For all you cf mommies and daddies

[Debi]

Absolutely I've been sicker since we adopted our two kids. Mine are now 20 and 17, but when they were little they brought home all sorts of germs. It just goes with the territory, and you just need to go into parenthood knowing it. Fortunately my husband has always been a 110% partner, so when the kids were really ill, he handled the "close-up" work and I was able to avoid catching many of their colds and crud. I love them dearly, but the reality is that they bring germs into the house. Some side benefits: they develop into great CPT givers and they are wonderful for fetching things for you when you're sick or tired!! Mine love taking care of me now.

Another thing to know. Whenever they are sick, they fret constantly that they are going to make me sick and I'll die and it will be their fault. No matter how many times I tell them it isn't so, they worry about it. Have since they were little. Also, anytime I do get sick, whether they have initiated the germs or not, they are sure it is their fault. Again, doesn't matter how many times my husband, me or even my doctor tells them different. Just something to be aware of.

 

[AnD]

Except for my pancreatitis and my liver infection (which I think I would have had anyways, since this was all my complaints about stomach aches for the last 15 years coming to a head), I have had a few more colds, but that's about it. I have been in for IVs for my lungs twice since she has been born (she's 3 1/2 yrs now), and that is a little more often than usual for me, but still not bad. I have come home both times and done the home IVs with help from my great support system (<b>if you don't have a great support system, I would advise against having children if you have cf- both you <i>and</i> your husband will need them if you have kids <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></b> ).

I have done a little more Tobi and Colistin than I did before, but that is mainly because of catching more colds...Now that she is 3, the colds don't seem to be as bad or frequent. The first year is the hardest, IMO, because you can't get the sleep you need, especially if you decide to breastfeed. I have never been so utterly exhausted in my life...

I am a stay at home mom, and the kids she plays with the most happen to have cold induced asthma (the illness, not the feeling- lol), so her friends' parents understand the importance of avoiding colds for me- that's a blessing. The other kids she plays with the most are her cousins <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We do the other normal things, too- library programs, birthday parties, Walmart, playground, etc. and I have stayed relatively healthy <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . This summer we plan to try Sunday School for her...right now she plays with the kids in the cry room during church (which is where we met one of her friends <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ).

She doesn't appear socially stunted -LOL, you should hear her- and I'm doing okay, so, so far, so good for us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We are also going to try homeschooling, and have already joined a group. I can't wait until she is old enough that we can go and do all the "class trips" and stuff that the other (school age) kids do!

 

[AnD]

Except for my pancreatitis and my liver infection (which I think I would have had anyways, since this was all my complaints about stomach aches for the last 15 years coming to a head), I have had a few more colds, but that's about it. I have been in for IVs for my lungs twice since she has been born (she's 3 1/2 yrs now), and that is a little more often than usual for me, but still not bad. I have come home both times and done the home IVs with help from my great support system (<b>if you don't have a great support system, I would advise against having children if you have cf- both you <i>and</i> your husband will need them if you have kids <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></b> ).

I have done a little more Tobi and Colistin than I did before, but that is mainly because of catching more colds...Now that she is 3, the colds don't seem to be as bad or frequent. The first year is the hardest, IMO, because you can't get the sleep you need, especially if you decide to breastfeed. I have never been so utterly exhausted in my life...

I am a stay at home mom, and the kids she plays with the most happen to have cold induced asthma (the illness, not the feeling- lol), so her friends' parents understand the importance of avoiding colds for me- that's a blessing. The other kids she plays with the most are her cousins <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We do the other normal things, too- library programs, birthday parties, Walmart, playground, etc. and I have stayed relatively healthy <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . This summer we plan to try Sunday School for her...right now she plays with the kids in the cry room during church (which is where we met one of her friends <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ).

She doesn't appear socially stunted -LOL, you should hear her- and I'm doing okay, so, so far, so good for us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We are also going to try homeschooling, and have already joined a group. I can't wait until she is old enough that we can go and do all the "class trips" and stuff that the other (school age) kids do!

 

[AnD]

Except for my pancreatitis and my liver infection (which I think I would have had anyways, since this was all my complaints about stomach aches for the last 15 years coming to a head), I have had a few more colds, but that's about it. I have been in for IVs for my lungs twice since she has been born (she's 3 1/2 yrs now), and that is a little more often than usual for me, but still not bad. I have come home both times and done the home IVs with help from my great support system (<b>if you don't have a great support system, I would advise against having children if you have cf- both you <i>and</i> your husband will need them if you have kids <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></b> ).

I have done a little more Tobi and Colistin than I did before, but that is mainly because of catching more colds...Now that she is 3, the colds don't seem to be as bad or frequent. The first year is the hardest, IMO, because you can't get the sleep you need, especially if you decide to breastfeed. I have never been so utterly exhausted in my life...

