Why I Don't Take Breathing For Granted

There’s an art that exists within every one of us. It creates depth, mood and meaning. It paints the existence of life. It’s the art of breathing.

The past week has left me short of breath, words and understanding but with a wealth of tears and the love and support of so many people. I couldn’t begin to navigate this difficult time or the difficult decisions ahead without so much love and support. I’ve been cared for so greatly by so many. For each of you, the depth of my gratitude is so very deep and endless.

In the last week, cystic fibrosis has confronted me with some painstakingly harsh realities — realities I wasn’t prepared to deal with nor do I honestly want to deal with. I want to go home to my life: to teaching, to grad school, to my students, to my “boys,” to singing and to planning a future with no limitations. I want to go home to the life where I run from sun up to sun down, knowing no moment was wasted. I want to naively think of CF as something I control mentally and can merely outrun with my will and adrenaline. This past week has shown me a different course of life and the realities I must face sooner rather than later — conversations I’ve only abstractly thought through, lung function numbers I’ve only imagined were possible and a body that’s betraying every dream for the future I’ve made.

The problem with CF? It doesn’t play fair, it doesn’t make deals and it doesn’t care about the life you want or have. It’s an ugly disease that hurts a lot of people in its wake. A disease I’ve tried to protect so many people from, to protect myself from. A week ago, I was forced to come to terms with what I’d suspected was happening to my body — it was betraying me and quickly. For those of you who know me, I’m all about making deals with CF, constantly trying to hold it at arms reach while I live my life built upon adrenaline. Finally, I had no choice but to succumb to what was happening.

Something wasn’t right and I knew it. I knew there was no out-willing what was happening this time. So, with my pride tucked away and fresh tears ready to be shed, I approached what lay ahead of me. The problem is, my mind is still running at 150 mph, but my body is running at 25 mph. My mind and body are not communicating. I’m filled with so many questions of disbelief. I haven’t had time to mentally adjust to the devastation CF has caused. Today when I look in the mirror or walk across the room, my mind doesn’t recognize its own body. Who is this person? It can’t possibly be me. How can I not catch my breath? How can I possibly need oxygen? How can I only walk a couple of minutes and be forced to stop because my oxygen drops to an unsafe level? My mind and soul don’t understand how this simply can be. Will it ever understand? I don’t think so.

In the last week I’ve shed a lot of tears, to the point of hysteria at times. I’ve always been relatively good at keeping my emotions in check and being strong, but this week has proven to be stronger than I. The emails and words I’ve had to write this week were composed of some of my worst fears and disappointments. I feel I’ve let myself down, but most of all, let everyone else down. I’m being forced to look at the future. I’m faced with making difficult decisions that could have a huge impact on the definition of what has always been my life: forcing me to reevaluate life and mourn the life I so truly want. How do I prepare my heart and mind for this? How do I keep from shedding endless tears? I know whatever happens and whatever my future may look like, the art of every breath I take is utterly beautiful. There’s beauty in whatever life has to give me. I must cling to every beautiful moment I’m given and bathe in its greatness, regardless of what that looks like.

I’m so incredibly thankful for each of you, for your words of encouragement, messages, your prayers, your positive thoughts, surprise packages, and your unyielding strength through it all.  You all are so very amazing. My life is filled with so much good. All my love to each of you.

Breathe out the beautiful art that makes up your life.

This post originally appeared on Breath Bravely.

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