A question from a worried mom

[theLostMiler]

wow, what a great question!

First of all, I loved a lot of responses, brought up some good points for sure.

I grew up somewhat differently though than most who responded, I had a relatively mild CF case, err, it was more so the digestive effects than lungs until I hit puberty. Anyways, when I was a baby, my uncle was a RT and he told my mom not to do treatments unless I was sick, so I didnt start doing treatments regularly until I was in high school (after I stopped all forms of exercise, bad bad move)

Also, I am from a small town so jobs are different here, meaning not a lot of big companies... Mining is big thats about it. My mom worked, but there were times she was out of a job, but not for long b/c we needed the money too...as a baby she worked at a bank, but another lady had a daughter a month later so they would take turns babysitting, and the lady who watched me had enzymes at her house and gave them to me with my meals. After the bank my mom worked for my dad's parents at a t-shirt shop they owned so she could leave if I was sick or what not. I was in the hospital once and she was there with me, but a lot of times if I came home from school she would get me, take care of me for the day but then sometimes go back to work especially if home for more than 2 days. She was a phone call away so she could come home if she needed.

She is a fiesty woman though and is willing to quit jobs if things got bad enough, regardless of my cf. She isnt working now though (and all of us have adjusted), but I am trying to finish school and live 2 1/2 hours away so she'll come and stay with me for couple weeks and help me clean and cook a lot... she is looking for "work from home" job, b/c she is a graphic designer she just needs a computer w/ her program and she can work from home... I am so unpredictable in when Im sick and in the hospital that she needs that flexibility now-a-days... (is it bad I rely on her when I am sick so much??? I think she is the best mom though!)

My situation is different (because I didnt do treatments growing up), but I wanted to share it anyways.... any ideas might help!

 

[theLostMiler]

wow, what a great question!

First of all, I loved a lot of responses, brought up some good points for sure.

I grew up somewhat differently though than most who responded, I had a relatively mild CF case, err, it was more so the digestive effects than lungs until I hit puberty. Anyways, when I was a baby, my uncle was a RT and he told my mom not to do treatments unless I was sick, so I didnt start doing treatments regularly until I was in high school (after I stopped all forms of exercise, bad bad move)

Also, I am from a small town so jobs are different here, meaning not a lot of big companies... Mining is big thats about it. My mom worked, but there were times she was out of a job, but not for long b/c we needed the money too...as a baby she worked at a bank, but another lady had a daughter a month later so they would take turns babysitting, and the lady who watched me had enzymes at her house and gave them to me with my meals. After the bank my mom worked for my dad's parents at a t-shirt shop they owned so she could leave if I was sick or what not. I was in the hospital once and she was there with me, but a lot of times if I came home from school she would get me, take care of me for the day but then sometimes go back to work especially if home for more than 2 days. She was a phone call away so she could come home if she needed.

She is a fiesty woman though and is willing to quit jobs if things got bad enough, regardless of my cf. She isnt working now though (and all of us have adjusted), but I am trying to finish school and live 2 1/2 hours away so she'll come and stay with me for couple weeks and help me clean and cook a lot... she is looking for "work from home" job, b/c she is a graphic designer she just needs a computer w/ her program and she can work from home... I am so unpredictable in when Im sick and in the hospital that she needs that flexibility now-a-days... (is it bad I rely on her when I am sick so much??? I think she is the best mom though!)

My situation is different (because I didnt do treatments growing up), but I wanted to share it anyways.... any ideas might help!

 

[theLostMiler]

wow, what a great question!

First of all, I loved a lot of responses, brought up some good points for sure.

I grew up somewhat differently though than most who responded, I had a relatively mild CF case, err, it was more so the digestive effects than lungs until I hit puberty. Anyways, when I was a baby, my uncle was a RT and he told my mom not to do treatments unless I was sick, so I didnt start doing treatments regularly until I was in high school (after I stopped all forms of exercise, bad bad move)

Also, I am from a small town so jobs are different here, meaning not a lot of big companies... Mining is big thats about it. My mom worked, but there were times she was out of a job, but not for long b/c we needed the money too...as a baby she worked at a bank, but another lady had a daughter a month later so they would take turns babysitting, and the lady who watched me had enzymes at her house and gave them to me with my meals. After the bank my mom worked for my dad's parents at a t-shirt shop they owned so she could leave if I was sick or what not. I was in the hospital once and she was there with me, but a lot of times if I came home from school she would get me, take care of me for the day but then sometimes go back to work especially if home for more than 2 days. She was a phone call away so she could come home if she needed.

