So When Do We Tell Our Friends About Our CF?

[Littlemiss]

I have always been the kind of person who would not tell anyone, but lately I have had the feeling that it would be better to tell. I have an older and younger brother w/cf. The older one always told everyone, even when we were at highschool, but he has always been more confident. I guess I just didn't want people to think of me as 'that girl with the disease...', I'd rather be 'the smart girl' or even 'the short girl' (lol!).
When I was 16 I told my boyfriend and he was like 'oh, OK...' then he went home and looked it up on the internet and (I have heard) cried all night. We are married now (8 years in November <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> )
I have found that when i started to make it more common knowledge it helped because then people were more understanding about the coughing and weren't always saying 'that's a nasty cough..' they were more careful about being around me when they had a cough or cold as well.

Overall I think telling is better, but I still don't do it.

AJ

 

[Littlemiss]

I have always been the kind of person who would not tell anyone, but lately I have had the feeling that it would be better to tell. I have an older and younger brother w/cf. The older one always told everyone, even when we were at highschool, but he has always been more confident. I guess I just didn't want people to think of me as 'that girl with the disease...', I'd rather be 'the smart girl' or even 'the short girl' (lol!).
When I was 16 I told my boyfriend and he was like 'oh, OK...' then he went home and looked it up on the internet and (I have heard) cried all night. We are married now (8 years in November <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> )
I have found that when i started to make it more common knowledge it helped because then people were more understanding about the coughing and weren't always saying 'that's a nasty cough..' they were more careful about being around me when they had a cough or cold as well.

Overall I think telling is better, but I still don't do it.

AJ

 

[Littlemiss]

I have always been the kind of person who would not tell anyone, but lately I have had the feeling that it would be better to tell. I have an older and younger brother w/cf. The older one always told everyone, even when we were at highschool, but he has always been more confident. I guess I just didn't want people to think of me as 'that girl with the disease...', I'd rather be 'the smart girl' or even 'the short girl' (lol!).
When I was 16 I told my boyfriend and he was like 'oh, OK...' then he went home and looked it up on the internet and (I have heard) cried all night. We are married now (8 years in November <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> )
I have found that when i started to make it more common knowledge it helped because then people were more understanding about the coughing and weren't always saying 'that's a nasty cough..' they were more careful about being around me when they had a cough or cold as well.

Overall I think telling is better, but I still don't do it.

AJ

 

[Littlemiss]

I have always been the kind of person who would not tell anyone, but lately I have had the feeling that it would be better to tell. I have an older and younger brother w/cf. The older one always told everyone, even when we were at highschool, but he has always been more confident. I guess I just didn't want people to think of me as 'that girl with the disease...', I'd rather be 'the smart girl' or even 'the short girl' (lol!).
When I was 16 I told my boyfriend and he was like 'oh, OK...' then he went home and looked it up on the internet and (I have heard) cried all night. We are married now (8 years in November <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> )
I have found that when i started to make it more common knowledge it helped because then people were more understanding about the coughing and weren't always saying 'that's a nasty cough..' they were more careful about being around me when they had a cough or cold as well.

Overall I think telling is better, but I still don't do it.

AJ

 

[Littlemiss]

I have always been the kind of person who would not tell anyone, but lately I have had the feeling that it would be better to tell. I have an older and younger brother w/cf. The older one always told everyone, even when we were at highschool, but he has always been more confident. I guess I just didn't want people to think of me as 'that girl with the disease...', I'd rather be 'the smart girl' or even 'the short girl' (lol!).
<br />When I was 16 I told my boyfriend and he was like 'oh, OK...' then he went home and looked it up on the internet and (I have heard) cried all night. We are married now (8 years in November <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> )
<br />I have found that when i started to make it more common knowledge it helped because then people were more understanding about the coughing and weren't always saying 'that's a nasty cough..' they were more careful about being around me when they had a cough or cold as well.
<br />
<br />Overall I think telling is better, but I still don't do it.
<br />
<br />AJ

 

[jdubbs]

He Ronnie - I don't really have a great answer for you. There are a few friends I think I am ready to tell, but there never seems to be a great time. OFten other people, who I don't feel comfortable sharing with, are around. I'm going on a bikeride today, and the air quality around here is probably gonna make me cough more than usual. (I am going to have to think about driving the bike out of the city before my rides.) I might have to fess up to this guy. I think i'd make more "sense" to people if they knew. While I appreciate the open lifestyle, I'm not there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally open about it, but I could inform more friends who really should know.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>RonnieSharpe</b></i>

Hey James- Can I ask you why you hide it? I see you were born in 76 which make you around 33...Do you think people in their 30's would have a judgmental or immature reaction to CF?

