Marianne Mullen

Hi, I am Marianne Mullen and I would like to introduce myself as your AlphaNet Coordinator.

I moved from Hudson, Wisconsin to Tucson, Arizona in 1993, to live in a warmer climate and to change my career focus. I have three grown children and four grandchildren. I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

I had continual problems with bronchitis and asthma and had my first and second breathless experiences walking against strong winds in cold weather. For almost 20 years doctors did not take my condition seriously and I was told I was just out of shape and needed to exercise. I even ignored the Alpha-1 diagnosis of several cousins and hoped their condition had no connection to my health problems. It was actually when I was re-certifying to teach CPR that I finally admitted to myself there was really something wrong with me. Years before I had no problem inflating the lungs of ‘Annie’ (the CPR practice doll), but in 1990 I simply could not do it. I told my physician I wanted to be tested for Alpha-1 and was told, “You are not sick enough.” I prevailed and finally got my diagnosis; the next year I started infusions.

As a nurse I had never heard of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, but having Alpha-1 had a major impact on my career. Prior to my diagnosis, I had worked general duty in a variety of nursing settings including critical care, coronary care and obstetrics. After 1991, I could no longer do general duty and was turned down for disability. Because I was having so much trouble breathing in cold and humid weather I knew I had to make some major life changes.

I focused on Arizona and, with blind faith, moved to Tucson without a place to live or a job. My faith in God pulled me through. I found a place to live, a job with an insurance company and most importantly a new home and new friends. In my spare time, I enjoy time with family and my two miniature pincher dogs, Anna and Rico. I also enjoy watching the birds in my yard, gardening, genealogy, quilting, and counted cross-stitch.

I have always enjoyed talking and getting to know people; sharing my knowledge any way I can to help others live better. I do feel we are all family; somewhere, somehow we are all related. We learn from and support one another, that is what life is all about.