WHAT DID YOU DO

[littledebbie]

You know I know it's probably just me but the whole..."tell her she'll need a colostomy, tell her they'll stick a tube up her butt" just seems stupid to me. Teenagers have enough to deal wtih and Courtney doesn't seem like a REBELIOUS problem teenager.

To me she sounds forgetful. I agree with making sure she has a cute trendy small pill case filled and in every purse she owns ready to go and a back up one in her back pack (I have a ton of cute intersting pill box's...it's turning into a collection). I also agree with Lindsey...TALK to her. Ask her is the nagging is helping or making it worse. I'm 27 and sometimes I actually give my Mom permission to nag me about my pills if I know I'm going through a spurt of forgetting (it happens I don't know why) and then there are times I say ...okay permission rescinded thanks for your help..now STOP. Ask her if there's a friend at school she could enlist to give her the old wink and nod after lunch to help remind her...If memory serves most Courtney's friends know about her health right? So maybe a best friend. In highschool my friends knew...and trust me they wanted me to remember my pills as much as anyone <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[littledebbie]

You know I know it's probably just me but the whole..."tell her she'll need a colostomy, tell her they'll stick a tube up her butt" just seems stupid to me. Teenagers have enough to deal wtih and Courtney doesn't seem like a REBELIOUS problem teenager.

To me she sounds forgetful. I agree with making sure she has a cute trendy small pill case filled and in every purse she owns ready to go and a back up one in her back pack (I have a ton of cute intersting pill box's...it's turning into a collection). I also agree with Lindsey...TALK to her. Ask her is the nagging is helping or making it worse. I'm 27 and sometimes I actually give my Mom permission to nag me about my pills if I know I'm going through a spurt of forgetting (it happens I don't know why) and then there are times I say ...okay permission rescinded thanks for your help..now STOP. Ask her if there's a friend at school she could enlist to give her the old wink and nod after lunch to help remind her...If memory serves most Courtney's friends know about her health right? So maybe a best friend. In highschool my friends knew...and trust me they wanted me to remember my pills as much as anyone <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[lightNlife]

Personally, I don't know any of us CFers who haven't done the enzyme skipping routine. Moreover, I don't know any who are any worse for wear.

Shocking/reasoning/scaring/pleading is simply not going to work. Although I don't think she should go without a very stern parental admonishment, in some sense you're just going to have to let her do her own stupid thing on this one. Punish the disobedient behavior, but don't go nuts with trying to explain the consequences from a CF point of view. I was a teenager once and all the info in the world won't make a difference to someone who thinks she's invincible (as most teens do).

Something that may hit home for her is to tell her that the belly button piercing that she thinks is so wonderful and cool looking is going to look rather disgusting on a bloated belly that is sure to happen if she continues to refuse the enzymes.

Could an underlying factor be that there's so much emphasis on being thin? I would hardly think that at least on some level she may skip the enzymes because it's harder to put on weight without them. Sounds backwards and weird, but since she has expressed interest in being a model...

 

[lightNlife]

Personally, I don't know any of us CFers who haven't done the enzyme skipping routine. Moreover, I don't know any who are any worse for wear.

Shocking/reasoning/scaring/pleading is simply not going to work. Although I don't think she should go without a very stern parental admonishment, in some sense you're just going to have to let her do her own stupid thing on this one. Punish the disobedient behavior, but don't go nuts with trying to explain the consequences from a CF point of view. I was a teenager once and all the info in the world won't make a difference to someone who thinks she's invincible (as most teens do).

Something that may hit home for her is to tell her that the belly button piercing that she thinks is so wonderful and cool looking is going to look rather disgusting on a bloated belly that is sure to happen if she continues to refuse the enzymes.

Could an underlying factor be that there's so much emphasis on being thin? I would hardly think that at least on some level she may skip the enzymes because it's harder to put on weight without them. Sounds backwards and weird, but since she has expressed interest in being a model...

