My father is 58 years old and just diagnosed this year w/ CF. He has had intestinal blockages his whole life, diabetes for years and recently battled with several awful cases of pneumonia. This finally prompted one of his doctors to test for CF. He tested positive and jumped right on the wagon to do treatments and visit John's Hopkins. He seems to be doing really well physically (gaining some weight and going on lighter/different diabetes medication). However, I feel like he is very down about the whole situation. For one, if someone had looked at this possibility sooner, could he have avoided the over a dozen surgeries to remove intestinal blockages? Anyway, he is remaining positive to me (brave face). Although I'm sure he talks to my mother about his feelings more.
I feel selfish, but I'm also curious about what this means for me. I'm 26f and am married and wants kids some day. Should my husband and myself be tested for the gene mutations? My little sister has had pneumonia bouts for her entire life. No one has ever thought about CF, but maybe she should now be tested? Also, my older sister is a childhood diabetic. Does this mean anything?
I'm so new to this disease. I feel like there's such vague information on the internet and I don't want to pester my dad about what he's learned. I feel like it might make him sadder to talk about it. One thing that weighs heavy on my heart is that, while it is awesome that my dad just now is dealing with the horrible symptoms and time-draining treatments, does this give any indication of his life expectancy? I want to believe that my parents are invincible and this is creating a bit of a dent in that armor. Are there any old (like, 80s) CF patients out there? Can I hold hope that my dad will be around to watch my children grow up and go to college? I want to learn so much and feel as though it's hard to find a starting place. Can anyone advise?
I'm sorry for the multiple questions in one thread.
Thank you for any words of wisdom you might be able to offer.
I feel selfish, but I'm also curious about what this means for me. I'm 26f and am married and wants kids some day. Should my husband and myself be tested for the gene mutations? My little sister has had pneumonia bouts for her entire life. No one has ever thought about CF, but maybe she should now be tested? Also, my older sister is a childhood diabetic. Does this mean anything?
I'm so new to this disease. I feel like there's such vague information on the internet and I don't want to pester my dad about what he's learned. I feel like it might make him sadder to talk about it. One thing that weighs heavy on my heart is that, while it is awesome that my dad just now is dealing with the horrible symptoms and time-draining treatments, does this give any indication of his life expectancy? I want to believe that my parents are invincible and this is creating a bit of a dent in that armor. Are there any old (like, 80s) CF patients out there? Can I hold hope that my dad will be around to watch my children grow up and go to college? I want to learn so much and feel as though it's hard to find a starting place. Can anyone advise?
I'm sorry for the multiple questions in one thread.
Thank you for any words of wisdom you might be able to offer.