I am a stay at home mom, and the kids she plays with the most happen to have cold induced asthma (the illness, not the feeling- lol), so her friends' parents understand the importance of avoiding colds for me- that's a blessing. The other kids she plays with the most are her cousins <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We do the other normal things, too- library programs, birthday parties, Walmart, playground, etc. and I have stayed relatively healthy <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . This summer we plan to try Sunday School for her...right now she plays with the kids in the cry room during church (which is where we met one of her friends <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ).

She doesn't appear socially stunted -LOL, you should hear her- and I'm doing okay, so, so far, so good for us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> . We are also going to try homeschooling, and have already joined a group. I can't wait until she is old enough that we can go and do all the "class trips" and stuff that the other (school age) kids do!

 

[my65roses4me]

just bumping so I get more replies.

 

[my65roses4me]

just bumping so I get more replies.

 

[my65roses4me]

just bumping so I get more replies.

 

[DarceyMaysey]

I would have to say yes. My son goes to both kindergarten and daycare so he is exposed to two different "groups" of germs. There are also the times he is sick when I have to take him to the doctor and they obviously don't take precautions like the CF Clinic does. I am exposed to all the sick kids there too. In fact, just last week I had to take him to the hospital for a sleep study and since we didn't have to be there until 9:30 p.m. we had to go through the emergency room. Of course, I didn't think to wear a mask and I caught some awful bug.
I also would like to mention that when your child is sick you end up staying up at night with them (a lot). Even if I can get someone to watch a sick child (daycare won't) going to work after you have been up all night really drains your immune system. In my experience it is also hard to work full time with CF and raise a child because I have to use a good amount of my leave on myself and if it happens to be a year where my son has been sick a lot then I end up using my vacation time as sick leave. So I don't even end up getting to "relax" etc.
Anyway, I am not trying to discourage you from having children. My son is the best thing in my life and I would not change a thing! I just think that you need to have a strong support system and, if possible, work only part time.

 

[DarceyMaysey]

I would have to say yes. My son goes to both kindergarten and daycare so he is exposed to two different "groups" of germs. There are also the times he is sick when I have to take him to the doctor and they obviously don't take precautions like the CF Clinic does. I am exposed to all the sick kids there too. In fact, just last week I had to take him to the hospital for a sleep study and since we didn't have to be there until 9:30 p.m. we had to go through the emergency room. Of course, I didn't think to wear a mask and I caught some awful bug.
I also would like to mention that when your child is sick you end up staying up at night with them (a lot). Even if I can get someone to watch a sick child (daycare won't) going to work after you have been up all night really drains your immune system. In my experience it is also hard to work full time with CF and raise a child because I have to use a good amount of my leave on myself and if it happens to be a year where my son has been sick a lot then I end up using my vacation time as sick leave. So I don't even end up getting to "relax" etc.
Anyway, I am not trying to discourage you from having children. My son is the best thing in my life and I would not change a thing! I just think that you need to have a strong support system and, if possible, work only part time.

 

[DarceyMaysey]

I would have to say yes. My son goes to both kindergarten and daycare so he is exposed to two different "groups" of germs. There are also the times he is sick when I have to take him to the doctor and they obviously don't take precautions like the CF Clinic does. I am exposed to all the sick kids there too. In fact, just last week I had to take him to the hospital for a sleep study and since we didn't have to be there until 9:30 p.m. we had to go through the emergency room. Of course, I didn't think to wear a mask and I caught some awful bug.
I also would like to mention that when your child is sick you end up staying up at night with them (a lot). Even if I can get someone to watch a sick child (daycare won't) going to work after you have been up all night really drains your immune system. In my experience it is also hard to work full time with CF and raise a child because I have to use a good amount of my leave on myself and if it happens to be a year where my son has been sick a lot then I end up using my vacation time as sick leave. So I don't even end up getting to "relax" etc.
Anyway, I am not trying to discourage you from having children. My son is the best thing in my life and I would not change a thing! I just think that you need to have a strong support system and, if possible, work only part time.