 

[lightNlife]

Personally, I don't know any of us CFers who haven't done the enzyme skipping routine. Moreover, I don't know any who are any worse for wear.

Shocking/reasoning/scaring/pleading is simply not going to work. Although I don't think she should go without a very stern parental admonishment, in some sense you're just going to have to let her do her own stupid thing on this one. Punish the disobedient behavior, but don't go nuts with trying to explain the consequences from a CF point of view. I was a teenager once and all the info in the world won't make a difference to someone who thinks she's invincible (as most teens do).

Something that may hit home for her is to tell her that the belly button piercing that she thinks is so wonderful and cool looking is going to look rather disgusting on a bloated belly that is sure to happen if she continues to refuse the enzymes.

Could an underlying factor be that there's so much emphasis on being thin? I would hardly think that at least on some level she may skip the enzymes because it's harder to put on weight without them. Sounds backwards and weird, but since she has expressed interest in being a model...

 

[Seana30]

Thank you all SOOO much for all of the advice! It is wonderful to have a place to go, pose a question, and get so much helpful advice.

I don't think the "scaring her with a colonoscopy" will work. She has already been through it all. Colonoscopy, endoscopy, NG tubes, etc.....shes had it all done.

Courtney is not a rebellious girl, she is just a teenager who thinks she knows it all.......and I completely understand that. I am a pretty young mom and remember what those days were like.

I really do not believe (but could be wrong) she is trying to lose weight. Some of the kids still make fun of her because she is so skinny.

I will try to talk to her, although I wonder if I would get a better response if I text her.......lol. That seems to be all she does anymore....text her friends.

Again, thank you all very much! You have really helped!!!!

Seana

 

[Seana30]

Thank you all SOOO much for all of the advice! It is wonderful to have a place to go, pose a question, and get so much helpful advice.

I don't think the "scaring her with a colonoscopy" will work. She has already been through it all. Colonoscopy, endoscopy, NG tubes, etc.....shes had it all done.

Courtney is not a rebellious girl, she is just a teenager who thinks she knows it all.......and I completely understand that. I am a pretty young mom and remember what those days were like.

I really do not believe (but could be wrong) she is trying to lose weight. Some of the kids still make fun of her because she is so skinny.

I will try to talk to her, although I wonder if I would get a better response if I text her.......lol. That seems to be all she does anymore....text her friends.

Again, thank you all very much! You have really helped!!!!

Seana

 

[Seana30]

Thank you all SOOO much for all of the advice! It is wonderful to have a place to go, pose a question, and get so much helpful advice.

I don't think the "scaring her with a colonoscopy" will work. She has already been through it all. Colonoscopy, endoscopy, NG tubes, etc.....shes had it all done.

Courtney is not a rebellious girl, she is just a teenager who thinks she knows it all.......and I completely understand that. I am a pretty young mom and remember what those days were like.

I really do not believe (but could be wrong) she is trying to lose weight. Some of the kids still make fun of her because she is so skinny.

I will try to talk to her, although I wonder if I would get a better response if I text her.......lol. That seems to be all she does anymore....text her friends.

Again, thank you all very much! You have really helped!!!!

Seana

 

[mum2kj]

My daughter is 14 going on 15 and she is getting to be really good with physio and meds.
When she is home her enzymes are usually taken with most food, I do ask her if she has taken them though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Most of the times when asked she has taken them but sometimes she has forgotten. So asking if they have taken them is a good thing I think. So long as it's not in an accusatory way.

School is a different thing, she just wont take her enzymes there at all. and it has been this way since she started highschool. Primary school was good she took them there but being a teen who doesn't want to stand out from the crowd, she just wont take them at highschool. She is year 10 this year so I'm hoping she will say stuff what everyone thinks and just take them lol (think I'm dreaming there)

But over all this time she hasn't taken them at school, she has never had any problems with blockages but then again
she did have a perforated bowel at birth and alot of her small intestine was removed and she has loose bowels no matter how many enzymes she takes.

