tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323135862011-11-14T07:33:04.677-07:00I have an addiction to Oxygen... Don't you judge me!Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-45259922968402495912011-11-10T06:03:00.008-07:002011-11-13T22:18:03.580-07:00

How do you ever prepare for something like this? Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to have to write something like this. I always hoped it would be the other way around. Yet it seems it is left to myself and someone else to always witness and report on these things. It has taken me a few weeks to get to the point where I could even start writing about it because of the shock and sadness it

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-53268959150385322072011-03-05T21:43:00.004-07:002011-03-05T21:52:30.268-07:00

JG and I had a late night conversation recently about me being sick and "doing too much". Sometimes JG and others get concerned about me doing so much and me pushing myself too hard. At times doing things when maybe I should be resting or something like that.I will admit there are times, when in my mind I think, geez I would love to just crawl back into bed and sleep for a few more hours. Times

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-27057501603009436472010-11-25T08:36:00.001-07:002010-11-25T08:37:47.766-07:00

More to come soon!

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1701213841182130992010-05-25T21:28:00.007-06:002010-05-25T21:41:17.307-06:00

Forgive me for the number of pics in this post. But these are a few things you don't want to see when you are in the hospital. These are in no particular order but all have happened in the last 2 weeks while I sat in my box.First on the list - SnowNobody wants to see snow in May, especially the last part of May. Luckily JG was already at work when it started, and by the afternoon it had melted

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-88014111115681906552010-05-17T23:39:00.004-06:002010-05-17T23:43:32.978-06:00

So I was lounging in the hospital today taking deep breaths. Ya know all less than 1 liter breaths I can take. And I decided that Judgment is coming. Yep sooner than we all think. It's always that way. And when we are all milling about in heaven, God's gonna be calling out names and doing interviews. And then I have requested that he pass ya'll on to me. Yep, I have some of my own questions for

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-63095623555017083692010-05-12T14:02:00.001-06:002010-05-12T14:04:50.568-06:00

So that's all I've had today, how about ya'll? Yep cranberry juice so far. Can the hospital process be any slower? Here I have sat for 5 hours. I have a room, but for some reason no doctor and no orders yet. JG was right, I should have waited at home and come in during the evening. It seems that nothing gets done on the first day. I could have grown the cranberries and made my own juice by now...

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-38682390778048629312010-02-17T23:08:00.010-07:002010-02-18T16:38:08.848-07:00

Let's just watch the image for a minute... Wait for it... wait for it...Yep sometimes life can sneak up on ya. Just like an ostrich at a wildlife preserve. I recently had a nice stay in the hospital and sadly it was only 4 months since my last one. I realized that life had suddenly caught up to me. Being nearly 35 years old and having only 25% of my lungs. Things caught up real quick. I really

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-51812567992720047222009-11-04T20:16:00.002-07:002009-11-04T20:19:26.112-07:00

Goodbye friend...Your inspiration will be missed by all.

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-17351600593682546992009-10-30T01:00:00.008-06:002009-10-30T01:23:10.186-06:00

So there I was. Minding my own business driving my 40 miles home from work when I realized what I was listening to on my ipod. It was Paramore, a band that is okay, but not great. Suddenly I was struck with a few lyrics that I just had to share:Everybody sing like it's the last song you will ever sing,...Everybody live like it's the last day you will ever see.I know it's not anything new, but

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-24259399861906345302009-10-24T23:34:00.003-06:002009-10-24T23:45:41.802-06:00

How do you say it?If I say it, then it becomes true.Aug 10th. I've seen that look before. Eyes strained. Quick breaths. I've seen that look in the mirror before. I know what it feels like. The feeling that no matter how much you breath it isn't enough. No matter how fast or how deep it doesn't seem like enough. Mostly you sit or lay so that you aren't using any energy. But the eyes, that is

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-42636262858246938562009-06-20T23:13:00.005-06:002009-06-20T23:18:18.040-06:00

Been 5 months since I posted. A lot of craziness has ensued of course. Life in general is like that isn't it. It seem so much a blur. I really wish I had stopped more often and enjoyed the last few months. Work has been crazy. The last 2 releases have been double releases and ahead of schedule. The yard work has been phenomenal, of course our yard looks great and that is always worth it. The

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-4562245706498792292009-01-19T09:01:00.007-07:002009-01-19T21:53:44.124-07:00

So Christmas was especially great. We spent the time in Texas with JG's sister and her 2 kids. Doing things like this (Yes that is my face behind the arm):And looking at things like this:I swear it's not a rug... ;)Sadly starting about New Years things haven't been so easy. Rather than bore you with the long drawn out whiny details I felt like the following song describes the last 3 weeks of my