She is a fiesty woman though and is willing to quit jobs if things got bad enough, regardless of my cf. She isnt working now though (and all of us have adjusted), but I am trying to finish school and live 2 1/2 hours away so she'll come and stay with me for couple weeks and help me clean and cook a lot... she is looking for "work from home" job, b/c she is a graphic designer she just needs a computer w/ her program and she can work from home... I am so unpredictable in when Im sick and in the hospital that she needs that flexibility now-a-days... (is it bad I rely on her when I am sick so much??? I think she is the best mom though!)

My situation is different (because I didnt do treatments growing up), but I wanted to share it anyways.... any ideas might help!

 

[theLostMiler]

wow, what a great question!

First of all, I loved a lot of responses, brought up some good points for sure.

I grew up somewhat differently though than most who responded, I had a relatively mild CF case, err, it was more so the digestive effects than lungs until I hit puberty. Anyways, when I was a baby, my uncle was a RT and he told my mom not to do treatments unless I was sick, so I didnt start doing treatments regularly until I was in high school (after I stopped all forms of exercise, bad bad move)

Also, I am from a small town so jobs are different here, meaning not a lot of big companies... Mining is big thats about it. My mom worked, but there were times she was out of a job, but not for long b/c we needed the money too...as a baby she worked at a bank, but another lady had a daughter a month later so they would take turns babysitting, and the lady who watched me had enzymes at her house and gave them to me with my meals. After the bank my mom worked for my dad's parents at a t-shirt shop they owned so she could leave if I was sick or what not. I was in the hospital once and she was there with me, but a lot of times if I came home from school she would get me, take care of me for the day but then sometimes go back to work especially if home for more than 2 days. She was a phone call away so she could come home if she needed.

She is a fiesty woman though and is willing to quit jobs if things got bad enough, regardless of my cf. She isnt working now though (and all of us have adjusted), but I am trying to finish school and live 2 1/2 hours away so she'll come and stay with me for couple weeks and help me clean and cook a lot... she is looking for "work from home" job, b/c she is a graphic designer she just needs a computer w/ her program and she can work from home... I am so unpredictable in when Im sick and in the hospital that she needs that flexibility now-a-days... (is it bad I rely on her when I am sick so much??? I think she is the best mom though!)

My situation is different (because I didnt do treatments growing up), but I wanted to share it anyways.... any ideas might help!

 

[theLostMiler]

wow, what a great question!
<br />
<br />First of all, I loved a lot of responses, brought up some good points for sure.
<br />
<br />I grew up somewhat differently though than most who responded, I had a relatively mild CF case, err, it was more so the digestive effects than lungs until I hit puberty. Anyways, when I was a baby, my uncle was a RT and he told my mom not to do treatments unless I was sick, so I didnt start doing treatments regularly until I was in high school (after I stopped all forms of exercise, bad bad move)
<br />
<br />Also, I am from a small town so jobs are different here, meaning not a lot of big companies... Mining is big thats about it. My mom worked, but there were times she was out of a job, but not for long b/c we needed the money too...as a baby she worked at a bank, but another lady had a daughter a month later so they would take turns babysitting, and the lady who watched me had enzymes at her house and gave them to me with my meals. After the bank my mom worked for my dad's parents at a t-shirt shop they owned so she could leave if I was sick or what not. I was in the hospital once and she was there with me, but a lot of times if I came home from school she would get me, take care of me for the day but then sometimes go back to work especially if home for more than 2 days. She was a phone call away so she could come home if she needed.
<br />
<br />She is a fiesty woman though and is willing to quit jobs if things got bad enough, regardless of my cf. She isnt working now though (and all of us have adjusted), but I am trying to finish school and live 2 1/2 hours away so she'll come and stay with me for couple weeks and help me clean and cook a lot... she is looking for "work from home" job, b/c she is a graphic designer she just needs a computer w/ her program and she can work from home... I am so unpredictable in when Im sick and in the hospital that she needs that flexibility now-a-days... (is it bad I rely on her when I am sick so much??? I think she is the best mom though!)
<br />
<br />My situation is different (because I didnt do treatments growing up), but I wanted to share it anyways.... any ideas might help!