I knew a 6yr old cfer "no Longer here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> " She used to hide all her tablets behind the fridge so her mum thought she was taking them but she wasn't.

I think most cfer's go through the not taking/forgetting enzyme's phase and hopefully they end up outgrowing it <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope you and Courtney get it sorted. best of luck <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[mum2kj]

My daughter is 14 going on 15 and she is getting to be really good with physio and meds.
When she is home her enzymes are usually taken with most food, I do ask her if she has taken them though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Most of the times when asked she has taken them but sometimes she has forgotten. So asking if they have taken them is a good thing I think. So long as it's not in an accusatory way.

School is a different thing, she just wont take her enzymes there at all. and it has been this way since she started highschool. Primary school was good she took them there but being a teen who doesn't want to stand out from the crowd, she just wont take them at highschool. She is year 10 this year so I'm hoping she will say stuff what everyone thinks and just take them lol (think I'm dreaming there)

But over all this time she hasn't taken them at school, she has never had any problems with blockages but then again
she did have a perforated bowel at birth and alot of her small intestine was removed and she has loose bowels no matter how many enzymes she takes.

I knew a 6yr old cfer "no Longer here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> " She used to hide all her tablets behind the fridge so her mum thought she was taking them but she wasn't.

I think most cfer's go through the not taking/forgetting enzyme's phase and hopefully they end up outgrowing it <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope you and Courtney get it sorted. best of luck <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[mum2kj]

My daughter is 14 going on 15 and she is getting to be really good with physio and meds.
When she is home her enzymes are usually taken with most food, I do ask her if she has taken them though <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Most of the times when asked she has taken them but sometimes she has forgotten. So asking if they have taken them is a good thing I think. So long as it's not in an accusatory way.

School is a different thing, she just wont take her enzymes there at all. and it has been this way since she started highschool. Primary school was good she took them there but being a teen who doesn't want to stand out from the crowd, she just wont take them at highschool. She is year 10 this year so I'm hoping she will say stuff what everyone thinks and just take them lol (think I'm dreaming there)

But over all this time she hasn't taken them at school, she has never had any problems with blockages but then again
she did have a perforated bowel at birth and alot of her small intestine was removed and she has loose bowels no matter how many enzymes she takes.

I knew a 6yr old cfer "no Longer here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> " She used to hide all her tablets behind the fridge so her mum thought she was taking them but she wasn't.

I think most cfer's go through the not taking/forgetting enzyme's phase and hopefully they end up outgrowing it <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I hope you and Courtney get it sorted. best of luck <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ToddH]

Well, growing up I was in an interesting situation, see my own mother was the lead CF dietitian at the Children's Hospital I would go to. Despite all this tho I still never took my enzymes with any true diligence. It wasn't that I was rebelling, for whatever reasons it wasn't high enough on my priority scale to remember them. I'd be at school, my enzymes would be in my bag, but I'd forget them cause me and my friends would want to eat quick and get on with whatever we were going to do for lunch hour. Even in the evenings at home my mom would remind me to get them after a meal, and I'd give the two token answers of "Yeah I took 'em Mom" even if I couldn't remember if I had or "No but I'll get them" and then never did. My not remembering enzymes was very frustrating for her given her professional occupation. She would threaten me with all the risks and dangers and it still made no difference. In the end the thing that changed was I grew up, got my priorities straight and things were fine. As scary as it is its something the person has to take control of themselves not because someone else is forcing them. I was fortunate that I never had to go through any negative repercussions because of my laziness, in the end I guess we jsut hope that the person realizes whats best for themselves before they do to much damage to themselves.