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-43531917766938019592008-12-10T17:43:00.002-07:002008-12-10T17:47:46.865-07:00

So after 10 days and a few more to look forward to this is how I am feeling. Although to be honest the food isn't as good as the Jack in the Box and that is saying something.The words that have been going through my head all day are from the song by No Doubt:Trapped in a box, four walls as skyGot a screen for a window about two feet wideMy mind rides and slides as my circuits are friedNo room for

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-15203794629745444932008-12-08T00:11:00.003-07:002008-12-08T00:15:03.969-07:00

Well it appears the economic hard times have hit the health care system. I swear every time I come here the pillows get smaller and smaller. The food portions too. The bed is long but skinnier. The red pillow is mine from home. No, its not a king size pillow, just your average target pillow. Next time I come its gonna be an airplane pillow and blanket on a footrest, I'm just sure of it.So far

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-79352583398530933852008-11-16T22:52:00.001-07:002008-11-16T22:54:25.977-07:00

This is just on recipe for getting blood out of clothes. I just used cold water and it came out. Where did the blood come from you ask? So it was new port "Inauguration" day today. Wouldn't you like to have one of these coming right for your chest.Just in case you didn't know when you access a port for the first few times, it is pretty painful, and man does it bleed! We finished the dirty

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-62656520422925994862008-10-20T22:12:00.006-06:002008-10-20T22:21:05.412-06:00

Summer is finally over. I know that sounds terrible, but it will be nice to get to the snow shoveling and know what I am up against.So I haven't posted since the last hospital stay when my port died, and honestly I have been worried about it since then. You just never know what complications your gonna have when you have surgery. Luckily its all done now in the Angio lab with local and drugs. It

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-8474644256930688782008-07-06T22:39:00.005-06:002008-07-06T22:52:36.681-06:00

Ok so I have purposefully been postponing this post. Sorry.The hospital was pretty traumatic this last time and I am just barely able to think about it clearly.So this is a port-a-cath. It's a permanent IV placed under the skin in the chest. My friend Lauren did a flash demo of the port and the port access. It pretty cool, but be aware it shows someone poking a needle into their chest. Port Slide

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-17605529226003902142008-05-08T10:58:00.002-06:002008-05-08T11:00:56.463-06:00

Oh wait, that's where I am, not you. Going back in folks. If you are around the area feel free to drop in.

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-83513602397760327122008-04-29T22:43:00.004-06:002008-04-29T22:51:03.013-06:00

OK folks, here is the stuff you have been waiting for. The completed kitchen. Please ignore the lack of paint in some places, that is my fault. You will notice a lot of stone. Granite counter tops, Travertine floor and back splash and window sill. We love it!!!!This is the beautiful window.This is angle 1.This is angle 2.

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-78612397537057915152008-04-10T23:46:00.004-06:002008-04-11T00:10:09.879-06:00

So there I am in the middle of life. Ya know crazy, running around. And right now its even worse than usual. JG and I are remodeling our kitchen. The house is in shambles. There is dust everywhere. And I was looking at appliances at the local big box. I took my camera so that I could show JG what I had found and get her opinion without her having to go. Her work is extremely busy right now, and I

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-13626071532250999372008-03-15T00:24:00.010-06:002008-03-15T00:46:15.468-06:00

OK so some of the people on the cf messageboard posted 100 things.I thought I would put mine here, seemed like a great blog idea.0. Jack isn't really my name, but it is the name of my dog.1. I am paranoid about Internet anonymity.2. I wrote #43 first in this list, I did the entire list completely in random.3. My wife is my greatest asset against CF.4. I have won awards for poetry.5. CF has killed

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-26481084889030874842007-12-29T21:43:00.001-07:002007-12-29T22:11:21.285-07:00

So I walk into the beatiful new place. Large spacious room, full size sofa, brand new flat screen TV, DVD player, gigantic 6' by 6' picture window facing the smaller of the 2 Utah mountain ranges (although still not so small.)So I think to myself, "Wow this is a nice place.... I hope some of my respiratory therapists(RTs) have come over from the old hospital."Isn't that amazing. When the

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-13174953559778136352007-10-17T00:12:00.000-06:002007-10-17T00:14:36.971-06:00

It's a war out there. Every day a battle for life, for breath. All around me lay fallen warriors. Struggle as they might, they finally fall.Who is the great enemy? Who is it taking innocent lives? How could this continue? Why hasn't anyone done anything? The enemy is Cystic Fibrosis. It rages in a gripping battle inside each of us with CF. It is a cunning foe. Attacking from the inside so as to

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-52550756800394160282007-09-13T15:12:00.001-06:002007-09-13T15:18:23.291-06:00

