Sharsti’s Blog

Well, I’ve been on a goal to lose over 100 lbs…I’ve lost 40 so far. Anyways, it’s a little hard when you are sick. Between being on metformin that made me sick and now a cold/flu/or something like that, I’m just worn out. I want so bad to be doing my Turbo Fire, but I keep being told that it’ll only make me feel sicker so I gotta wait til I’m better. When will this end? I want to be doing what I WANT to do….not what my body tells me I have to do. Body, you suck….I’m only trying to help US out. Oh well…soon I’ll be over this and then it’s back to working out and losing the rest of this weight. I will be healthy for me and my family.

So, most people that actually read this know that my initial reason for wanting to start a blog was to talk about Cystic Fibrosis and how it affects our lives. I haven’t been very good at doing this, but in light of recent events, I’m going to take the time to write a blog post specifically about CF.

In the last couple of years we were introduced to the Mauli Ola Foundation, a foundation that is extremely close to my heart. I know there is The Esaison Foundation and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that are geared towards CF, but The Mauli Ola Foundation is simply one of those foundations you can tell full heartedly is selfless and there for our CF Community nationwide. They take children and their families with CF surfing. Why surfing? Well, it’s been proven that the saline content in the ocean is beneficial in helping to loosen the mucus in CF sufferers lungs. Way to go Mauli Ola!!! We’ve become very close with the founders and participants and refer to them as our Ohana. When Erik’s health declined, they were who I reached out to for support. Why you may say? Because these people understand the disease. They’ve experienced the loss of CF and the amazing steps towards eventually finding a cure. Our children can call people like Charles & James Dunlop of Ambry Genetics, Kala Alexander, Buttons Kaluhiokalani, Gavin Beschen, Sunny Garcia, Kealii Mamala, Makua Rothman, Kalani Robb, and Kelly Slater (all professional surfers)….Uncle. The members of MOF are amazing and so selfless. They remember us and send out thoughts and prayers when we are having a tough time in our CF lives. I personally can not say enough about these men and women.

The last couple of months have been rough on us as a family. Erik had a PORT-a-cath placed 2 years ago and recently his Port has caused him immense pain whenever it was used. Eventually, the doctors decided it was time to remove it and place a new one. Now, for those of you not familiar with CF, any time a person with CF is sedated and put on a breathing tube there is a HUGE chance they may not ever get off the tube. Why? Well, their lungs are so stressed and overworked from the disease that with the literal breath of relief they get from the tube they may not want to start doing their job on their own. So, when Erik had to be sedated for his PORT removal and placement I requested a bronchoscopy. The reason behind this request is to avoid having to sedate him again at a later time and to culture/clean out his lungs. Thankfully this time his lungs looked A LOT better than they have in the past. Erik came out of sedation and the tube was removed. He had some O2 deceleration and was admitted overnight for observation. After dealing with CF his whole life, I have a very hard time every time he is put under for anything and worry, worry, worry. Thankfully, with all the thoughts and prayers from our Ohana and Friends we made it through this trial in our lives. It wasn’t the first, and we know it won’t be the last. All I know is I wish there were more people out there that were aware of the trials and tribulation on the CF patients and their families. People need to be grateful for the good things in their lives and not judge everyone else. I’m stressed, and I know people think there is no reason I should be stressed, but walk a mile in my shoes….experience my life and then tell me that I’m wrong for being stressed. I have an amazing support system that I didn’t have before and I couldn’t do what I do without all of you (you know who you are). Thank you and keep doing what you’re doing. Someday we WILL make CF stand for CURE FOUND!!!

Well, I know it’s been a while, but sometimes life happens. I was recently diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and have been trying to treat that. Marquez is almost 2 and went out surfing for the first time on May 27th. All 3 boys are enjoying the surf days and look forward to each new one. Right now, we are just taking each day as it comes and enjoying each other and the things we have available to us here in Hawaii.

Yes, I know it’s late and he turned a year old 2 weeks ago, but my baby is officially a year old. He’s pretty much running around the house and wearing mami out. I never expected this year to go by so fast. Daddy made it home just in time for his first birthday and although we had planned a BBQ with friends, that all changed and we had BBQ by ourselves. Marquez’s cake was PERFECT! I ordered a Disney Cars cupcake cake that was shaped like a one and it very much exceeded my expectations. All in all, it was a perfect day for my lil man. It was his first birthday that we upgraded him from crib bedding to toddler bedding. Yes, he still has the crib, but now he has all the nifty big boy stuff in Cars. He seems very excited to sleep in it and even hugs his stuffed Lightning McQueen close.