 

[ToddH]

Well, growing up I was in an interesting situation, see my own mother was the lead CF dietitian at the Children's Hospital I would go to. Despite all this tho I still never took my enzymes with any true diligence. It wasn't that I was rebelling, for whatever reasons it wasn't high enough on my priority scale to remember them. I'd be at school, my enzymes would be in my bag, but I'd forget them cause me and my friends would want to eat quick and get on with whatever we were going to do for lunch hour. Even in the evenings at home my mom would remind me to get them after a meal, and I'd give the two token answers of "Yeah I took 'em Mom" even if I couldn't remember if I had or "No but I'll get them" and then never did. My not remembering enzymes was very frustrating for her given her professional occupation. She would threaten me with all the risks and dangers and it still made no difference. In the end the thing that changed was I grew up, got my priorities straight and things were fine. As scary as it is its something the person has to take control of themselves not because someone else is forcing them. I was fortunate that I never had to go through any negative repercussions because of my laziness, in the end I guess we jsut hope that the person realizes whats best for themselves before they do to much damage to themselves.

 

[ToddH]

Well, growing up I was in an interesting situation, see my own mother was the lead CF dietitian at the Children's Hospital I would go to. Despite all this tho I still never took my enzymes with any true diligence. It wasn't that I was rebelling, for whatever reasons it wasn't high enough on my priority scale to remember them. I'd be at school, my enzymes would be in my bag, but I'd forget them cause me and my friends would want to eat quick and get on with whatever we were going to do for lunch hour. Even in the evenings at home my mom would remind me to get them after a meal, and I'd give the two token answers of "Yeah I took 'em Mom" even if I couldn't remember if I had or "No but I'll get them" and then never did. My not remembering enzymes was very frustrating for her given her professional occupation. She would threaten me with all the risks and dangers and it still made no difference. In the end the thing that changed was I grew up, got my priorities straight and things were fine. As scary as it is its something the person has to take control of themselves not because someone else is forcing them. I was fortunate that I never had to go through any negative repercussions because of my laziness, in the end I guess we jsut hope that the person realizes whats best for themselves before they do to much damage to themselves.

 

[65rosessamurai]

I thought that a teenager being a 'know-it-all' coincided with teen-rebellion.

(skipping through most everyone else's comments...)
I recall the same feelings I think she is thinking..."Mom's always on my case about my health", etc. etc. I never really recall having too much support from my siblings, nor even from the small amount of friends I had, or even my older sister's friends.

The only thing I can think of that might be a little more logical would be from LouLou's (Lauren) suggestion to get more support from her older sister, or even her younger sister. Perhaps by telling the older sister how important it is for Courtney to be taking her enzymes, etc., perhaps the 'parents know-it-all' may not become an issue when talking to her sister, Lauren.
Another thought is by finding out from Courtney if by not taking enzymes, whether she has gastrointestinal issues (loose and oily stools, constant stomach aches and running to the bathroom frequently). and then introduce her to try and see if taking the enzymes on a regular basis (say, for a week) would decrease that problem. Perhaps if she discovers that, she would be more open to at least trying to take the enzymes.
And, one last point is of course, to acknowledge if she has been trying to take care of herself or not. If she shows effort, but has very little results, she should still be commended on the effort, and make changes to it for better results.

This is some of the stuff I wish I could have been introduced to when I was a teen! (besides maybe getting an allowance bonus for good health!! hehe!)

 

[65rosessamurai]

I thought that a teenager being a 'know-it-all' coincided with teen-rebellion.

(skipping through most everyone else's comments...)
I recall the same feelings I think she is thinking..."Mom's always on my case about my health", etc. etc. I never really recall having too much support from my siblings, nor even from the small amount of friends I had, or even my older sister's friends.

The only thing I can think of that might be a little more logical would be from LouLou's (Lauren) suggestion to get more support from her older sister, or even her younger sister. Perhaps by telling the older sister how important it is for Courtney to be taking her enzymes, etc., perhaps the 'parents know-it-all' may not become an issue when talking to her sister, Lauren.
Another thought is by finding out from Courtney if by not taking enzymes, whether she has gastrointestinal issues (loose and oily stools, constant stomach aches and running to the bathroom frequently). and then introduce her to try and see if taking the enzymes on a regular basis (say, for a week) would decrease that problem. Perhaps if she discovers that, she would be more open to at least trying to take the enzymes.
And, one last point is of course, to acknowledge if she has been trying to take care of herself or not. If she shows effort, but has very little results, she should still be commended on the effort, and make changes to it for better results.

