@timothybransford
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic What do you find is the reason behind most of your hospital stays? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 week, 6 days ago
Hemoptysis. Brought on by a lung infection that just won’t die with oral antibiotics. Usually, the hemoptysis is of a magnatude that I can’t put it off any longer. At that point I’m told to go the ER and get inprocessed so they can monitor and, ultimately, insert a PIIC line for IV antibiotics. It is usually a 4 day stay in the hospi…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Does getting older scare or delight you? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 2 months, 4 weeks ago
I’m quite sure I will never retire in the classic sense. I have always needed a mission to be happy and fulfilled. Fortunately, the need in our world is great and opportunities abound for someone who is willing to lend a hand. The main difference is I won’t need to be paid for my labor. My new mission will truly become a labor of love. …[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic End of year reflection in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 3 months ago
So much to be thankful for. Just a few highlights:
In January, my beautiful mother passed. After 95 years of vibrant life, I was by her bedside and was privileged to hold her hand as she slipped peacefully away. During those moments, I felt her warm hand once again on my chest, calming my panic, and when she was finally gone her calmness re…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Does getting older scare or delight you? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 3 months ago
There was a time when I believed I would not see another day. I was wonderfully wrong.
So each night before I go to sleep, I offer a prayer of thanks for the gift of another day. I believe that maintaining a grateful heart is critical to living a positive life.
Regardless of the uncertainties, I am ecstatic to grow older.
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic A quick COVID check in in the forum Coronavirus (COVID-19) and CF 3 months ago
Jenny, I know this response is a bit late but I thought it might be interesting to discuss how we are navigating the whole Covid world now. This is my experience.
I wear a mask whenever I feel the need. I feel the need in the grocery store. I feel the need in the movie theatre. I feel the need in the restaurant (although that one…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Dealing with Feelings of Survivor's Guilt? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 5 months, 1 week ago
Laura Lee,
I can so relate to your feelings. I was diagnosed with CF in my mid-30s. While my initial experience with CF was frightening and life-threatening, I survived that initial crisis. Yes, I had to change my lifestyle with the CF diagnosis, and I have had brushes with lung infections and hemoptysis over the years but, aside from that, I’ve…[Read more] -
Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Aging and CF in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 6 months ago
Growing up, I was “the sickly child”. I was the youngest son packaged between 2 older sisters and 2 younger sisters. I was always experiencing some sort of fever, cold, sniffle, flu, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia…we did not know it was CF. Through it all I soldiered on. I played the trumpet in high school. I excelled in football, basketball…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Aging and CF in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 6 months, 1 week ago
At age 34, I was diagnosed with CF. For the previous 12 months I had fought a losing battle against lung infections that left me emaciated, struggling with fevers and experiencing repeated and severe hemoptysis. Up to this point, I had seemed like a relatively healthy person. So, I was shocked to learn the CF diagnosis and asked the doctors wh…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Hemopytsis, hormones, and life in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 9 months, 1 week ago
Luisa. You sound like a younger me because, if not for hemoptysis, I would hardly know I have cystic fibrosis. Do I have PTSD as a result of the many episode of hemoptysis I’ve experienced over the years? Probably, yes.
I do my best to prevent CF from dominating my world. It mostly hovers like a malevolent shadow, a lingering cloud in my sun…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Patients denied transplantation because not covid vaccinated in the forum Coronavirus (COVID-19) and CF 1 year, 1 month ago
As I see it, this entire discussion reduces down to personal responsibility for the choices we make. If you fear a vaccine more than you fear being rejected for organ transplant that is your choice. And the consequences of your choice are your responsibility. The shortage of organs from doners when compared to the demand by dying people ma…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Biopic of Your Life: Who Would YOU Be? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 7 months ago
Peter Sellers as “Chance the Gardener” directed by Hal Ashby.
CF would not be the central part of my story. It is not the reveal. The reveal is how fickle life can be and how tied we are to random encounters with time and place and other people. These encounters can make us soar or they can make us crash regardless of how we try to co…[Read more]
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sarais var and
Timothy Bransford are now friends 1 year, 7 months ago
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Timothy Bransford posted an update 1 year, 9 months ago
Homage to Jaxx
Zara spends Mondays at our house. Sandi takes this day off from her clay studio to watch our 4-year old granddaughter. Since I work from home, each Monday morning “Z” makes a beeline to my office with the daily download of news. Today, she brings me a little artwork. It is a card with 4-year old drawings and etchings and cut…[Read more]
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I’m sorry to hear of this loss. It sounds like Jaxx was a great companion. Your description of letting Jaxx go vs the “soldier things” you’ve seen and done really pulled at my heartstrings. I’m glad you didn’t remain steely; what a tribute to Jaxx and way to honor your own heart in this grief. Sending love to you all (including Marvin and…
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Medical gaslighting in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 9 months ago
As much as I respect the medical profession, I do not worship at its feet. Like most CF patients, I do my best to know my disease and how it impacts my health. I advocate for myself. If a doctor is unable to handle my micro-management then I find a new doctor. Fortunately, I live in Seattle and we have a major CF clinic at the University of W…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic CF carrier symptoms? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 9 months ago
CF is such a broad spectrum. I believe it has a massive footprint that that is still relatively unknown. I’m lucky, it mostly impacts my lungs. I seem relatively OK with the rest of my organs. In fact, I’m pretty much a healthy person outside the FEV issue.
I come from a large family. I have 6 siblings and I am the only child with kno…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Life after vaccine… what are your thoughts? in the forum Coronavirus (COVID-19) and CF 1 year, 9 months ago
The looks I used to get during my CF clinic visits when I wore my N95 mask. The freight I used to sense from the general public when I wore that mask outside the clinic.
Post-covid it’s a different story.
I’m comfortable with social distancing and mask wearing. I’ve practiced this as much as possible for many years. Covid just legitimi…[Read more]
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I could not be more appreciative of your words and your perspective, thank you. You said “You are what you choose” and that really struck me, as did the approach of thinking ‘What can I control? Myself’ and focusing on that instead of the selfishness or upset around us (depending on your beliefs about the current crisis, of course). Thank you…[Read more]
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Patti Rowland and
Timothy Bransford are now friends 1 year, 10 months ago
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic I Am Sitting at a Coffee Shop…. in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 10 months ago
I know the dilemma. Just title this little ditty “Achilles meets Icarus”.
My way of coping with the realities of CF in the workplace 26 years ago was to start my own business with the aim to create a more user-friendly work environment. I determined to be overt with all aspects of CF. As I hired employees, part of my interview process was…[Read more]
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic “Courage Animals”: Which Are Yours? in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 11 months ago
Thank you for your kind commments.
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Timothy Bransford replied to the topic Sunday Morning (8) in the forum Adults With Cystic Fibrosis 1 year, 11 months ago
This morning, like every morning, I was awakened by the stiletto paws of our cat Jaxx. He is a big boy, so when he stands on my stomach and speaks with his “feed me Seymour” meow, he cannot be ignored. Next to Jaxx is his sidekick, Marvin. Marv is also a big boy. However, his morning technique is to wail like a banshee while gently tou…[Read more]
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This makes me so happy to read and imagine. I have two cats too – who aren’t very big- but I love big cats and hope to have one day. It feels like living with a tiger when around a bigger cat… We remember why they were originally wild beasts!
How did you find both of them? What’s their “gotcha day” story?
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