-Melanie,
Yes, I do have CF. I was diagnosed at 7 years of age (I always thought it was 8 and a half until I found out recently)
I am now 40. CF is a genetic disorder generally found in caucasian, so it is not considered an asian genetic disorder.
The first wife, who knew nothing about CF, said I'd be fine in Japan, there'd be someone to care for me. Boy, was I taken for!! No one knows what CF is, nor how to treat it. However, the ex was in a bigger shock than me when we discovered I was sterile. Needless, the rest of the 10 year marriage was less than happy. It wasn't until after I divorced her that I took my own initiative to find out my health status and methods for the right treatment.
I did find a doctor I feel I can trust, and who is willing to learn a little more about CF.
My sister in the U.S. is a Physican Assistant, and knows many (good) doctors. I had the opportunity to see one (with no insurance) and find out I'm doing fine, but to not ignore the basics for CF treatment. (lungs, digestion)
My health insurance in Japan will not cover a visit to a doctor in the U.S., so my sister is asking me to return to the states with my second wife as soon as I'm able. Either that, or she hopes I can get a "G" job, working in Okinawa, at least.
I mentioned in another portion of this forum that Japan is great to visit, but not a place for CF patients to live. (And not a place for Americans to live the rest of their lives!). However, the food is one of the best suitable for CF. Low fat, high salt, lots of protein. And rice is one carbohydrate that does not induce gas.