So last week I found something I had lost. Or I guess the correct way to say it is that I was lost and someone found me. I had been lost for a long time. And just like something lost for a long time, I had nearly forgotten how nice it was to be found and how much I missed it. For someone lost in the struggle with CF it can be a lonely road. We are forbidden to have contact with other CF'ers for

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-42105161302197844052007-09-04T13:32:00.000-06:002007-09-06T13:03:49.169-06:00

Maybe you don't understand what I mean. I have wanted to talk about the spoon theory for some time now. I thought I would post the link to Christine Miserandino's page that has the spoon theory story. I have talked about this kind of thing many times, but her spoon story really helps capture the image that I have been looking for. It means more since JG's sister has Lupus. Check it out, but be

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-6693154707120433282007-08-22T15:05:00.001-06:002007-08-22T15:13:18.775-06:00

So today is a dedication to the one person in my life who keeps me going.No it's not Jennifer Garner... but Jennifer Garner looks just like her. Or pretty close anyway.My wife, JG has been there for me through it all. Thick and thin. Sometimes pretty thin. When her husband is so sick that she puts in a yard all by herself in the new house. And when he thinks he is going to die from a bad viral

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-32970856340326381102007-08-16T22:44:00.000-06:002007-08-16T22:50:21.064-06:00

So Since all my little bit of college is in Psychology, I find these things fascinating. This one has me right on. Not to mention quite a compliment for JG for staying with me so long. We celebrate 10 years of marriage in 1 week.My parents tell me that the CF has made me a thinker. I had to use my brain more since my body didn't work as well. It would definitely seem that way. My work and other

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-80980257887025555782007-07-29T09:47:00.001-06:002007-07-29T09:48:11.415-06:00

So, been a month and a half now of craziness.Let me explain... no, too much, let me sum up (name that movie.)Lots of family visiting. Big party in our, "completely not ready" backyard. Very tired need a break.So I got one. And now I am back.Also I noticed I started my blog about 1 year ago. I remember this because I remember writing Slowly Slowing Down which detailed one of my favorite pastimes

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-80350361691862727612007-06-04T16:55:00.000-06:002007-06-05T14:59:25.218-06:00

I know you call it an iPod... I call it iPodSaver.The only thing that let's me sleep in the hospital (during the day that is).My great doctor wrote for "nothing between midnight and 6" which keeps me at nearly 6 hours of sleep a day, but then when you need a nap and the machines around you are beeping and people keep walking in "looking for something..." the ipod keeps you sane. Turn it up loud

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-42651714084071677772007-05-29T22:35:00.000-06:002007-05-29T23:06:37.973-06:00

So some of the blogs I read are now doing Self-Portrait Tuesdays. So in honor of that, and my first day in the hospital I am posting a self-portrait. Isn't it a startling resemblance. My arm band broke off as I was adjusting it, so I decided it was a good SPT. Then they brought me a new one.Took me an hour to get a room. For me that is long, they usually have my room ready. I guess it was

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-65836703455688805712007-05-20T00:18:00.000-06:002007-05-20T22:18:58.492-06:00

So I wanted to do something for my birthday, originally it was going to be 32 items to tell whether or not you have CF. Ya know to match my birthday, but I thought and found a bunch more than 32. So here is the entire list.32 ways to know if you have CF (maybe more)You do a happy dance when you hack up a huge wad of mucus, show your dad and he gives you a congratulatory high five, show your

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-54597715418357926912007-04-20T10:36:00.000-06:002007-04-20T10:48:13.844-06:00

Moving... ugh!Well it is almost complete. We have packed up our life... thrown a bunch away, and moved it to a new location. It all started on a magical morning when my wife called and said, "I think it's time to talk to a Realtor". Since that statement we have been on a stressful ride. We found a place we loved. Not sure why we loved it, but it was the right place. I felt it then and I still

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1038029675439950072007-03-22T09:33:00.000-06:002007-03-23T00:02:13.047-06:00

Well, we had a great time in Texas with the family. Brought back some unexpected items. But all in all it was a great trip.This is basically what we did each day:1- Get up late... you know I love this. Also awakening to my cute little 3 yo niece singing in the next room... not much better than that.2- Go somewhere cool.3- Do something fun.4- Eat good food.5- Relax for the afternoon.6- Eat good

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-59306693239473581802007-03-15T08:33:00.000-06:002007-03-15T08:41:50.613-06:00

Ok, I'm sorry the title is a bit misleading. What I meant was a taste of the CF life.Lauren, a 27 year old woman with CF writes a wonderful blog that I read frequently. She recently spoke at the CF Foundation spring Gala, her talk is a true look at life with CF. You can go read it here.Also, you should support her Great Strides team, here.Lauren and I became friends when I started blogging and

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-13636480080057807822007-02-14T16:34:00.001-07:002007-02-19T23:32:47.833-07:00

So yesterday was the day. The 1 year since my last admission to the hospital. Amazing isn't it. A man of 31 with severe CF that can go 1 year without hospitalization.So the big question, why?Why do I continue to live while all those around me, even those closest to me, have to die (or is it "Get to die?" That is a question for later). We have the same disease. Why am I different. Is it not enough

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-19604973382046633012007-02-14T13:54:00.000-07:002007-02-14T16:35:25.823-07:00

So this is just a post to toast the greatest person in my life. The person that has had the most influence for good. Always pushing me to be the best, and do the right things.She has been the lone support that I have needed, and her love and life sustain me when nothing else can.Happy V-Day!

