One mom’s story

We’ve asked some authors and readers to give us their thoughts on reading, writing, living with CF and the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Watch for our guest bloggers through the month of September.

Here is the first from author, Clover Autrey:

Chase

When my son Chase was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, our doctor told us that he once had to tell parents that their child’s life expectancy was 12 years old. That was just before researchers found the gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis. Chase will be turning 13 this month and his life expectancy is so much longer now.

In the last couple of years, with the identification of the CF gene, there have been giant strides made in gene therapy and treatments. As a mom, my job is to keep Chase’s lungs and liver as healthy as possible so that when a treatment or cure is finally found to get rid of, bypass, or redesign that defective gene, Chase will be able to benefit from it. I believe that it can happen in his lifetime.

We’ve had our traumatic moments when his lungs were so labored I could see his breath straining against his ribs, he’s had several surgeries, his spleen removed, and I think he’s spent a total of five different Christmas holidays in the hospital, but I’m so grateful every day that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Researchers provide me with new treatments, some as simple as getting Chase to breathe in salt water, or better equipment to get the mucous stuck in his lungs moving.

Anyone who has ever given a dime or a penny to the CF Foundation probably won’t ever see how much it impacts lives on a daily basis. Right now. You all have my heartfelt gratitude.

Clover Autrey

http://www.clovercheryl.blogspot.com