 

[my65roses4me]

Thanks for all of your replies.
My husband and I have a good support system. They do not know we are going to try to have a child yet and dont know whether they will support us yet. Having said that I think they will come through for us when the time comes. We intend on telling them and talking about it before we decide to conceive but for now we have not shared that info yet. Its too soon and I want to be prepared to answer questions they may have. So for now I am doing my "homework".
All of you responses have taught me alot and I apreciate it. I wil be a stay at home mom so at least I wont have the stress of a job. And my child will not need to be in a day care either although my child will be going to school sooner or later so I wanted to know about that before hand too. Thanks

 

[my65roses4me]

Thanks for all of your replies.
My husband and I have a good support system. They do not know we are going to try to have a child yet and dont know whether they will support us yet. Having said that I think they will come through for us when the time comes. We intend on telling them and talking about it before we decide to conceive but for now we have not shared that info yet. Its too soon and I want to be prepared to answer questions they may have. So for now I am doing my "homework".
All of you responses have taught me alot and I apreciate it. I wil be a stay at home mom so at least I wont have the stress of a job. And my child will not need to be in a day care either although my child will be going to school sooner or later so I wanted to know about that before hand too. Thanks

 

[my65roses4me]

Thanks for all of your replies.
My husband and I have a good support system. They do not know we are going to try to have a child yet and dont know whether they will support us yet. Having said that I think they will come through for us when the time comes. We intend on telling them and talking about it before we decide to conceive but for now we have not shared that info yet. Its too soon and I want to be prepared to answer questions they may have. So for now I am doing my "homework".
All of you responses have taught me alot and I apreciate it. I wil be a stay at home mom so at least I wont have the stress of a job. And my child will not need to be in a day care either although my child will be going to school sooner or later so I wanted to know about that before hand too. Thanks

 

[LouLou]

I appreciate everyone's response to this post. I plan to print it out and give it to my husband to read. I think it will give him such good perspective on parenting with a cf spouse. We talk about all this stuff but it's hard to discuss it without it being negative or making it seem like he'll need to do everything. Hearing first hand experiences is always so powerful...and not exaggerated or underestimated. To me it seems helpful to take the emotion out of it. By reading your experiences, we can learn and apply all the shared knowledge. Again, thank you. I hope more people post.

 

[LouLou]

I appreciate everyone's response to this post. I plan to print it out and give it to my husband to read. I think it will give him such good perspective on parenting with a cf spouse. We talk about all this stuff but it's hard to discuss it without it being negative or making it seem like he'll need to do everything. Hearing first hand experiences is always so powerful...and not exaggerated or underestimated. To me it seems helpful to take the emotion out of it. By reading your experiences, we can learn and apply all the shared knowledge. Again, thank you. I hope more people post.

 

[LouLou]

I appreciate everyone's response to this post. I plan to print it out and give it to my husband to read. I think it will give him such good perspective on parenting with a cf spouse. We talk about all this stuff but it's hard to discuss it without it being negative or making it seem like he'll need to do everything. Hearing first hand experiences is always so powerful...and not exaggerated or underestimated. To me it seems helpful to take the emotion out of it. By reading your experiences, we can learn and apply all the shared knowledge. Again, thank you. I hope more people post.

 

[julie]

I just asked Mark and he said, "yes, more run down and more suseptible (sp??) to colds and such"

As a 3rd party in this, I think it's more related to the activities required to care for 3 babies the same age with no help for 8-10 hours 5 days a week, plus he did "night duty" for about 5-6 months. Our children are not in daycare so they don't bring anything home, but I work in the medical field and I do. His constant care for them, and especially those months of night duty, attributed to him catching anything I might have brough home, or any sick friends/family we were around.

Something you have to consider in addition to daycare and your kids bringing that home is the first few months of sleepness nights and busy days. You will be exhausted and run down.

his final words on this though, "It's all worth it". Neither of us would change anything.

 

[julie]

I just asked Mark and he said, "yes, more run down and more suseptible (sp??) to colds and such"

As a 3rd party in this, I think it's more related to the activities required to care for 3 babies the same age with no help for 8-10 hours 5 days a week, plus he did "night duty" for about 5-6 months. Our children are not in daycare so they don't bring anything home, but I work in the medical field and I do. His constant care for them, and especially those months of night duty, attributed to him catching anything I might have brough home, or any sick friends/family we were around.

Something you have to consider in addition to daycare and your kids bringing that home is the first few months of sleepness nights and busy days. You will be exhausted and run down.

his final words on this though, "It's all worth it". Neither of us would change anything.

 

[julie]

I just asked Mark and he said, "yes, more run down and more suseptible (sp??) to colds and such"

As a 3rd party in this, I think it's more related to the activities required to care for 3 babies the same age with no help for 8-10 hours 5 days a week, plus he did "night duty" for about 5-6 months. Our children are not in daycare so they don't bring anything home, but I work in the medical field and I do. His constant care for them, and especially those months of night duty, attributed to him catching anything I might have brough home, or any sick friends/family we were around.

Something you have to consider in addition to daycare and your kids bringing that home is the first few months of sleepness nights and busy days. You will be exhausted and run down.

his final words on this though, "It's all worth it". Neither of us would change anything.

 

[my65roses4me]

Thanks Julie I was awiting for you to chime in. I cant imagine what strain it puts on both of you caring for all those babies LOL!!! My hats off to you and your DH.