much delayed update

It has been a little over a month since Colin was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. In that time we have received an outpouring of love and prayers from so many of you and we cannot help but feel the hand of God moving in our lives. First and foremost we have asked you to pray that God would give us strength, and He has provided all the strength we need. Not to say that the past month has been easy, nor that the next many years as Colin's parents will always be easy either, but we have a determined trust that the Lord will always provide us with the extra courage, the extra patience, the extra endurance we need to face CF and to face this life he has blessed us with.

Thank you all so very much for everything you have done. Both in thought, prayer and action. We cannot express how much you all mean to us and are grateful to call you all "family."

As for Colin, he is doing extremely well. At his seven month well child exam he weighed in at approx. 14 lb. 12 oz. and a week later at his pulmonologist (CF Dr.) appt. he had gained another half pound or so. In a little over a month's time, that means he gained almost 3 lb. when previously he had been gaining about a pound a month, and not even that recently. His CF Dr. noticed significant improvement in how well the air was moving through his lungs and suggested we could reduce the three breathing treatments we were doing per day down to two for two weeks, and then down to just one. They did test him again for Pseudomonas, which is a CF specific virus, and it is still present in his system, but not causing any illness. In order to knock it out of his system he is on an antibiotic called Gentomicin.

Our life is definitely different than it was a month and a half ago, but I think we are getting adjusted to it all. Below I have sketched out what a normal day looks like for us lately. Bear in mind that this could easily change with every passing week.

Rebecca's sister, Sarah Branigan, has also started an incredible "event" through the popular social networking site, Facebook. Through the event, "65 Roses for Colin," Friends, family and strangers are able to create a rose (any way they choose) in honor of Colin and send it to him. We have received many more than 65 and have heard that there are more on the way. Additionally, Sarah and Rebecca have put together a website to permanently showcase the roses that have been sent in, as well as provide information about Colin, Cystic Fibrosis, CFF.org, as well as how one can get involved in a local or national campaign. Please check out www.colins65roses.org whenever you get the chance!

A day in the life of the Fishes:

wake up

colin's am breathing treatment (xoponex & pulmocort, then gentomicin)

shower/get dressed

give colin vitamins (once a day)

give colin zantac

give colin enzymes (every feeding)

feed colin

chest physical therapy (pt) - somewhere in there

take colin to nanna's

work

pick up colin from nanna's

get home

give colin zantac

give colin enzymes

feed colin

bath

chest pt

bedtime story

colin's pm breathing treatment

colin to bed

Of course, this list is oversimplified. However, the best days do seem to be the ones that are the most regimented. We find that Saturdays are the worst at trying to keep his schedule, especially with naps and the like, but he toughs it through, and he loves spending all day with daddy (and mommy).

Also, check out the newest pictures of Colin on Picasa via the link to the left!