Ronnie</end quote></div>

 

[jdubbs]

He Ronnie - I don't really have a great answer for you. There are a few friends I think I am ready to tell, but there never seems to be a great time. OFten other people, who I don't feel comfortable sharing with, are around. I'm going on a bikeride today, and the air quality around here is probably gonna make me cough more than usual. (I am going to have to think about driving the bike out of the city before my rides.) I might have to fess up to this guy. I think i'd make more "sense" to people if they knew. While I appreciate the open lifestyle, I'm not there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally open about it, but I could inform more friends who really should know.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>RonnieSharpe</b></i>

Hey James- Can I ask you why you hide it? I see you were born in 76 which make you around 33...Do you think people in their 30's would have a judgmental or immature reaction to CF?

Ronnie</end quote></div>

 

[jdubbs]

He Ronnie - I don't really have a great answer for you. There are a few friends I think I am ready to tell, but there never seems to be a great time. OFten other people, who I don't feel comfortable sharing with, are around. I'm going on a bikeride today, and the air quality around here is probably gonna make me cough more than usual. (I am going to have to think about driving the bike out of the city before my rides.) I might have to fess up to this guy. I think i'd make more "sense" to people if they knew. While I appreciate the open lifestyle, I'm not there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally open about it, but I could inform more friends who really should know.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>RonnieSharpe</b></i>

Hey James- Can I ask you why you hide it? I see you were born in 76 which make you around 33...Do you think people in their 30's would have a judgmental or immature reaction to CF?

Ronnie</end quote></div>

 

[jdubbs]

He Ronnie - I don't really have a great answer for you. There are a few friends I think I am ready to tell, but there never seems to be a great time. OFten other people, who I don't feel comfortable sharing with, are around. I'm going on a bikeride today, and the air quality around here is probably gonna make me cough more than usual. (I am going to have to think about driving the bike out of the city before my rides.) I might have to fess up to this guy. I think i'd make more "sense" to people if they knew. While I appreciate the open lifestyle, I'm not there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally open about it, but I could inform more friends who really should know.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>RonnieSharpe</b></i>

Hey James- Can I ask you why you hide it? I see you were born in 76 which make you around 33...Do you think people in their 30's would have a judgmental or immature reaction to CF?

Ronnie</end quote>

 

[jdubbs]

He Ronnie - I don't really have a great answer for you. There are a few friends I think I am ready to tell, but there never seems to be a great time. OFten other people, who I don't feel comfortable sharing with, are around. I'm going on a bikeride today, and the air quality around here is probably gonna make me cough more than usual. (I am going to have to think about driving the bike out of the city before my rides.) I might have to fess up to this guy. I think i'd make more "sense" to people if they knew. While I appreciate the open lifestyle, I'm not there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally open about it, but I could inform more friends who really should know.
<br />
<br /><div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>RonnieSharpe</b></i>
<br />
<br />Hey James- Can I ask you why you hide it? I see you were born in 76 which make you around 33...Do you think people in their 30's would have a judgmental or immature reaction to CF?
<br />
<br />Ronnie</end quote>
<br />
<br />

 

[RonnieSharpe]

James- I hear ya on the air quality thing. We have air advisories all of the time it seems like in Phoenix and Tucson. As far as being open, you definitely have to be comfortable and share when you're ready. Another thing I've done in the past is "sharing through wearing" (I just made that up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) I've worn a blue CF Awareness rubber bracelet since they came out and I often get people who ask me "What's that for?" I tell them CF and they then ask "Oh, you know somebody who has that?" I then say, actually I have it. That's usually followed by an "Oh, ok" and that's that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You could also tell your friend about an "awesome" new blog you found called RunSickboyRun.com and introduce him to CF that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Have a great ride and a great day!