This is some of the stuff I wish I could have been introduced to when I was a teen! (besides maybe getting an allowance bonus for good health!! hehe!)

 

[65rosessamurai]

I thought that a teenager being a 'know-it-all' coincided with teen-rebellion.

(skipping through most everyone else's comments...)
I recall the same feelings I think she is thinking..."Mom's always on my case about my health", etc. etc. I never really recall having too much support from my siblings, nor even from the small amount of friends I had, or even my older sister's friends.

The only thing I can think of that might be a little more logical would be from LouLou's (Lauren) suggestion to get more support from her older sister, or even her younger sister. Perhaps by telling the older sister how important it is for Courtney to be taking her enzymes, etc., perhaps the 'parents know-it-all' may not become an issue when talking to her sister, Lauren.
Another thought is by finding out from Courtney if by not taking enzymes, whether she has gastrointestinal issues (loose and oily stools, constant stomach aches and running to the bathroom frequently). and then introduce her to try and see if taking the enzymes on a regular basis (say, for a week) would decrease that problem. Perhaps if she discovers that, she would be more open to at least trying to take the enzymes.
And, one last point is of course, to acknowledge if she has been trying to take care of herself or not. If she shows effort, but has very little results, she should still be commended on the effort, and make changes to it for better results.

This is some of the stuff I wish I could have been introduced to when I was a teen! (besides maybe getting an allowance bonus for good health!! hehe!)

 

[wanderlost]

Lindsey's (Coltsfan715) reply really reminded me of something, and I wonder if a lot of Courtney's deal probably has to do simply with mother/daughter relationships. Lindsey said,

I hated that I had to feel different and MOST of all I HATED that everytime I ate with my mother she asked me if I had taken my medicine. I always said yes even if I hadn't and a part of me refused to take it if she asked about it.

I will be 30 years old in July. My mom still asks if I have remembered my enzymes. I know, as a mom myself, that this is out of love and concern, but it still annoys me and I still give snippy remarks like,"no, I've decided I just don't need them anymore." It's just because it's my mom...what can I say...my kids will probably do the same to me - but as moms we just keep plugging away.

 

[wanderlost]

Lindsey's (Coltsfan715) reply really reminded me of something, and I wonder if a lot of Courtney's deal probably has to do simply with mother/daughter relationships. Lindsey said,

I hated that I had to feel different and MOST of all I HATED that everytime I ate with my mother she asked me if I had taken my medicine. I always said yes even if I hadn't and a part of me refused to take it if she asked about it.

I will be 30 years old in July. My mom still asks if I have remembered my enzymes. I know, as a mom myself, that this is out of love and concern, but it still annoys me and I still give snippy remarks like,"no, I've decided I just don't need them anymore." It's just because it's my mom...what can I say...my kids will probably do the same to me - but as moms we just keep plugging away.

 

[wanderlost]

Lindsey's (Coltsfan715) reply really reminded me of something, and I wonder if a lot of Courtney's deal probably has to do simply with mother/daughter relationships. Lindsey said,

I hated that I had to feel different and MOST of all I HATED that everytime I ate with my mother she asked me if I had taken my medicine. I always said yes even if I hadn't and a part of me refused to take it if she asked about it.

I will be 30 years old in July. My mom still asks if I have remembered my enzymes. I know, as a mom myself, that this is out of love and concern, but it still annoys me and I still give snippy remarks like,"no, I've decided I just don't need them anymore." It's just because it's my mom...what can I say...my kids will probably do the same to me - but as moms we just keep plugging away.