I was not emotionally prepared the first time I saw my daughter in her vest. But now, I am thankful to have this device as a part of our daily routine to keep her lungs healthy.
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At first, it was easy to get my son to do his cystic fibrosis treatments. But as he got older, he started to hide his medications, rather than take them. I finally learned how to get him to see the importance of taking his medications.
In 2020, I went from having almost no knowledge about cystic fibrosis to the shocking revelation that I've actually been battling CF my entire life. At 53 years old, I'm still a work in progress, but I'm facing this new diagnosis head-on.
I was heartbroken when I learned my baby would be born with cystic fibrosis. However, my son's CF care team changed my perspective and connected me with other mothers of children with CF who became lifelines of support for me.
We've only lived with our daughter Louisa's CF diagnosis for six months. Besides adjusting to her treatments and care needs, our priority has also been to talk openly about this new normal with Louisa's older brother -- in ways a 3-year-old can understand.
It's been a whirlwind year since my son was born and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Despite the surgeries, hospital stays, and challenges of living with the disease every day, I'm thankful for the people who helped pave the way.
In the summer months, some things require special attention for people with cystic fibrosis.
Watch three women talk about growing up with CF in the '80s and how they defied their doctors' expectations.
Finding out I had a terminal illness my junior year of high school was a life change I was not prepared for. And as my life and relationships change, I'm learning that the journey to acceptance never ends.
Living in Pakistan, I didn't know I had CF until I was 18 years old. After absorbing a big emotional blow, I started to fight back.