 

[jaimers]

My mom was working and finishing up grad school when i was born and diagnosed. she is a vet and has several degrees relating to that (BS in zoology and her DVM) but then she went back and got a Ph.D in microbiology (i seriously could have used some of her brains going through science in school!) so when I was diagnosed with CF she left her job as a vet and because of her science background was able to get a job working with CF research at UNC. she got to be a part of some pretty awesome discoveries!

anyway, she worked there until i was about 10 or so and my brother was 6 then she decided she wanted to stay home with us and be a bigger part of afterschool activities, etc. Like several others we were fortunate enough that my dad's job (where i got my insurance...) was enough for us to make it. She eventually went back to work when I was in college (about 4 years ago) and my brother was finishing up highschool.

I don't remember her working ever stopping her from being at appointments or staying with me in the hospital or generally having any type of affect on my health. maybe because she was working in cf research they gave her more flexibility to leave to take care of her cf child but i wasn't really old enough at the time to understand all of that.

Even when I was old enough to go to appointments by myself and didn't want her to go (when i could drive at 16) she would still take off work and be there in the waiting room.

I wouldn't say I'm any more or less healthy because my mom worked but her job flexibility was nice when i had to be in the hospital (IVs 1-2 times every couple years until highschool then about 1-2 times per year), when i had appointments etc. so she could be with me. my dad made it to most appointments and would spend most nights with me in the hospital and my mom would spend days.

don't know if that was helpful at all....hope it was <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'm sure whatever decision you and your husband make will be what's best for your family. Everyone here had/have parents that made it work no matter the circumstances (working, not working, etc.) so I know that whatever yall decide will have your kid's best interest at the heart of it and it will work out.

 

[jaimers]

My mom was working and finishing up grad school when i was born and diagnosed. she is a vet and has several degrees relating to that (BS in zoology and her DVM) but then she went back and got a Ph.D in microbiology (i seriously could have used some of her brains going through science in school!) so when I was diagnosed with CF she left her job as a vet and because of her science background was able to get a job working with CF research at UNC. she got to be a part of some pretty awesome discoveries!

anyway, she worked there until i was about 10 or so and my brother was 6 then she decided she wanted to stay home with us and be a bigger part of afterschool activities, etc. Like several others we were fortunate enough that my dad's job (where i got my insurance...) was enough for us to make it. She eventually went back to work when I was in college (about 4 years ago) and my brother was finishing up highschool.

I don't remember her working ever stopping her from being at appointments or staying with me in the hospital or generally having any type of affect on my health. maybe because she was working in cf research they gave her more flexibility to leave to take care of her cf child but i wasn't really old enough at the time to understand all of that.

Even when I was old enough to go to appointments by myself and didn't want her to go (when i could drive at 16) she would still take off work and be there in the waiting room.

I wouldn't say I'm any more or less healthy because my mom worked but her job flexibility was nice when i had to be in the hospital (IVs 1-2 times every couple years until highschool then about 1-2 times per year), when i had appointments etc. so she could be with me. my dad made it to most appointments and would spend most nights with me in the hospital and my mom would spend days.

don't know if that was helpful at all....hope it was <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'm sure whatever decision you and your husband make will be what's best for your family. Everyone here had/have parents that made it work no matter the circumstances (working, not working, etc.) so I know that whatever yall decide will have your kid's best interest at the heart of it and it will work out.

 

[jaimers]

My mom was working and finishing up grad school when i was born and diagnosed. she is a vet and has several degrees relating to that (BS in zoology and her DVM) but then she went back and got a Ph.D in microbiology (i seriously could have used some of her brains going through science in school!) so when I was diagnosed with CF she left her job as a vet and because of her science background was able to get a job working with CF research at UNC. she got to be a part of some pretty awesome discoveries!

anyway, she worked there until i was about 10 or so and my brother was 6 then she decided she wanted to stay home with us and be a bigger part of afterschool activities, etc. Like several others we were fortunate enough that my dad's job (where i got my insurance...) was enough for us to make it. She eventually went back to work when I was in college (about 4 years ago) and my brother was finishing up highschool.

