Growing up with cystic fibrosis, my parents always encouraged me to take responsibility and be open and honest about my disease. That's why my number one piece of advice for parents of kids with CF is to entrust your child with small bits of responsibility at an early age so that they can take care of themselves down the road.
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From scheduling appointments to dealing with insurance, taking charge of your own care is a part of becoming an adult with cystic fibrosis. However, when the time came for me to take over these responsibilities, I realized more could be done to make the transition smoother.
As someone who is in the hospital three to four times a year, I've found that there are a few things I need to create a comfortable environment. I love to look online and see what other people with CF bring to the hospital, so hopefully, my list will give you a few ideas for your next stay.
To the moms of children with CF who feel isolated in their journey — you are not alone. This is my letter to you, from someone who understands.
With help and support from my parents, I felt empowered to make my first big decision with my cystic fibrosis care: When to remove my G-tube.
When I started coughing up blood, letting my care team know helped me handle it the next time.