Farms, hay, manure, IgE, etc...

[billsmom]

My son's father lives on a farm. We are not together, and do not get along. Unfortunately, co-parenting isn't possible with him, so I've petitioned for full custody of my son, Billy. He is 3, with CF.

One of my major concerns for my son is the farm. His father does NOT put a mask on him, ever. He has five horses, and there is hay in the barn at all times. Stacked all year round. He also piles up manure, then spreads it in the fields. He actually puts my son on the tractors to "help" him move hay and spread manure. I've been fighting him about this since his diagnosis, and he just says that I am just making up reasons for custody.

Billy got sick in August of this year - still going to his father's every day, and I cannot do anything about it until court in January (long story but my trial isn't until the end of Jan and I'm powerless to change it until then).

The cough would not go away. We tried Bactrim for an entire month... nothing worked. FInally, his docs admitted him for IV antibiotics. THey did his first bronchoscopy too. The bronch cultured pseudomonas, MRSA, and Aspergillus. They also tested his IgE levels, which came out at 379. Doc says that is slightly high for a kid his age - higher than they normally see.

I am LIVID. Upset... concerned. I feel that being at that farm raises his chances of APBA (is that right?) considerably if he continues to be constantly exposed to the hay and manure like that!

Does anyone have good information about it? As parents to CF children, would you allow your child to play in a barn on a daily basis, where there is always hay, peed and pooped on straw, piles of manure, and dust????

I am also currently looking for an expert witness for my trial. I would be so appreciative for any information anyone could help me with - any names of experts who would be willing to testify.

Thanks for listening.

Kristy
Bill's mommy

 

[billsmom]

My son's father lives on a farm. We are not together, and do not get along. Unfortunately, co-parenting isn't possible with him, so I've petitioned for full custody of my son, Billy. He is 3, with CF.

One of my major concerns for my son is the farm. His father does NOT put a mask on him, ever. He has five horses, and there is hay in the barn at all times. Stacked all year round. He also piles up manure, then spreads it in the fields. He actually puts my son on the tractors to "help" him move hay and spread manure. I've been fighting him about this since his diagnosis, and he just says that I am just making up reasons for custody.

Billy got sick in August of this year - still going to his father's every day, and I cannot do anything about it until court in January (long story but my trial isn't until the end of Jan and I'm powerless to change it until then).

The cough would not go away. We tried Bactrim for an entire month... nothing worked. FInally, his docs admitted him for IV antibiotics. THey did his first bronchoscopy too. The bronch cultured pseudomonas, MRSA, and Aspergillus. They also tested his IgE levels, which came out at 379. Doc says that is slightly high for a kid his age - higher than they normally see.

I am LIVID. Upset... concerned. I feel that being at that farm raises his chances of APBA (is that right?) considerably if he continues to be constantly exposed to the hay and manure like that!

Does anyone have good information about it? As parents to CF children, would you allow your child to play in a barn on a daily basis, where there is always hay, peed and pooped on straw, piles of manure, and dust????

I am also currently looking for an expert witness for my trial. I would be so appreciative for any information anyone could help me with - any names of experts who would be willing to testify.

Thanks for listening.

Kristy
Bill's mommy

 

[billsmom]

My son's father lives on a farm. We are not together, and do not get along. Unfortunately, co-parenting isn't possible with him, so I've petitioned for full custody of my son, Billy. He is 3, with CF.

One of my major concerns for my son is the farm. His father does NOT put a mask on him, ever. He has five horses, and there is hay in the barn at all times. Stacked all year round. He also piles up manure, then spreads it in the fields. He actually puts my son on the tractors to "help" him move hay and spread manure. I've been fighting him about this since his diagnosis, and he just says that I am just making up reasons for custody.

Billy got sick in August of this year - still going to his father's every day, and I cannot do anything about it until court in January (long story but my trial isn't until the end of Jan and I'm powerless to change it until then).