Ronnie

 

[RonnieSharpe]

James- I hear ya on the air quality thing. We have air advisories all of the time it seems like in Phoenix and Tucson. As far as being open, you definitely have to be comfortable and share when you're ready. Another thing I've done in the past is "sharing through wearing" (I just made that up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) I've worn a blue CF Awareness rubber bracelet since they came out and I often get people who ask me "What's that for?" I tell them CF and they then ask "Oh, you know somebody who has that?" I then say, actually I have it. That's usually followed by an "Oh, ok" and that's that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You could also tell your friend about an "awesome" new blog you found called RunSickboyRun.com and introduce him to CF that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Have a great ride and a great day!

Ronnie

 

[RonnieSharpe]

James- I hear ya on the air quality thing. We have air advisories all of the time it seems like in Phoenix and Tucson. As far as being open, you definitely have to be comfortable and share when you're ready. Another thing I've done in the past is "sharing through wearing" (I just made that up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) I've worn a blue CF Awareness rubber bracelet since they came out and I often get people who ask me "What's that for?" I tell them CF and they then ask "Oh, you know somebody who has that?" I then say, actually I have it. That's usually followed by an "Oh, ok" and that's that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You could also tell your friend about an "awesome" new blog you found called RunSickboyRun.com and introduce him to CF that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Have a great ride and a great day!

Ronnie

 

[RonnieSharpe]

James- I hear ya on the air quality thing. We have air advisories all of the time it seems like in Phoenix and Tucson. As far as being open, you definitely have to be comfortable and share when you're ready. Another thing I've done in the past is "sharing through wearing" (I just made that up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) I've worn a blue CF Awareness rubber bracelet since they came out and I often get people who ask me "What's that for?" I tell them CF and they then ask "Oh, you know somebody who has that?" I then say, actually I have it. That's usually followed by an "Oh, ok" and that's that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You could also tell your friend about an "awesome" new blog you found called RunSickboyRun.com and introduce him to CF that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Have a great ride and a great day!

Ronnie

 

[RonnieSharpe]

James- I hear ya on the air quality thing. We have air advisories all of the time it seems like in Phoenix and Tucson. As far as being open, you definitely have to be comfortable and share when you're ready. Another thing I've done in the past is "sharing through wearing" (I just made that up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) I've worn a blue CF Awareness rubber bracelet since they came out and I often get people who ask me "What's that for?" I tell them CF and they then ask "Oh, you know somebody who has that?" I then say, actually I have it. That's usually followed by an "Oh, ok" and that's that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />You could also tell your friend about an "awesome" new blog you found called RunSickboyRun.com and introduce him to CF that way <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Just kidding. Have a great ride and a great day!
<br />
<br />Ronnie

 

[Giggles]

I was not open at all growing up. I told serious boyfriends and my best friend in high school but that is really it. I find out now from FB people from HS knew, word gets around. Some in high school they knew but not really the particulars of it all. In college I did not talk about it AT ALL with my sorority sisters! But when I look back now I think being more open would have been better cause it would rally people around me when I needed it. It was just in College I would NEVER want ANYONE to know but I am sure people did cause I always had my own room but it just was not talked about and people did not even ask me about it. I found and even now, I think it is so hard for people to truly comprehend the seriousness of it all cause 1. I play it down and 2. I do not look AT ALL like anything is wrong with me....So, I have found it is hard for people to really understand or even realize what I go through etc. I even have family members and friends of family that do not even realize.
But now that I am older I share it all the time and could care less who knows. I am proud of who I am how far I have come but it is REALLY hard when your in a situation when you want to "belong" or trying to date or serious boyfriends etc.

I guess it comes down to just how comfortable you are with your CF and sharing it. I think we all in due time and in our own time get to feel comfortable with sharing it. At least now people have heard of it and it is not like when I was younger.

People always use to think I had MS..weird but I think they just got confused cause CF has two letters too. Who knows, but I have gotten that alot!

Jennifer 37 with CF and CFRD

 

[Giggles]

I was not open at all growing up. I told serious boyfriends and my best friend in high school but that is really it. I find out now from FB people from HS knew, word gets around. Some in high school they knew but not really the particulars of it all. In college I did not talk about it AT ALL with my sorority sisters! But when I look back now I think being more open would have been better cause it would rally people around me when I needed it. It was just in College I would NEVER want ANYONE to know but I am sure people did cause I always had my own room but it just was not talked about and people did not even ask me about it. I found and even now, I think it is so hard for people to truly comprehend the seriousness of it all cause 1. I play it down and 2. I do not look AT ALL like anything is wrong with me....So, I have found it is hard for people to really understand or even realize what I go through etc. I even have family members and friends of family that do not even realize.
But now that I am older I share it all the time and could care less who knows. I am proud of who I am how far I have come but it is REALLY hard when your in a situation when you want to "belong" or trying to date or serious boyfriends etc.

