Need Input.. Being Interveiwed!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I was contacted by the Boomer Easionson foundation, which is a foundation formed by Boomer, who has a son with Cystic Fibrosis... Anyway, a great inspiration named Jerry who does pod casts for the foundation has contacted me to do a one hour interview.

 

The topic is.. How NOT to live your life or make decisions based on a disease you have. I have always gone against the grain of what my doctors have told me to do, such as going to nursing school when I was told not to, but I also made a lot of other decisions that were assuming I would not be alive at this point in my life such as choosing not to date or have children. I am way past the point energy wise to even consider fostering a child on a full time bases but I regret maybe not looking into it in the past.

 

This is the topic below.. I need to come up with 12-18 questions for Jerry to ask me and I am stumped. I guess for one I am exhausted and not able to think clearly and two, I don't find myself that interesting. Could you guys think of any questions to ask me?

 

Topic One:   How NOT to live your life or make decisions based on a disease you have. Go for the gusto in Life no matter what they say.


When I was diagnosed with CF I was 29 years old. In spite of always wanting to have children,  I did not want to bring a child into the world, a world I assumed I would be leaving pretty quickly.  I chose not to get married because I did not want to bring anyone into my situation and I also decided that I needed a career where I can work less and still support myself, so I decided to leave teaching and become a Registered Nurse. I was told by many doctors that if I was to go to nursing school it would make me so sick I would die. I did not listen to them. I was sick in school, on IVs more frequently and my cultures were more nasty but I graduated top of my class with nearly a 4.0. I was Class President and in three Honor Societies.  I went on to become an Emergency Room Nurse, got certified in critical care, as well as adult and pediatric trauma. While I can not work to that capacity now, and I am on disability, I am on a  program called the working disabled and I still work one day a week in a heart hospital.  

We could briefly discuss me being dx at 29, The horrendous time I had accepting that I had this disease. Dealing with the treatments, the nebs and the dreaded Mr Thumper. AKA the vest.  I did allow the diagnoses to  dictate a lot of things in my life that I wish it didn't however, I am very glad that I went with my heart and still pursued my dreams. I am very happy and very fulfilled. I know a lot of CFers do not believe that there is going to be a cure, or that the new clinical trials are going to work. I never believed I would be undiagnosed with CF. I think we need to keep trudging along and live our lives in spite of the insurmountable obstacles that come our way.

 

(Basically any questions you can come up with within the realm of this topic would be super douper cool... I have to have it done tonight and I am brain dead and have a fever.....SOS...

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jennifer, I am so incredibly impressed. You are a woman of great courage, strength and purpose.

Questions:

What do you, specifically, to lift yourself up to living life as fully as possible when those times of discouragement come?

How do you manage your symptoms? Do you have help?

How do you maintain friendships when you are chronically ill?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh thank you thank you thank you and Thank you.. I honestly don't feel well today and I can't think for the life of me and I have to get this done... Three questions down 14 more to go!!! Thank you for helping do my thinking for me!!! I will post a link to the podcast if you are interested once it is done.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am very interested! Thank you. 

Question:
Are there particular activities that you find you are able to participate in that are energizing without compromising your condition?

Have you considered writing a blog for CF or others living with disabilities. Would you? Your voice could be an encouragement to so many. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

What mid-diagnoses did you have before CF and how has your perspective changed?

Has your medical care improved with this diagnosis and what changes has your life style taken as a result. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

You are a brave woman to take on such a challenge.

 

My questions would be: How has having Jack in your life changed your outlook on life.

                                        

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks Donna, That is a great question, Thank you Bonnie and Donna for the questions, keep them coming.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I submitted 20 questions, some of them were a bit redundant but I had less then 24 hours notice. I don't feel good, and He really didn't give me any help other then to say this was my PODCast... Oh well he will tweak anything he doesn't like hopefully.

 

I am getting paid a lot of money to do this.. A lot... so I want to do a good job... I guess I will hear more tomorrow about the time and place we are meeting.. It is weird to think of questions to ask yourself.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so pleased you have this opportunity! You have a strong voice which will encourage others. Praying you will be feeling well the day of the interview.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks for being so supportive I needed someone to bounce ideas off of.. You have been so kind.