I don't remember her working ever stopping her from being at appointments or staying with me in the hospital or generally having any type of affect on my health. maybe because she was working in cf research they gave her more flexibility to leave to take care of her cf child but i wasn't really old enough at the time to understand all of that.

Even when I was old enough to go to appointments by myself and didn't want her to go (when i could drive at 16) she would still take off work and be there in the waiting room.

I wouldn't say I'm any more or less healthy because my mom worked but her job flexibility was nice when i had to be in the hospital (IVs 1-2 times every couple years until highschool then about 1-2 times per year), when i had appointments etc. so she could be with me. my dad made it to most appointments and would spend most nights with me in the hospital and my mom would spend days.

don't know if that was helpful at all....hope it was <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'm sure whatever decision you and your husband make will be what's best for your family. Everyone here had/have parents that made it work no matter the circumstances (working, not working, etc.) so I know that whatever yall decide will have your kid's best interest at the heart of it and it will work out.

 

[jaimers]

My mom was working and finishing up grad school when i was born and diagnosed. she is a vet and has several degrees relating to that (BS in zoology and her DVM) but then she went back and got a Ph.D in microbiology (i seriously could have used some of her brains going through science in school!) so when I was diagnosed with CF she left her job as a vet and because of her science background was able to get a job working with CF research at UNC. she got to be a part of some pretty awesome discoveries!

anyway, she worked there until i was about 10 or so and my brother was 6 then she decided she wanted to stay home with us and be a bigger part of afterschool activities, etc. Like several others we were fortunate enough that my dad's job (where i got my insurance...) was enough for us to make it. She eventually went back to work when I was in college (about 4 years ago) and my brother was finishing up highschool.

I don't remember her working ever stopping her from being at appointments or staying with me in the hospital or generally having any type of affect on my health. maybe because she was working in cf research they gave her more flexibility to leave to take care of her cf child but i wasn't really old enough at the time to understand all of that.

Even when I was old enough to go to appointments by myself and didn't want her to go (when i could drive at 16) she would still take off work and be there in the waiting room.

I wouldn't say I'm any more or less healthy because my mom worked but her job flexibility was nice when i had to be in the hospital (IVs 1-2 times every couple years until highschool then about 1-2 times per year), when i had appointments etc. so she could be with me. my dad made it to most appointments and would spend most nights with me in the hospital and my mom would spend days.

don't know if that was helpful at all....hope it was <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'm sure whatever decision you and your husband make will be what's best for your family. Everyone here had/have parents that made it work no matter the circumstances (working, not working, etc.) so I know that whatever yall decide will have your kid's best interest at the heart of it and it will work out.

 

[jaimers]

My mom was working and finishing up grad school when i was born and diagnosed. she is a vet and has several degrees relating to that (BS in zoology and her DVM) but then she went back and got a Ph.D in microbiology (i seriously could have used some of her brains going through science in school!) so when I was diagnosed with CF she left her job as a vet and because of her science background was able to get a job working with CF research at UNC. she got to be a part of some pretty awesome discoveries!
<br />
<br />anyway, she worked there until i was about 10 or so and my brother was 6 then she decided she wanted to stay home with us and be a bigger part of afterschool activities, etc. Like several others we were fortunate enough that my dad's job (where i got my insurance...) was enough for us to make it. She eventually went back to work when I was in college (about 4 years ago) and my brother was finishing up highschool.
<br />
<br />I don't remember her working ever stopping her from being at appointments or staying with me in the hospital or generally having any type of affect on my health. maybe because she was working in cf research they gave her more flexibility to leave to take care of her cf child but i wasn't really old enough at the time to understand all of that.
<br />
<br />Even when I was old enough to go to appointments by myself and didn't want her to go (when i could drive at 16) she would still take off work and be there in the waiting room.
<br />
<br />I wouldn't say I'm any more or less healthy because my mom worked but her job flexibility was nice when i had to be in the hospital (IVs 1-2 times every couple years until highschool then about 1-2 times per year), when i had appointments etc. so she could be with me. my dad made it to most appointments and would spend most nights with me in the hospital and my mom would spend days.
<br />
<br />don't know if that was helpful at all....hope it was <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'm sure whatever decision you and your husband make will be what's best for your family. Everyone here had/have parents that made it work no matter the circumstances (working, not working, etc.) so I know that whatever yall decide will have your kid's best interest at the heart of it and it will work out.