I just wanted to reassure you "young ones" that you can lead a perfectly normal life so don't let anyone bring you down. In a family of 5 kids (I am the 3rd) I am the only one with CF but I have accomplished more than my siblings. I am the only one to graduate high school (with Honors) and then I went on to a community college and got a degree in Business. I was getting my sickest toward the end of high school and in college. I missed a lot of school but I didn't let it stand in the way. I also played flute in school but never did any sports....I couldn't even participate in gym class. I was diagnosed with liver disease and an enlarged spleen when I was 14....so for those of you who have the liver problems, I completely understand!
Right after college, I got married and moved to a completey different area (although within the same state). We bought a house in 2003 and I was on and off IV's a lot. I started to get worse and in November 2004 is when I found out that I needed lung and liver transplants. Even with that news, I continued to work and I still went on a cruise in January 2005 and it was awesome.
I started my Tx evaluations at the Cleveland Clinic in June 2005, had more appointments in July, and then had to stop because I was pregnant. I was told not to go through with the pregnancy because I was so sick, but I did anyway and my son was born 7 weeks early but healthy. I started evaluations again in March 2006 (which is also when I stopped left my job permanently but hadn't worked since Sep 2005) and soon after went on O2 24/7. I was listed for the double lung and liver Tx in August 2006, was hospitalized a lot then sent home for the holidays and my sons first birthday, and then went right back to Cleveland Clinic for a large lung bleed and to wait for the transplants. I has the transplants in January 2007 and have been enjoying my life like I never thought that I could. My son is now 2 1/2 and I stay at home with him. I have gone on a hot air balloon ride, taken a trip to WA, and a few other things that I probably would not have done hadn't I gotten the Tx.
I hope that this helps anyone who may think that you can't have a normal life with CF because you absolutely can!!