I was recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 67. Although I love my CF care team, I think it will be important for them to understand age-related care in addition to CF care — especially as the CF population ages.
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I have had a fortunate life with cystic fibrosis given the fact that I married, had two kids, and a career. However, with increasing — and sometimes bewildering — health issues, I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s my CF or just aging, or something in between.
People like me are living longer — median survival for someone with cystic fibrosis is now 56 thanks to research and care. But as I grow older, my health is getting more complicated and I'll need my care to keep up.
Fitting school, work, and CF treatments into my daily routine is tough, and when I push myself too far, my performance and health suffer. I’m determined, however, to keep going and find a balance that is right for me.
Spending so much of my childhood in and out of the hospital and doing CF treatments was already enough to deal with, so it felt easier to keep my mental health challenges hidden. However, speaking up about my feelings helped me learn that caring for my mental health is as important as taking care of my physical health.