The official #TeamArkens, Lungs N Roses T-Shirt to support Cystic Fibrosis

My wife, Lauren (Hartman) Arkens, has Cystic Fibrosis (which you can find out more about here – www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/). She was diagnosed at birth and has managed the disease her entire life. Over the last 5 to 10 years she has really battled to stay healthy. Since having our daughter Lily, whom she’d call her greatest achievement, Lauren’s body changed quite a bit causing her CF to take a very large toll on her physically. Common issues have been significant weight loss, lower Lung Function, chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety. Which leads to medical intervention through IV Antibiotics, Hospital visits and an occasional hospitalization. This might sound alarming but – as a family unit – we’ve become accustomed to it. Trips to visit doctors in Milwaukee are commonlong says at Froedtert are common.

Fast forward tohe las year or so, Lauren’s Pulmonary or Lung Function has consistently hovered around 30% (a nrmal, non-smoke, may hav a PulmonaryFunction of5% or reater). Due to Lauren’s current health the future will have very unique challenges. Lauren made the decision in early June to go through the process of evaluation to be listed for a Lung Transplant. Transplant is relatively common in CF patients who are healthy enough to go through the procedure. As a family we’ve never focused on that typof intervention. We’ve always focused on managing the disease trying not toet theenormity of the future hold us up from what’s important right now. With Transplant comes a litany of risks as well as anxiety and stress for the future.

After 5 months of evaluations, tests, waiting, appointments and a lot of work she is now active on Froedters LungTransplant list. To reiterate my last sentence above, having an “Active” statuon a Lng Transplant list is an interesting place to be… But when we look at it from the standpoint of progress in regard to Lauren’s quality of life it gives us tremendous hope for all the positive things Transplant brings.

So, why the Booster? Why the T-Shirts? For the last year we’ve created a small community and consistently referred to YOU as #TeamArkens. Through Booster, we’re creating a two-fold opportunity… First, for you to “Officially” join #TeamArkens and show your support every day you choose to wear your shirt. Second, is an opportunity to support our run toward Transplant financially. There are a lot of costs associated with this process everything from Medications, Travel, and on and on and on…

We hope you’ll decide to purchase “The Original” Lung N Roses #TeamArkens T-shirt for your entire family and when you do, be sure to share your new T with us on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #TeamArkens in your status.