Four Secrets to Living Well With Cystic Fibrosis

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth, I was not expected to celebrate my 10^th birthday. I was born in a decade where children with cystic fibrosis died young. Fortunately for me, my parents decided that the doctors weren't necessarily correct about my prognosis, and treated me exactly the same as they would have if I did not have cystic fibrosis. My family, which now includes my husband, and I have adopted a lifestyle in which we hope for the best, plan for the worst, and always remain flexible with our plans. I believe that is the attitude and lifestyle that is just one of the secrets to how we cope with this disease.

Secret #1: Surround Yourself with Support and Encouragement

Studies have shown that people with chronic illness who are married live longer and enjoy better health than their unmarried peers. My biggest secret to living well with cystic fibrosis is that I made a wise choice in who I married. My husband loves and supports me on so many levels, and we work well as a team. Throughout the five years that we've been married, he has stepped into the role of caregiver with tremendous ease and ability. Even when we were dating, he took it upon himself to learn whatever he could about cystic fibrosis so that he could make my life with it just a little bit easier. Now that we're married, I can count on him to sit beside me at every doctor appointment. He always puts me first, even if it means having to take an afternoon off work. When I'm in the hospital he visits faithfully, all the while keeping our home in order for my return.

I receive support and encouragement from other people, too. We are active members in our church, and have forged some wonderful friendships there. We consider these people our church family, and are blessed by the ways they help us in our times of need. They are respectful of the decisions we have to make because of my health, and quick to lend a helping hand when I'm in the hospital or on bed rest. Phone calls, emails and even visits are all part of how our church family makes life with cystic fibrosis just a little bit more bearable.

Secret #2: Be Actively Involved in Your Health Care