If you're the parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, you probably know the worry that comes along with sending your kid away to summer camp. To ensure that my own kids with CF were cared for at camp, I wrote the following letter outlining their special medical needs.
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When my mom used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told her that I wanted to be a dad. The journey to fatherhood with cystic fibrosis is full of obstacles, but I would give anything to pass on the traits I've gained from living with this disease to a child of my own.
Sometimes during weak moments, when my lung function has dropped despite doing everything in my power to hold off the destruction, I think, “What's the point?” Then I remind myself of the larger goal …
After being told at the age of 14 that I was probably infertile, the day finally came when this news mattered to me. But with IVF and the support of our church, my wife and I are now the proud parents of three biological children.
I've known for a while that pregnancy isn't an option for me due to complications related to my cystic fibrosis. Now that my husband and I are planning for children, here are some of the thoughts and considerations that impacted our family planning decisions.
In this “Living Today” video, we learn how Carrie Giddens, a 30-year-old with CF, and her husband, Craig, decided to have their first child through IVF and surrogacy.
When my husband and I were given the thumbs-up from my cystic fibrosis doctor to start trying for our own family, it felt like a small victory 12 years in the making. After being referred to a maternal-fetal medicine physician for a preconception consultation, we are finally taking our first steps toward parenthood.
As an infertile man with cystic fibrosis, I never thought my wife and I would be on the cusp of our first pregnancy. Fortunately, over the last 18 months, we've learned a thing or two about navigating the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
As a social worker who specializes in helping adults with cystic fibrosis, I realized several years ago that there's a connection between intimacy and sexuality, and the successful management of a daily CF treatment plan. By "partnering with your partner," you can work together to enhance your relationship and minimize the barriers to your care.
When my wife and I found out that our daughter had cystic fibrosis, we decided to start maintaining a daily schedule for her CF treatment and care. Here are five ways that we uphold this routine and encourage our little girl to take an active role in her own care.