Energy

 One of the difficulties of A1AD is that of limited energy levels.  I find it common to have only limited daily energy until about noon, afterwards I must resign myself to chores that take less energy to accomplish.  I have no idea why I felt to write this today.  I just wanted to share, so others with A1AD do not get too discouraged at not having as much energy as others.  The body spends most of it's energy repairing the lungs everyday, so we can breathe, therefore we just sort of do the best we can.  

Tearing Tendons

 One of the sure signs of the body not getting a proper balance of protein for long enough is, muscle and tendon tearing.  Since the lungs of an A1AD person are always rebuilding, they need a constant source of protein in the bloodstream.  If there is not a constant source of protein in the bloodstream, the A1AD body will breakdown muscle, tendon, and even bone tissue to re-route to build lung tissue.  This re-appropriation is done to keep the survival mechanizms of the body functioning enough to keep the A1AD breathing.  The downside to this stealing the protein from other areas of the body is severe weakness of muscles, tendons, and even weakened and soft bones, easily breakable.  The solution is to cut out all sugar from the diet, and maintain steady protein in the bloodstream.  The protein should come from various dietary sources.  Along with this, a steady schedule of muscle building exercises should also be maintained to counter the catabolic effects of A1AD, not to mention preparing for unseen circumstances where there is not enough protein in the blood.

I hate torn tendons!

Hard To Breathe

 Some days it is just so hard to breathe!

I have been running around so much lately, and my schedule is so far off, I am having trouble recovering.  I really need to get back on schedule, and get back on a proper A1AD diet.  It is so easy to stay healthy when on the proper diet and on the proper schedule.

Kindness Of Strangers

 I have recently met a distant neighbour who found out we were digging out our drainage by hand, and he offered us the use of his backhoe.  It is a great blessing, for such a kindness.  It certainly helped the job go faster!

Thank-you very much!

Not Acceptable

 It is sad, when I have spent so much time in a club, and now I am not allowed to be a part of it, since I cannot get the vaccine, due to this genetic disorder.  I am quite sad about this!

Getting Yelled At

 Today was the first day I was yelled at to leave an establishment for not having a vaccination card.  I saw the sign outside, but as an A1AD lung affected person, some establishments have been kind to me, letting me shop because the vaccination is life threatening to me.  So I figured, maybe I could just ask.  I opened the door, stepped inside, and began to ask.  The gentleman asked first if I had a vaccination card, I said no, and said I just wanted to ask...  He just started raising his voice, telling me I had to get out.  I of course just put up my hands and agreed, and said I was only asking.  My wife and I turned and were walking out, when the guy kept yelling at us.  I turned and said, you don't have to be so mean.  That was it.  It was not a big thing, but it was definitely not mannerly.  

We are all subject to these mandates against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the customer as well as the business owner.  At least we can all be civil, polite, and courteous with each other, maybe even remain friendly toward one another.  The business owner is not the only one suffering, neither is the customer the only one suffering.  We are all in this together.  Instead of burning bridges, let us work together.  After all, this is only the beginning.  Things will get far worse than this.  We may need each other later on.k

Have a great day!

A Change In Lifestyle, A Change In Pace!

 This blog began to share my adventures as I cycle, paddle, and ski across Canada, to raise awareness of Alpha 1 Anti-trypsin Deficiency.  Because of a decline in health, I have just decided to blog a few things here and there about life in general, from this Alpha's point of view.

The Simple Pleasures

 Rising early in the morning.  Watching the sheep being taken out to pasture, by one of the young men on horseback.  Watching as the little children of the community run around on foot, helping to herd the sheep.  The whole community working together for the benefit of all!