The cough would not go away. We tried Bactrim for an entire month... nothing worked. FInally, his docs admitted him for IV antibiotics. THey did his first bronchoscopy too. The bronch cultured pseudomonas, MRSA, and Aspergillus. They also tested his IgE levels, which came out at 379. Doc says that is slightly high for a kid his age - higher than they normally see.

I am LIVID. Upset... concerned. I feel that being at that farm raises his chances of APBA (is that right?) considerably if he continues to be constantly exposed to the hay and manure like that!

Does anyone have good information about it? As parents to CF children, would you allow your child to play in a barn on a daily basis, where there is always hay, peed and pooped on straw, piles of manure, and dust????

I am also currently looking for an expert witness for my trial. I would be so appreciative for any information anyone could help me with - any names of experts who would be willing to testify.

Thanks for listening.

Kristy
Bill's mommy

 

[billsmom]

My son's father lives on a farm. We are not together, and do not get along. Unfortunately, co-parenting isn't possible with him, so I've petitioned for full custody of my son, Billy. He is 3, with CF.

One of my major concerns for my son is the farm. His father does NOT put a mask on him, ever. He has five horses, and there is hay in the barn at all times. Stacked all year round. He also piles up manure, then spreads it in the fields. He actually puts my son on the tractors to "help" him move hay and spread manure. I've been fighting him about this since his diagnosis, and he just says that I am just making up reasons for custody.

Billy got sick in August of this year - still going to his father's every day, and I cannot do anything about it until court in January (long story but my trial isn't until the end of Jan and I'm powerless to change it until then).

The cough would not go away. We tried Bactrim for an entire month... nothing worked. FInally, his docs admitted him for IV antibiotics. THey did his first bronchoscopy too. The bronch cultured pseudomonas, MRSA, and Aspergillus. They also tested his IgE levels, which came out at 379. Doc says that is slightly high for a kid his age - higher than they normally see.

I am LIVID. Upset... concerned. I feel that being at that farm raises his chances of APBA (is that right?) considerably if he continues to be constantly exposed to the hay and manure like that!

Does anyone have good information about it? As parents to CF children, would you allow your child to play in a barn on a daily basis, where there is always hay, peed and pooped on straw, piles of manure, and dust????

I am also currently looking for an expert witness for my trial. I would be so appreciative for any information anyone could help me with - any names of experts who would be willing to testify.

Thanks for listening.

Kristy
Bill's mommy

 

[billsmom]

My son's father lives on a farm. We are not together, and do not get along. Unfortunately, co-parenting isn't possible with him, so I've petitioned for full custody of my son, Billy. He is 3, with CF.
<br />
<br />One of my major concerns for my son is the farm. His father does NOT put a mask on him, ever. He has five horses, and there is hay in the barn at all times. Stacked all year round. He also piles up manure, then spreads it in the fields. He actually puts my son on the tractors to "help" him move hay and spread manure. I've been fighting him about this since his diagnosis, and he just says that I am just making up reasons for custody.
<br />
<br />Billy got sick in August of this year - still going to his father's every day, and I cannot do anything about it until court in January (long story but my trial isn't until the end of Jan and I'm powerless to change it until then).
<br />
<br />The cough would not go away. We tried Bactrim for an entire month... nothing worked. FInally, his docs admitted him for IV antibiotics. THey did his first bronchoscopy too. The bronch cultured pseudomonas, MRSA, and Aspergillus. They also tested his IgE levels, which came out at 379. Doc says that is slightly high for a kid his age - higher than they normally see.
<br />
<br />I am LIVID. Upset... concerned. I feel that being at that farm raises his chances of APBA (is that right?) considerably if he continues to be constantly exposed to the hay and manure like that!
<br />
<br />Does anyone have good information about it? As parents to CF children, would you allow your child to play in a barn on a daily basis, where there is always hay, peed and pooped on straw, piles of manure, and dust????
<br />
<br />I am also currently looking for an expert witness for my trial. I would be so appreciative for any information anyone could help me with - any names of experts who would be willing to testify.
<br />
<br />Thanks for listening.
<br />
<br />Kristy
<br />Bill's mommy

 

[tleigh]

Kristy,
I so appreciate your concern for your son. I will share that personally I grew up on ranch in CO and am now almost 34. I currently live in a large city and have more issues w/ allergies and things now than I did growing up.

