When you find a good friend, hold them tight and never, ever let them go <3
So loved. So missed.
pursuitofhappynessss:
I will never be able to thank you for the all the things you’ve taught me, and all the good times we’ve shared. You’ve touched my life and many, many others, and I will forever be changed by the person you were to me. I love you and not a day goes by where I don’t think of you or some funny time we’ve shared.
So to end this on a funny story, I’ve been going to the Valley a lot recently and I try to take the back ways there, like you would ( and incidentally ran into the place were me you and geno got in trouble) and ray opened my sunroof and I proceeded to tell him how dangerous that is on a ride.
Me and Cheri went to Morgan run yesterday and climbed to the highest rock where we’ve each sat with you many times and left you a birthday present.
I love you and miss you more then you know
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month is almost over, and so is Ashley’s Army <3 ’12 - I share all of my ups with everyone, so I might as well share my downs too. The past 48 hours have been absolute torture - mentally, emotionally, and physically. Why am I sharing this? So you know exactly what you’re helping me fight. So you realize, it’s not always wins. There are losses too. And so that you may always remember to count your Blessings over your problems.
After a night of severe chest pain, and not being able to breathe, I finally gave in and called Hopkins yesterday. Mid-phone call, as I was holding my chest, I literally felt the left side of my chest, cave in beneath my fingers. By far, the scariest moment of my life. Thankfully, my amazing best friend was able to get to me, keep me calm, and ride in the ambulance with me.
After nine frustrating hours of no answers, no relief, and teetering faith – they ruled out bleeding in the lungs, full lung collapse and another pulmonary embolism (phew), which were the three main, life threatening concerns. So today, after more tests, and more frustration, my diagnosis came. My plan is (in addition to all of my regular meds) 10 days on prednisone, three new antibiotics, and pain meds at home – and to come back to re-eval the area of collapse. But, if the pain doesn’t subside by Sunday, I have to get admitted.
My personal goal of regaining lung function of 70% was temporarily defeated today. My lung function has dropped to an all time low…36%. I’m terrified of a transplant, but I’m confident that with my faith, family and friends, I will get better. Prayers, and kind words are always welcome, and needed. I’m pretty scared, upset, and definitely tired…but I’ve learned that, “When life says give up, hope whispers, try one more time!” So to CF, I can promise you right now; I’m not anywhere near giving up. This only motivates me to fight harder. I’ll take the good with the bad. And I will always, always, count my Blessings > problems. A fellow CF’er, 55 years old, just successfully received his double lung transplant…his admirable saying is…”You can not fail” ♥
So I leave you with this - Life is undeniably short. Pain and loss are inevitable. Bad things happen all the time. This is life. It’s unpredictable, and sometimes, the cards don’t pan out in our favor. But if all you ever look for, is the negative. Then that’s all you’ll ever see. So open your eyes, take time to appreciate the little things, say thank you for the things that you have, and stop asking for the things that you don’t. Hug your loved ones often, smile, and seriously…take time to ‘just breathe’ ♥ Love always, Ashley
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
After a night of severe chest pain, and not being able to breathe, I finally gave in and called Hopkins yesterday. Mid-phone call, as I was holding my chest, I literally felt the left side of my chest, cave in beneath my fingers. By far, the scariest moment of my life. Thankfully, my amazing best friend was able to get to me, keep me calm, and ride in the ambulance with me.
After nine frustrating hours of no answers, no relief, and teetering faith – they ruled out bleeding in the lungs, full lung collapse and another pulmonary embolism (phew), which were the three main, life threatening concerns. So today, after more tests, and more frustration, my diagnosis came. My plan is (in addition to all of my regular meds) 10 days on prednisone, three new antibiotics, and pain meds at home – and to come back to re-eval the area of collapse. But, if the pain doesn’t subside by Sunday, I have to get admitted.
