NYCLawGirl
New member
Talk to your CF doc about a comprehensive round of allergy testing to identify potential allergens and triggers for your daughter. This will give you a really good starting point to know what products/environmental factors might be harmful (whether chemicals, dairy products, dust, mold, etc) and which you can be more relaxed about. You'll know whether you really do need to insist that she stay away from a friend's dog, for example. It's also just a really good idea for anyone with CF, in my opinion.
As Amy suggested, stay up with the latest in CF research and talk to your clinic frequently about new developments in meds, airway clearance techniques, etc. Sometimes doctors get in a habit of prescribing certain things, and it's good to know if there are other options out there and discuss whether they might work better for your daughter, personally.
Encourage her to have as normal, active a childhood as possible. Exercise can really improve overall lung health and bring down allergic/inflammatory responses. Unless your kid has serious grass allergy (which testing would reveal), the benefits of playing soccer outside (for example) in the fresh air are going to WAY outweigh the potential for harm.
HEPA air filters are good. Especially for use in rooms with carpets.
If Lexi is old enough to shower, run the water for a few minutes before allowing her to get in (to get rid of bacteria lurking in the shower head) and then leave a small window or a door open so the steam doesn't build up too much. Prevents mold/mildew (which you should be attacking with all you've got) and keeps yoru daughter from breathing in too much tap water mist, with all the bacteria that can hang out in there.
Remember your kid is a kid first, and a kid with CF second. Sounds like you're an awesome parent, but we all need a reminder every now and then not to let this disease rule every decision we make. Good luck!
As Amy suggested, stay up with the latest in CF research and talk to your clinic frequently about new developments in meds, airway clearance techniques, etc. Sometimes doctors get in a habit of prescribing certain things, and it's good to know if there are other options out there and discuss whether they might work better for your daughter, personally.
Encourage her to have as normal, active a childhood as possible. Exercise can really improve overall lung health and bring down allergic/inflammatory responses. Unless your kid has serious grass allergy (which testing would reveal), the benefits of playing soccer outside (for example) in the fresh air are going to WAY outweigh the potential for harm.
HEPA air filters are good. Especially for use in rooms with carpets.
If Lexi is old enough to shower, run the water for a few minutes before allowing her to get in (to get rid of bacteria lurking in the shower head) and then leave a small window or a door open so the steam doesn't build up too much. Prevents mold/mildew (which you should be attacking with all you've got) and keeps yoru daughter from breathing in too much tap water mist, with all the bacteria that can hang out in there.
Remember your kid is a kid first, and a kid with CF second. Sounds like you're an awesome parent, but we all need a reminder every now and then not to let this disease rule every decision we make. Good luck!