 

[tleigh]

Kristy,
I so appreciate your concern for your son. I will share that personally I grew up on ranch in CO and am now almost 34. I currently live in a large city and have more issues w/ allergies and things now than I did growing up.

 

[tleigh]

Kristy,
I so appreciate your concern for your son. I will share that personally I grew up on ranch in CO and am now almost 34. I currently live in a large city and have more issues w/ allergies and things now than I did growing up.

 

[tleigh]

Kristy,
I so appreciate your concern for your son. I will share that personally I grew up on ranch in CO and am now almost 34. I currently live in a large city and have more issues w/ allergies and things now than I did growing up.

 

[tleigh]

Kristy,
<br />I so appreciate your concern for your son. I will share that personally I grew up on ranch in CO and am now almost 34. I currently live in a large city and have more issues w/ allergies and things now than I did growing up.

 

[billsmom]

tleigh,

Thank you for responding. Did you take any precautions for exposure to things like hay and manure? My son literally plays in hay and in dirt stalls that have urine and manure in them.

I truly hope my son grows up riding horses with his father, and can enjoy that type of life, because it is NOT common here in Baltimore.

 

[billsmom]

tleigh,

Thank you for responding. Did you take any precautions for exposure to things like hay and manure? My son literally plays in hay and in dirt stalls that have urine and manure in them.

I truly hope my son grows up riding horses with his father, and can enjoy that type of life, because it is NOT common here in Baltimore.

 

[billsmom]

tleigh,

Thank you for responding. Did you take any precautions for exposure to things like hay and manure? My son literally plays in hay and in dirt stalls that have urine and manure in them.

I truly hope my son grows up riding horses with his father, and can enjoy that type of life, because it is NOT common here in Baltimore.

 

[billsmom]

tleigh,

Thank you for responding. Did you take any precautions for exposure to things like hay and manure? My son literally plays in hay and in dirt stalls that have urine and manure in them.

I truly hope my son grows up riding horses with his father, and can enjoy that type of life, because it is NOT common here in Baltimore.

 

[billsmom]

tleigh,
<br />
<br />Thank you for responding. Did you take any precautions for exposure to things like hay and manure? My son literally plays in hay and in dirt stalls that have urine and manure in them.
<br />
<br />I truly hope my son grows up riding horses with his father, and can enjoy that type of life, because it is NOT common here in Baltimore.

 

[jenspoon]

Hi Billsmom
I hope you can work through this. My daughter is now 15 and we run a large horse property. She has been in a farm environment all her life. She cultures Aspergillus (always a light growth) as do many others that I know of that live in an inner city environment with no contact with horses, hay, manure etc.

We have struck a balance with enjoying horses and animals in their environment with some sensible precautions along the way after lengthly discussions with our CF specialist.

1. My daughter has had allergy testing and does not test positive to any animals that we have. She is still symptomatic of allergies in the spring time here so we actively treat her symptoms.

2. NO contact or involvement with wet hay, stable bedding, manure or compost matter. So, no mucking out of stables for her (I think she thinks she is on a good thing here). Aspergillus and probably other moulds/fungi are prolific in these environments so it just makes sense not to expose our children to these.

3. Horse/stock feed can be dusty, so avoid mixing these or pop on a mask.

4. Try to keep horse handling activities out of the barn if possible - fresh air is so much healthier than a dusty barn environment.

5. I used to allow my daughter to hop on our four wheel motor bike to harrow the manure in the paddocks but have stopped this to prevent exposure to dirt/manure particles in the air.

