Thursday, March 10, 2011

I did it!!

Hello All,

On March 4th, 2011, I celebrated my 38th birthday! For the first time in my lifetime I officially surpassed the median Age of survival for a person with Cystic Fibrosis, which currently stands at 37.4 in the US. I obviously would not have done this without the support of multitudes of people. Family, friends, doctors, researchers, nurses, therapists, strangers, Surgeons, and of course 2 Donors and their families! It is overwhelming to think about the web of life that is weaved into my existence. Like a snowflake, an infinite number of possibilities created. But to me, I have always lived my life beating to a drum that has kept me on a clear path. A higher power, beyond what I can comprehend, beating at the right frequency.

There are still plenty of children who never live to be adolescents or adults. Many Adults who perish right when their life is at its cusp! But real progress is being made. The median age is also skewed a bit because of the multitudes of benign or less severe mutations being discovered on the defective chromosome. Some of these people are not even diagnosed until their 40's or 50's. So, it is important that we don't get too excited by the number of 37, or when it jumps to 38 or 39, which it probably will shortly do. We need to focus on the children and the medications and research being developed to prolong their lives.

I am going to keep this post short for now, so everyone can relish in the beauty of the number 38!

-Mitch

(Hours before my transplant July 2010)

(A few months after my Transplant-October-2010)

8 comments:

joan said...

Hi Mitch - congrats on beating the average. Hope your courage and message helps many more people with CF outlive all the averages. blessings and love, joan. oxoxoxo

Stacey said...

I'm still trying to figure out the math to determine when my actual 37.4 birthday is... I want to have a HUGE party! Happy 38 Mitch! You deserve the best!

Jean said...

YAY! So happy for your 38 years !! Jean

Lynn said...

Mitch,
Love the photo with Luke. You are an inspiration. Simon and Matias must be really enjoying your being involved in all their activities again. Happy 38! Love, Lynn

Anonymous said...

Mitch, It was wonderful to celebrate your 38th Bday. You are in inspiration and driving force for all who know you. Hopefully, within the next few years, we can change the lives of all children with CF. And yes, you do march to a different drum but we love the drum beat! Love mom

Unknown said...

Mitch, you don't know me but I work with your mom at the CF Foundation. I'm so happy for you and wish you many more!

Cosmetic surgery Atlanta said...

Great to know that you have made it.After all the better medical help is all for curing patients like you.I am so glad to hear such news from you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Mitch...I stalk your blog from time to time just to see how your are getting along and for a bit of inspiration.
Thanks for sharing!
Charlene Emmons UF OT :-)