We’re coming up on almost a year since Marquez was born and I haven’t had much time to update my site. Anyways, a lot has gone on. Erik spent 3 weeks in the hospital. That was fun in itself. Marquez has gotten big. He took his first step yesterday. I’m going to try and upload the video. Alex decided he wants a fauxhawk and Erik likes his hair longer. Marquez’s hair curls like a lil duck’s tail. Me…well, I’m hanging in there. Ivan got me an iPad and I LOVE it!!!! I’m back to working out and am doing pretty good with it. I’m hoping to be able to wear a bikini sometime in the near future. Erik and Alex went surfing again with the Mauli Ola foundation and Erik was even surfing by himself. Erik is gaining weight again…FINALLY. Alex has taken up skateboarding. I’m a lil nervous bout that one. LOL Marquez really loves Disney Cars and Lightning McQueen. It’s hard to think that almost a year has gone by since I gave birth to him. During this year we almost lost Amil. She was REALLY sick and ended up having an emergency spay done. She’s back to herself and we’re loving it. I have a new niece and my sister-in-law is expecting a girl in November also. Really there just isn’t much going on. We live life, to the fullest we hope, and have learned to cling to each other.

Ok, so it’s been a while, but it’s cause I lost my login page. Whoops. Anyways, last I wrote I was still pregnant. Hahahahaha Well August 13, 2009 at 5:36 pm I gave birth to 6 lbs 5.4 oz Marquez Antonio. He is now 4 months old and the best baby ever. Ivan deployed when he was just under 3 weeks old. Erik and Alex have taken up surfing and even surfed with Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia, and Gavin Beschen. As I type, I should really be moving all my furniture out to the garage so housing can fix my floors on Tuesday. Trust me…I’m not happy about that, but oh well. Anyways, off to do that just a quick post to let ya’ll know I hadn’t forgotten my page.

All 3 boys on Marquez' birthday

Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia, Alex & Erik.

Ohhhh Hi there.

Well, you think things would be easier on mommy with school out and two older kids to help more around the house. Yeah right. These two lil monsters seem to think that cause mommy can’t move as fast as she used to that they can get away with everything. NOT so much. Anyways, yesterday I took them grocery shopping with me. Half way through the commissary I started not feeling good. My body was heavy, I was sweating, and I was getting dizzy. I had to stop shopping and go sit down to take my blood glucose, oh yeah….I have gestational diabetes..yay me. Well, my sugar was just fine so I sat for a bit longer and then went back to shopping. We made it to the check out before I started feeling crappy again. This time we made it out to the car where the bagger loaded the groceries and I proceeded to throw up in the parking lot. Ivan says I was dehydrated, L&D says I have some sort of bug. Either way, I came home and laid down for the rest of the day. This morning I woke up still not feeling good, so I stayed in bed til this afternoon. I thought the boys were helping me out…but turns out they are only partially listening. Erik had the balls to actually tell me to hold on he was doing something. Ummm yeah right. I’m mommy lil man you better come to me when I say come. So now he’s doing his breathing treatments and yet again getting out of cleaning his room….for the time being. Alex is talking up a storm, and Marquez is beating me up….and down. I’m exhausted, stressed, and my sugar is high…yay me. On a good note however, we are 27 weeks and 4 days into our pregnancy and Marquez is still inside my belly.

So, yesterday the 23 of May, we were 25 weeks into our pregnancy. We decided to get a 3d/4d ultrasound done, and boy am I happy we did. It was the most amazing thing ever. Just to see what he looks like was crazy. He looks like Erik to me, but I’m biased. My neighbor says the only thing he got from me is the position he’s in. Feet all the way up to his ears. This lil boy is folding in half and currently is breach. I’m hoping he flips around soon and stays there. Anyways…gonna upload some pictures. He threw up the Shaka and “Live Long and Prosper”…..none of us are Trekkies. LOL

Ok, so here’s recent pics. I’m 21 weeks 1 day in the pic and LOOK, it’s a boy!!!

21 weeks 1 day

Ok, so I know it’s been a long while since I last wrote. I’ve been busy. LOL Ok not really, I’ve just been VERY pregnant. LOL We are officially 21 weeks 2 days into this pregnancy and Marquez is doing gymnastics in my belly. So far all tests have come back and he’s healthy as a horse. Thank God. I’m doing pretty good too. I’m no officially having morning sickness….isn’t that supposed to stop after the first trimester. LOL BTW, I never had morning sickness in the first trimester. We have his crib set up, the car seat is in the car and ready to go, and he’s got plenty of newborn clothing. After losing 17 lbs, I’ve finally gained back 6 lbs. Not bad if you ask me. I’m trying to keep the weight gain within the recommended 15-25 lbs. Erik and Alex are excited to be having a baby brother. Thanks to SSG Kennedy, Marquez is fully outfitted. He even has some Airforce Ones. My lil man is gonna be spoiled. LOL