My personal goal of regaining lung function of 70% was temporarily defeated today. My lung function has dropped to an all time low…36%. I’m terrified of a transplant, but I’m confident that with my faith, family and friends, I will get better. Prayers, and kind words are always welcome, and needed. I’m pretty scared, upset, and definitely tired…but I’ve learned that, “When life says give up, hope whispers, try one more time!” So to CF, I can promise you right now; I’m not anywhere near giving up. This only motivates me to fight harder. I’ll take the good with the bad. And I will always, always, count my Blessings > problems. A fellow CF’er, 55 years old, just successfully received his double lung transplant…his admirable saying is…”You can not fail” ♥
So I leave you with this - Life is undeniably short. Pain and loss are inevitable. Bad things happen all the time. This is life. It’s unpredictable, and sometimes, the cards don’t pan out in our favor. But if all you ever look for, is the negative. Then that’s all you’ll ever see. So open your eyes, take time to appreciate the little things, say thank you for the things that you have, and stop asking for the things that you don’t. Hug your loved ones often, smile, and seriously…take time to ‘just breathe’ ♥ Love always, Ashley
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain” ♥ I couldn’t ask for a better dance partner. You’re my hero, and my best friend. Thanks for -patiently- pushing me every day, and reminding me that I will beat this. I love you.
(Sneak peek at the photo shoot for the National CFF Calendar I was asked to be in. This one’s my favorite. I’m so excited!) All of this hard work is paying off!! Ashley’s Army is only about $1,000 away from our $15,000 goal - INCREDIBLE!…AND my lung function goal seems to be going up despite the infections I’m fighting, and the doctors negativity. Impossible, is not a word. So, so, so blessed! Life is good today!
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
(Sneak peek at the photo shoot for the National CFF Calendar I was asked to be in. This one’s my favorite. I’m so excited!) All of this hard work is paying off!! Ashley’s Army is only about $1,000 away from our $15,000 goal - INCREDIBLE!…AND my lung function goal seems to be going up despite the infections I’m fighting, and the doctors negativity. Impossible, is not a word. So, so, so blessed! Life is good today!
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
![http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcottYesterday started National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month ♥ If you didn’t already know, 22 years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness called Cystic Fibrosis, or CF. Every day since then, I have struggled to breathe, stay strong, and surpass my life expectancy of 13. Advances in medicine have reached an all time high, and thanks to your support - in just a few months, I am blessed to say, I will turn 23!!! So this month, is my final push towards reaching my $15,000 goal! My fight is getting harder, and harder every day. But, every day I am here - is one day closer to a cure! So today, I finally joined the gym! My deteriorating lung function has scared me so much, that no amount of gummis could keep me from going. [If you know me, you know how serious I am about my gummis] ;) Unfortunately my medicines aren’t working, but between my faith, determination, the help of my friends and family - I will continue to get stronger, and with your help, one day soon, CF will stand for Cure Found ♥ I want to thank you all once again for the endless support! It honestly means the world to me ♥ Oh, and one more thing, if you’re tired of hearing about CF, well guess what, I’m tired of having it - so please delete me. Happy Awareness Month to all of my Cysters and Fibros: Stay Strong! ♥♥♥ http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott <- to watch my story, and donate if you’re able : ) BLESSINGS > problems y’all](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3gh4xmieo1r08x9xo1_1280.png)
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
Yesterday started National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month ♥ If you didn’t already know, 22 years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness called Cystic Fibrosis, or CF. Every day since then, I have struggled to breathe, stay strong, and surpass my life expectancy of 13. Advances in medicine have reached an all time high, and thanks to your support - in just a few months, I am blessed to say, I will turn 23!!! So this month, is my final push towards reaching my $15,000 goal! My fight is getting harder, and harder every day. But, every day I am here - is one day closer to a cure!