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-73837932273760641592007-02-12T00:20:00.000-07:002007-02-10T11:20:52.374-07:00

As you can imagine with my sisters death my mother was very upset. And basically told the CF clinic that until they had something worthwhile to treat CF she would do it at home and they would never be allowed to admit me or treat me again.She found a local pulmonologist who was one of the best in the nation at the time. Who was not associated with the clinic, and my cousin and I began to see him.

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1169837367419751832007-01-26T11:45:00.000-07:002007-02-08T16:08:52.056-07:00

It is only the 3rd time it has happened since I was 12 yrs old. All three times have been in the last 9 years (since I was married, and this has a lot to do with it). I am hoping to have a first anniversary of something better next year this time. This anniversary makes me think of a few things very deeply. So I am going to have a multi-post story running for a little bit. Hopefully it won't be

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1165363928826927212006-12-05T16:59:00.000-07:002006-12-05T17:35:47.836-07:00

So, as you can see it's been quite a while since I have been here. Work is getting busy and so is life. It goes up and down. Unfortunately this is one of those down times. Not sick, actually as far as CF goes I am probably better than I have been for a long time. But life continues to crash in on us. Things go wrong, expectations are not met. Friends forget things they shouldn't, and family that

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1157605676540391662006-09-06T22:37:00.000-06:002006-09-08T06:17:40.490-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posting, we've been out of town for a couple of weekends. But I wrote some updates on paper and should be able to get them up this weekend. Watch for Playing Dad and the Spoon Theory coming soon to this blog.So for more than 9 years now I have been married to Jennifer Garner. Ok so not really Jennifer Garner, but if you want to know what my wife looks like it is definitely

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1156973531825675812006-08-30T15:24:00.000-06:002006-12-07T16:09:50.876-07:00

--- This is an old draft that I thought I would post anyway.Fact! 97% of men with CF have infertility. Essentially it is caused by congenital absence of the vas deferens. The boys are there, they are just stuck there... no exit tunnel.JG and I have decided that at this point we probably won't be having any children. Now before you go all crazy on me about adoption, etc, please realize that this

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1156213803828442662006-08-21T20:22:00.000-06:002006-08-21T20:40:18.786-06:00

Yes it is definitely an attention getter when a 30+ yo male is wearing a bracelet.This is essentially what I put on my bracelet (with the names changed to protect the innocent.)I have started wearing it. It freaked my wife out a little. She wanted to make sure I wasn't having premonitions of car accidents or anything like that. I told her no. Since I am not. But I think it hit her panic button a

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1155298128800849762006-08-11T06:08:00.000-06:002006-08-18T22:04:10.573-06:00

So, my wife and I are trying to decide where to go on our big vacation. Originally we had a cruise scheduled. But it looks like it will land on some bad timing for my work so we have started looking at other locations. We are looking at Fiji, Tahiti, and Hawaii, and also Washington DC. I know it seems like a strange list, but we love DC and the east coast. But I think we will end up on some small

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1155144546554852182006-08-09T11:26:00.000-06:002006-08-09T11:37:13.846-06:00

So yesterday I was waterskiing and I made a hard decision. I probably won't be doing waterskiing much anymore. This is not the first time that I have limited myself, on a particular activity, but this one is particularly hard. See I have been skiing since I was very little, 7 or so. I love the water and the lakes.A little background on my current skiing situation...So about 2 years ago I was

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1154985532519338372006-08-07T15:13:00.000-06:002006-08-07T18:45:38.593-06:00

So, I am putting my first post up. Lately I have been listening to Maroon 5. A fantastically talented group that first got played by some DJ's here where I live. They have a great theme song for CF, here is the lyrics to "Harder to Breathe".You can check out a 30 sec clip on iTunes store if you have iTunes installed.--How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptableSo condescending unnecessarily

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32313586.post-1154931971855799702006-08-07T00:24:00.000-06:002006-08-07T00:26:11.856-06:00

It's not my real name, but it is my real life.

Jack Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05991494468434956266noreply@blogger.com1