WHAT IS CYSTIC Fibrosis?
C.F. is an inherited disease that can cause severe damage to lungs, digestive system, and other possible organs. C.F. affects that cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. Making it harder for C.F. patients to breathe, and absorb nutrients from food.
Daily care is required, such as breathing treatments, lung percussion therapy, and taking daily doses of digestive enzymes with each meal.
Symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of the disease with each individual. Even within the same person symptoms can improve or worsen as time passes.
Is THERE A CURE FOR THE DISEASE?
There’s NO Cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but there is a range of different treatments that can help to control the symptoms, and make the condition easier to live with.
DO YOU HAVE CYSTIC Fibrosis?
Yes. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 2. The first years the doctors thought I only had pneumonia.
Do YOU KNOW ANYONE ELSE WITH C.F?
Yes! My younger brother was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was born. Which happen to be the same time the doctors decided to diagnose me when I was 2. Without him the doctors may not have diagnosed me as soon.
Did YOU BOTH GROW UP TOGETHER?
Absolutely! My brother, and I were best friends both battling the same disease. However, overtime I noticed that his symptoms were always much worse than mine.
Sadly, in 2006 my younger brother passed at the age of 17.
Was IT HARD FOR YOUR PARENTS?
Yes, but they made it look easy even though it was not! My parents did an amazing job making sure we did all of our daily care treatment plan, and keeping us on a strict schedule.
Our parents were also able to maintain a great balance of making us feel normal, and continued to enhance our health by getting us in after school activities such as dance, cheerleading, and sports for my brother.
In my adolescences I’ve really come to have much more deeper gratitude, and appreciation for all they went through for us.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH?
- Daily treatments such a breathing inhalations, and chest percussions are done.
- I take digestive enzymes with every snack/meal.
- Daily vitamins + minerals
- I eat healthy nutrient packed food/smoothies/juices
- I live an active lifestyle (workout, yoga, activities)
- Listen to my body, when I need to rest, I rest.
- Studied & graduated from National Personal Training Institute(physical fitness & nutrition) + NASM Cert. + FAI Specialist. I continue to learn, coach, and share everything I can to help sustain a healthy lifestyle.
- I make sure to stay away from smoke
- Get out into the fresh air often/outdoors often
- Gratitude journal (increases appreciation of life/health, decreases stress)
- Indulge in a creative hobby I enjoy such as reading, dancing, taking pictures. (Increases serotonin)
I mention all of my above tips to show that health is not only physical, but also mental and emotional. You need to take care of your health in many areas to truly sustain a healthy life.
