Hi, i was just diagnosed with CF last July, i was 49 years old then, i'm 50 now. I was diagnosed with bronchieactasis when i was 28 years old, so i knew i had lung issues but i had no idea it was CF until last year. I've been in and out of hospitals for the last 3 years with pneumonias and other lung infections but when i went in last May with pancreatitis they finally put all the symptoms together and had me tested for CF. after finally learning that I had CF and getting to a certified CF clinic for treatments, it wasn't too long after that they discovered that i am also culturing MAC, which is another bacteria growing in my lungs. So all in all, it's been a really rough 3 years and I'm pretty nervous about this MAC treatment but i have learned to live my life one day at a time anymore. I was working part time prior to last year, but after being admitted to the hospital 6 times last year, i ended up applying for SS disability and was approved. I am divorced but I have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren who are all super supportive and helpful and I couldn't do this without them but it has been hard on them as well. My daughters get frustrated a lot because they don't really see me getting a whole lot better and that worries them. But they also have a hard time trusting in the dr's anymore because it did take so long for a diagnosis. I've had a lot of changes in my life over the last year but the main thing has just been trying to figure out what CF is and what that means for me and for my family as well. I haven't felt good in a long time. I still don't have any energy, my lungs hurt all the time and i just have lots of other pains that we haven't found the cause for yet but the dr's keep saying it's all probably due to chronic infection and inflammation and also because of the MAC. I think that finally getting the CF diagnosis was somewhat of a relief though, it was like ah, no wonder i have been feeling this way my whole life. No wonder i coughed all the time and had chronic sinus problems and then of course the bronchieactasis. And finding this site has been a lifesaver. I have been lurking here for awhile but this is the first time I have responded to anyone. Everyone here is so knowledgeable and helpful and just listening to them talk about what they go through makes me feel better knowing that I am not alone. My extended family members don't understand what i have been through or what CF is. They say things to me like, "well you look good" or "you don't sound sick" and they wonder why i can't seem to get my life back to normal again. So coming here helps me to understand the ins and outs of this complicated diagnosis and makes me feel better about where i am at right now. How about you? What has been your experience and what are your thoughts on your late diagnosis?