Other than these things, my daughter has enjoyed a very active, healthy and happy life on the farm and has become a very accomplished rider.

I think this lifestyle has actually helped keep her well. She has cultured some of the usual cf bacteria but is doing fantastically with an FEV1 of between 110 - 120%. She has had three hospital admissions in her life so far.

I am sure the positives of a farm lifestyle will be great for young Bill. Perhaps your doctor can supply a letter of recommendations about what to avoid to help in this situation.

I wish you well in your negotiation through these issues and can only suggest that you bring in specialist recommendations to support your case.

Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help in any way.
Jenny

 

[jenspoon]

Hi Billsmom
I hope you can work through this. My daughter is now 15 and we run a large horse property. She has been in a farm environment all her life. She cultures Aspergillus (always a light growth) as do many others that I know of that live in an inner city environment with no contact with horses, hay, manure etc.

We have struck a balance with enjoying horses and animals in their environment with some sensible precautions along the way after lengthly discussions with our CF specialist.

1. My daughter has had allergy testing and does not test positive to any animals that we have. She is still symptomatic of allergies in the spring time here so we actively treat her symptoms.

2. NO contact or involvement with wet hay, stable bedding, manure or compost matter. So, no mucking out of stables for her (I think she thinks she is on a good thing here). Aspergillus and probably other moulds/fungi are prolific in these environments so it just makes sense not to expose our children to these.

3. Horse/stock feed can be dusty, so avoid mixing these or pop on a mask.

4. Try to keep horse handling activities out of the barn if possible - fresh air is so much healthier than a dusty barn environment.

5. I used to allow my daughter to hop on our four wheel motor bike to harrow the manure in the paddocks but have stopped this to prevent exposure to dirt/manure particles in the air.

Other than these things, my daughter has enjoyed a very active, healthy and happy life on the farm and has become a very accomplished rider.

I think this lifestyle has actually helped keep her well. She has cultured some of the usual cf bacteria but is doing fantastically with an FEV1 of between 110 - 120%. She has had three hospital admissions in her life so far.

I am sure the positives of a farm lifestyle will be great for young Bill. Perhaps your doctor can supply a letter of recommendations about what to avoid to help in this situation.

I wish you well in your negotiation through these issues and can only suggest that you bring in specialist recommendations to support your case.

Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help in any way.
Jenny

 

[jenspoon]

Hi Billsmom
I hope you can work through this. My daughter is now 15 and we run a large horse property. She has been in a farm environment all her life. She cultures Aspergillus (always a light growth) as do many others that I know of that live in an inner city environment with no contact with horses, hay, manure etc.

We have struck a balance with enjoying horses and animals in their environment with some sensible precautions along the way after lengthly discussions with our CF specialist.

1. My daughter has had allergy testing and does not test positive to any animals that we have. She is still symptomatic of allergies in the spring time here so we actively treat her symptoms.

2. NO contact or involvement with wet hay, stable bedding, manure or compost matter. So, no mucking out of stables for her (I think she thinks she is on a good thing here). Aspergillus and probably other moulds/fungi are prolific in these environments so it just makes sense not to expose our children to these.

3. Horse/stock feed can be dusty, so avoid mixing these or pop on a mask.

4. Try to keep horse handling activities out of the barn if possible - fresh air is so much healthier than a dusty barn environment.

5. I used to allow my daughter to hop on our four wheel motor bike to harrow the manure in the paddocks but have stopped this to prevent exposure to dirt/manure particles in the air.

Other than these things, my daughter has enjoyed a very active, healthy and happy life on the farm and has become a very accomplished rider.

I think this lifestyle has actually helped keep her well. She has cultured some of the usual cf bacteria but is doing fantastically with an FEV1 of between 110 - 120%. She has had three hospital admissions in her life so far.