I guess it comes down to just how comfortable you are with your CF and sharing it. I think we all in due time and in our own time get to feel comfortable with sharing it. At least now people have heard of it and it is not like when I was younger.

People always use to think I had MS..weird but I think they just got confused cause CF has two letters too. Who knows, but I have gotten that alot!

Jennifer 37 with CF and CFRD

 

[Giggles]

I was not open at all growing up. I told serious boyfriends and my best friend in high school but that is really it. I find out now from FB people from HS knew, word gets around. Some in high school they knew but not really the particulars of it all. In college I did not talk about it AT ALL with my sorority sisters! But when I look back now I think being more open would have been better cause it would rally people around me when I needed it. It was just in College I would NEVER want ANYONE to know but I am sure people did cause I always had my own room but it just was not talked about and people did not even ask me about it. I found and even now, I think it is so hard for people to truly comprehend the seriousness of it all cause 1. I play it down and 2. I do not look AT ALL like anything is wrong with me....So, I have found it is hard for people to really understand or even realize what I go through etc. I even have family members and friends of family that do not even realize.
But now that I am older I share it all the time and could care less who knows. I am proud of who I am how far I have come but it is REALLY hard when your in a situation when you want to "belong" or trying to date or serious boyfriends etc.

I guess it comes down to just how comfortable you are with your CF and sharing it. I think we all in due time and in our own time get to feel comfortable with sharing it. At least now people have heard of it and it is not like when I was younger.

People always use to think I had MS..weird but I think they just got confused cause CF has two letters too. Who knows, but I have gotten that alot!

Jennifer 37 with CF and CFRD

 

[Giggles]

I was not open at all growing up. I told serious boyfriends and my best friend in high school but that is really it. I find out now from FB people from HS knew, word gets around. Some in high school they knew but not really the particulars of it all. In college I did not talk about it AT ALL with my sorority sisters! But when I look back now I think being more open would have been better cause it would rally people around me when I needed it. It was just in College I would NEVER want ANYONE to know but I am sure people did cause I always had my own room but it just was not talked about and people did not even ask me about it. I found and even now, I think it is so hard for people to truly comprehend the seriousness of it all cause 1. I play it down and 2. I do not look AT ALL like anything is wrong with me....So, I have found it is hard for people to really understand or even realize what I go through etc. I even have family members and friends of family that do not even realize.
But now that I am older I share it all the time and could care less who knows. I am proud of who I am how far I have come but it is REALLY hard when your in a situation when you want to "belong" or trying to date or serious boyfriends etc.

I guess it comes down to just how comfortable you are with your CF and sharing it. I think we all in due time and in our own time get to feel comfortable with sharing it. At least now people have heard of it and it is not like when I was younger.

People always use to think I had MS..weird but I think they just got confused cause CF has two letters too. Who knows, but I have gotten that alot!

Jennifer 37 with CF and CFRD

 

[Giggles]

I was not open at all growing up. I told serious boyfriends and my best friend in high school but that is really it. I find out now from FB people from HS knew, word gets around. Some in high school they knew but not really the particulars of it all. In college I did not talk about it AT ALL with my sorority sisters! But when I look back now I think being more open would have been better cause it would rally people around me when I needed it. It was just in College I would NEVER want ANYONE to know but I am sure people did cause I always had my own room but it just was not talked about and people did not even ask me about it. I found and even now, I think it is so hard for people to truly comprehend the seriousness of it all cause 1. I play it down and 2. I do not look AT ALL like anything is wrong with me....So, I have found it is hard for people to really understand or even realize what I go through etc. I even have family members and friends of family that do not even realize.
<br />But now that I am older I share it all the time and could care less who knows. I am proud of who I am how far I have come but it is REALLY hard when your in a situation when you want to "belong" or trying to date or serious boyfriends etc.
<br />
<br />I guess it comes down to just how comfortable you are with your CF and sharing it. I think we all in due time and in our own time get to feel comfortable with sharing it. At least now people have heard of it and it is not like when I was younger.
<br />
<br />People always use to think I had MS..weird but I think they just got confused cause CF has two letters too. Who knows, but I have gotten that alot!
<br />
<br />Jennifer 37 with CF and CFRD