutes. I go up and down and not terribly fast. As my doc in MN pointed it out, “We don’t want you to lose weight. Don’t go above your target heartrate.”

We calculated my new 40-year old heartrate, and I push, but not to exceed.

I have been on Cayston, a new pseudomonas drug for me for over a year. The last three times I have not cultured pseudomonas which is a miracle.  I am on Cayston one month, Tobi next, Cayston next, Tobi again, all year around which creates a streamline prophylactic-affect to treat pseudomonas.

I will say, because I am realistic and want to be honest, I have cultured a new bacteria, but I will stay take one for the team.

I got new nebulizers and properly clean them and replace them on a regular cycle. This is all because of my MN respiratory therapist.

So – there are some positives notes.

I did run into a blip – I just realized today.

While I am in MN in a couple weeks, I have to do Tobi which takes forever. My regualr treatment 20-30 minutes, and then Tobi takes an extra 25 minutes, twice a day.

One of my travel air compressors recently died. It was getting old, but I think my car lighter killed it when it blew a fuse. I have to talk to my car guy on how to deal with my car lighter fuse blowing when I do my neb in my car on my Tobi month.  It shouldn’t do that. It works for like 3-weeks and then the fuse blows. The air compressor has the proper lighter cord for the car, it should work fine. I may use a middle electrial device to help defuse a possible fuse. I have to talk to the guy. Not having it makes my life much more time-constrained which means less sleep. I will take any ideas if you have them!

My travel air compressor can only be use for 30 minutes at a time, because it gets so hot. Thus – the problem with the two treatments in a row. And my travel air compressor takes longer and mentally I just can’t deal taking longer than it already does.

So, I decided to send a new full air compressor to my friends in MN (Thank you Nate and Cheyenne!) and leave it there.  It has more power and is stable. My air compressor that I have always gotten is not available anymore – or I couldn’t find it. Last time I got it on amazon.

Some of the companies also require a perscription which is a pain in the ass.

I found a brand that seemed a great substitute. I am pay the $300 out-of-pocket because it takes forever to get through an insurance, and often they use blah-blah company, and literally it is pulling teeth.

However, I am going to talk to my MN people and get a script and hopefully get another one for back-up. I will see what brand and company they are using these days, and perhaps there is a company that still makes my old compressor. It is a really good air compressor and goes for years if taken care of properly.

I will get a secondary travel air compressor, which I also pay out-of-pocket. It is only $60, but it is still $60. Insurances don’t care to cover that little amount, as I have been told.

I apologize if the air compressor information is confusing. It is confusing. It creates lines across my forehead.

And a lot of this seems all very boring, because it is.

It is tedious and yet extremely important bullshit.

I still believe exercise is the best. It is beyond any treatment, any vest – anything.

I still believe consistency and persistency is key.  The calm waves . . . the sunset . . . the sunrise.

I still have a number in mind.

I am still going to achieve it.

I am stubborn and steadfast to the core.

Most importantly – I believe MN has everything to do with my improvement.