I am sure the positives of a farm lifestyle will be great for young Bill. Perhaps your doctor can supply a letter of recommendations about what to avoid to help in this situation.

I wish you well in your negotiation through these issues and can only suggest that you bring in specialist recommendations to support your case.

Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help in any way.
Jenny

 

[jenspoon]

Hi Billsmom
I hope you can work through this. My daughter is now 15 and we run a large horse property. She has been in a farm environment all her life. She cultures Aspergillus (always a light growth) as do many others that I know of that live in an inner city environment with no contact with horses, hay, manure etc.

We have struck a balance with enjoying horses and animals in their environment with some sensible precautions along the way after lengthly discussions with our CF specialist.

1. My daughter has had allergy testing and does not test positive to any animals that we have. She is still symptomatic of allergies in the spring time here so we actively treat her symptoms.

2. NO contact or involvement with wet hay, stable bedding, manure or compost matter. So, no mucking out of stables for her (I think she thinks she is on a good thing here). Aspergillus and probably other moulds/fungi are prolific in these environments so it just makes sense not to expose our children to these.

3. Horse/stock feed can be dusty, so avoid mixing these or pop on a mask.

4. Try to keep horse handling activities out of the barn if possible - fresh air is so much healthier than a dusty barn environment.

5. I used to allow my daughter to hop on our four wheel motor bike to harrow the manure in the paddocks but have stopped this to prevent exposure to dirt/manure particles in the air.

Other than these things, my daughter has enjoyed a very active, healthy and happy life on the farm and has become a very accomplished rider.

I think this lifestyle has actually helped keep her well. She has cultured some of the usual cf bacteria but is doing fantastically with an FEV1 of between 110 - 120%. She has had three hospital admissions in her life so far.

I am sure the positives of a farm lifestyle will be great for young Bill. Perhaps your doctor can supply a letter of recommendations about what to avoid to help in this situation.

I wish you well in your negotiation through these issues and can only suggest that you bring in specialist recommendations to support your case.

Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help in any way.
Jenny

 

[jenspoon]

Hi Billsmom
<br />I hope you can work through this. My daughter is now 15 and we run a large horse property. She has been in a farm environment all her life. She cultures Aspergillus (always a light growth) as do many others that I know of that live in an inner city environment with no contact with horses, hay, manure etc.
<br />
<br />We have struck a balance with enjoying horses and animals in their environment with some sensible precautions along the way after lengthly discussions with our CF specialist.
<br />
<br />1. My daughter has had allergy testing and does not test positive to any animals that we have. She is still symptomatic of allergies in the spring time here so we actively treat her symptoms.
<br />
<br />2. NO contact or involvement with wet hay, stable bedding, manure or compost matter. So, no mucking out of stables for her (I think she thinks she is on a good thing here). Aspergillus and probably other moulds/fungi are prolific in these environments so it just makes sense not to expose our children to these.
<br />
<br />3. Horse/stock feed can be dusty, so avoid mixing these or pop on a mask.
<br />
<br />4. Try to keep horse handling activities out of the barn if possible - fresh air is so much healthier than a dusty barn environment.
<br />
<br />5. I used to allow my daughter to hop on our four wheel motor bike to harrow the manure in the paddocks but have stopped this to prevent exposure to dirt/manure particles in the air.
<br />
<br />Other than these things, my daughter has enjoyed a very active, healthy and happy life on the farm and has become a very accomplished rider.
<br />
<br />I think this lifestyle has actually helped keep her well. She has cultured some of the usual cf bacteria but is doing fantastically with an FEV1 of between 110 - 120%. She has had three hospital admissions in her life so far.
<br />
<br />I am sure the positives of a farm lifestyle will be great for young Bill. Perhaps your doctor can supply a letter of recommendations about what to avoid to help in this situation.
<br />
<br />I wish you well in your negotiation through these issues and can only suggest that you bring in specialist recommendations to support your case.
<br />
<br />Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help in any way.
<br />Jenny