So today, I finally joined the gym! My deteriorating lung function has scared me so much, that no amount of gummis could keep me from going. [If you know me, you know how serious I am about my gummis] ;) Unfortunately my medicines aren’t working, but between my faith, determination, the help of my friends and family - I will continue to get stronger, and with your help, one day soon, CF will stand for Cure Found ♥ I want to thank you all once again for the endless support! It honestly means the world to me ♥
Oh, and one more thing, if you’re tired of hearing about CF, well guess what, I’m tired of having it - so please delete me. Happy Awareness Month to all of my Cysters and Fibros: Stay Strong! ♥♥♥
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott <- to watch my story, and donate if you’re able : )
BLESSINGS > problems y’all
And in that moment, I swear, we were infinite <3<3<3
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
If I ever had to pick out an “Angel on Earth”, my mind wouldn’t have to think for more then a second. Tyler. Tyler Allen Brown. My best friend. Boyfriend. Other half. Everything. The reason I fight as hard as I fight. The reason I know everything is going to be okay. The one who holds my hand, wipes my tears, pushes me do do all of my medicines, and treatments. The one who wakes up at 5:00am to give me injections. The one who never shows his fear in front of me, and never lets my fear surface. He’s definitely my saving grace.
We were riding home from my Moms house on Easter, the tops off in the jeep, his black lab in between us, the sun was setting, it was absolutely perfect. Out of no where he held my hand and started talking…
“You’ve waited so patiently for so long. I know a cure is coming baby, I know it. You better know it too. You’re the strongest, most determined person I know. It’s coming, in your lifetime, and you’re not going anywhere. I’m going to marry you pretty girl. And we’re going to beat this, together” <3
BFF screen shots everything :)This girl. Really. Bff
It really is a “Good Friday”.<3 Tonight at The Grill at Harryman House, Brian Ford, Greg and Johnny K. will be playing for a cure! Proceeds from tonight will go towards the $15,000 goal Ashley’s Army <3 has set. I am so happy and blessed to say that in one month we have raised $4,000!!! Donations range from $3-$250. Every penny counts!
So tonight, we raise our glasses for the cure - for my friends that have lost their battle, Kelsey, Cody and Mandy<3 and for everyone still fighting. Tonight, I’m celebrating the life I was given. No matter the obstacles, or challenges, I am grateful for every breath.
I can’t wait to see everyone tonight, and even thought I can’t drink,
I know my friends can ;)
Now let’s make CF stand for CURE FOUND.
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
Life is good today <3
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleySilcott
When you are complaining about how tough your life is;
stop and remember those that would give anything to have it.
To eat without taking medicines.
To run, laugh, kiss, sing - without gasping for air.
To breathe easily, like you.
To be here another day.
Remember those that spend their “spending money”
on medicines, treatments, tubes, and injections.
Life is very, very short.
and too often taken for granted.
Count your Blessings, NOT your problems.
<3 Smashs Fight - A Journey to BREATHE
smashs journey - on video <3
To all of my tumblr friends that have been following my journey.
Here is a short 12 minute video of my struggle, and triumph over the past year in fighting a terminal illness
Ashley’s Army <3 2012 starts today!!
Between now, and May 17th - I invite you to join me in my fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Many of you have been following my journey these past few months. You have been with me through the good times and the bad. You have held my hand, and wiped my tears. You have lifted me up with prayers and words of encouragement, and more love then I have ever felt.
This past year has been my toughest battle with CF so far. But every day that I am here, is one day closer to a cure. Last night I learned that we are only about 3-4 years away from curing the defective gene. I’ve fought for 22 years, and with your help, we will continue to make these great strides. When I was born, 1 in 10 people knew what CF was. Today, 1 in 4 people do. When I was born, the average life expectancy was 7. Today, the average life expectancy is 35. Today, I’m blessed to say, I’m 22.
My friends and family have helped document my journey over the past year, and today, I’m inviting you in to my world. Just 12 minutes is all I ask. 12 minutes to change, and save someones life. In 3-4 years, you will be able to say you were part of something so big.
** ** - Here is the link to donate to my army (click between the stars)
(but please don’t click “join my team” on that site)
Any and every penny counts.
Thank you for your love, generosity, support and prayers. I hope you enjoy my story and please, please feel free to hit share ♥ Ashley Silcott
