We get told some pretty scary things about CF from our kids doctors. Lots of it won't affect you. You don't have to worry about how to help our kids avoid diabetes or osteoporosis, you don't have to measure up the pros and cons of sending our kids to swimming lessons, you don't have to make sure that physio is done properly. And we don't expect you to worry about all of those things. That's our responsibility, our priveledge.
One of the scary things we are told about, is how a common cold, and other illnesses that are minor to most, can affect our child in the long term. What might be a day off school for your child, could very easily be a hospital admission for ours. A week of illness for your child could equal permanant lung damage for ours. Your child will feel better and be better. Our child may feel better, but all of these "little" illnesses shorten our childs life. That's just how it is.
Again, not your problem. Or is it? Being the mum of a CF child can be stressful and sometimes isolating. We don't want to lose friends, we need you more than ever. But we know more now, and our priorities may have changed slightly.
The good news is, it's easy for you to still be a good friend! There are just a few simple rules. These should help you out.
Accept that Cystic Fibrosis is serious.
One of the hardest things about CF is that our kids don't often look or act sick. And we don't really like reminding people. But the fact is, our kids have an incurable, life shortening, chronic illness that needs to be managed every single day. They are not the same as other children. We are not being cotton wool parents, we are keeping our children as healthy as we can for as long as we can.
Learn the basics.
We don't expect you to become an expert on the subject, but knowing the basics of the disease will help you understand why we are so anal about some things! In the smallest nutshell in the world: Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that causes the thickening of secretions in the bodies organs. This means that germs like to breed in the lungs, causing irreversible lung damage and eventually respiratory failure. If you would like to know more...ask! Your head won't get bitten off, I promise. Or you can check out the links at the bottom of the page. And no, they won't grow out of it.
Practice good hygeine.
Our kids don't need to be stuck in an antibacterial bubble. Practicing normal good hygeine will protect our kids. Wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. If you want to be a super good friend, let us know that you know that we want you to know! ie "oh give me a cuddle of your bubba! I can't wait to get my freshly washed hands on that gorgeous bundle of joy!" And of course...
Stay away if you are sick!
(or smell like smoke).
This is the most important point. Read the start of the page again. Your minor illness is our major fear. We won't get offended if you cancel a playdate, we won't hate you if you can't come to our dinner party. In fact, we will love you even more if you avoid us when you or your kids aren't well. This is the part where you can help us with managing our child's illness. Please please please let us know if your child has been sick. You don't have to decide if we should stay away or not, we will make the call. But we need to be able to make an informed choice. The smoking part is self explainatory and common sense.
Don't turn us into the bad one.
These rules will never change. Our child will always be sick, you will always need to practice good hygeine, we will always want to know if you or your kids are sick. Please don't make us bring it up all the time. We would really really really appreciate it if you remembered these points. It's no fun telling people over and over to wash their hands or cover their mouths. It's frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, but we will do it if we have to. We hope our friendship is worth the trouble.
Kiss and cuddle our kids!
I hope I haven't scared you off. The rules aren't too tricky, and our kids (like all kids) need all the love and good times that they can get. Big cuddles are awesome, tickle time is hilarious, holding hands is precious. If you are well and washed, please don't treat our kids differently.
That's pretty much it! Our lives changed dramatically when we got this diagnosis. We try to keep things as normal as possible, but it's not always possible. Our friends and family are so important to us, our childs health more so. We need you, please be there for us.
Oli & Nush A short cartoon about CF.
