Second Wind
By Angela Ruggeri
My name is Angela Ruggeri and I am pretty much your average 24-year-old girl. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, going to the gym, dancing, the beach, and just having a great time no matter where I am. I try to live my life to its fullest and experience everything there is in life.
What you may not know by just looking at me is that I live with Cystic Fibrosis and I have fought for every breath I’ve taken since I was six months old. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas. As a result, patients with CF can face lung infections, pancreatic deficiency and many other complications that can be fatal. When I was 5 years old I remember having to face a life expectancy of around 20 years old.
Living with Cystic Fibrosis has been a challenge over the years with many ups and downs. I was pretty healthy, until I hit my teen years and was hospitalized for the first time at 14 years old, which many would consider fortunate. Since that time my CF has progressed, as it does in most patients. I go to the doctor for routine visits every three weeks and weekly if I am sick. My appointments consist of chest X-rays, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT), and lab work. Compared to others with CF, I would consider myself to be lucky. I have exacerbations about four times a year, which lands me on a PICC line for IV antibiotics either in the hospital or at home. Depending on the severity of an infection, this course of treatment can last for up to eight weeks.
My health has become a major focal point of my life. I must take a variety of medications and treatments on a daily basis. My day begins and ends with a form of physical therapy called “The Vest” to help move the mucus in my lungs. “The Vest” is followed by three nebulizer treatments, consisting of bronchodilators to open my airways and an antibiotic to treat and prevent infection. I also ingest a variety of pills throughout the day, which consist of antibiotics, vitamins, and enzymes after every meal to help my pancreas break down the fats and absorb food.
In 2005 I attended C.W. Post College for two and a half years in the hopes of pursuing a career in nursing or education, which I aspired to do since childhood. Due to my progression, I was forced to take medical leave, which I am still on presently. I still plan on going back to finish my college education as soon as I am able.
Although CF is a major part of my life, and has often changed the course of the vision I have mapped out for my future, I refuse to let it consume me. I consider CF a blessing in disguise; if it weren’t for CF, I would have never met some of the most amazing people in my life. These people, including family, friends, doctors and nurses have supported me throughout my life and have gotten me to where I am today. Spending time with family and friends is so important to me; they are my life line, without them I truly would not be where I am today. Living with CF has also shaped me into the person I am; it has made me strong and made me realize what life is really about. I have learned to accept that Cystic Fibrosis is my life, this is what I was given and there is nothing I can do about it. I have always lived my life as “normal” as I could despite everything that came my way, and I try to enjoy every second of it.
One of the gifts CF has given me is the need to help others. I have become involved in two major charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which I have found to be an incredibly fulfilling experience. Every year I lead a team of family and friends called “The Princess’ Crew” in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides Walk. Great Strides is the CF Foundation’s largest and most successful national event. This year I was honored to be named Family Chair for my walk site and it was my most successful year yet. With much help from my sponsor, No Let Up, Inc., my team consisted of over 120 walkers, and we were able to raise over $38,000 alone. Volunteering has been truly rewarding to me on a personal level, as I find it essential to help and give back to the community, the way others have done for me throughout my life.
I am currently in the process of starting up my own nonprofit foundation called Breathe Believe, which will help benefit all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis. It is my goal to help make a difference in the lives of those with CF. The life expectancy for a child living with Cystic Fibrosis is presently 37 years old, although that age has grown over the years it is still completely unacceptable in my eyes. Without the proper research and funds, that number will not change. It is a goal and dream of mine to see the cure for CF in my lifetime. I hope with Breathe Believe, my efforts, and the efforts of others this will be achieved. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this. Breathe and believe today and always.