Roommate has CF

[anonymous]

Hello!

My daughter is going off to college, and her new roommate has CF. These 2 already know each other, as they went to high school and played sports together. But I was thinking maybe my daughter should get a bit more familiar with CF, and what it means...

What should she know?

How can she be a "supportive CF roommate"?

Any other suggestions??

thx!

 

[Jane]

This site is a great way for her to get some info on CF. Also the CF Foundation website has some great things on living with CF.

Everyone with CF may have different symptoms at different times. People on this site are at all different stages of the disease and may have issues that sound scary. Tell your daughter not to worry. Your daughter's roommate sounds pretty healthy but she'll probably take pills when she eats for digestion. She will probably do nebulized treatments and may need chest physcial therapy.

I'm sure she will be able to share more about herself and her needs when they get to school, but it is good of you to get the scoop on the disease first.

 

[JazzysMom]

As long as your daughter knows that she has CF that is half the battle. Much of it depends on how open the roommate herself is with her illness. Some of us are very private & want to hide a lot & some (like myself) are one big open book, good & bad. My first concern would be wearing herself down with the demands of college. Although it sounds like she has been pretty active, this is a different environment & things can change. I am sure you will get more feed back from those on here that have CF & went to college!

 

[coltsfan715]

It is great that you are searching for info now.
Like Jane said your daughters roommate will probably have meds that she needs to take. If they already know each other, your daughter may have already seen her take meds with food/meals and such. She may also take breathing treatments and need Chest PT as Jane mentioned as well.

I will throw some things out there that I know are helpful to me and bothersome to me as someone with CF (I am 24 by the way). I have always been uncomfortable doing my treatments in front of others, but can handle it as long as the person or people do not stare at me like I am strange or anything. Also it would have been nice if I had a buddy in college tell me they would wait for me before going out if I needed to do my meds first. I often times brushed off treatments because I didn't want to be left behind or have to go somewhere alone. I guess I am just meaning to be supportive, so she knows she can count on your daughter if she needs her.

I will add though I would try not to nag to much about meds. Maybe asking something like "Hey do you need to do a treatment before we leave, if so I'll wait for you" instead of "did you do your treatment today? Are you sure? Are you sure you don't need to do another" That is something a parent would do and may drive your daughters roommate crazy lol. Not that your daughter would do that anyway, but I just wanted to through that out there.

I am sure they will have a great time. I would also like to say that I'm sure your daughters roommate is in good health now. Just because she has CF doesn't mean she can't do the things everyone else does, so do not treat her different unless she specifically says she can't do something or whathave you - then if that's the case don't make a big deal of it just say alright and let it go. We are all different, so something that I may not be able to do because of CF your daughters roommate may be able to do. Your daughters roommate will know better than anyone what she is capable of regardless of CF.

I hope they have a great school year,
Lindsey

Also maybe a given - but I will say it anyhow. Smoking not that they do, but that would be a bit of a no no for your daughters friend. I hope she doesn't smoke, but I have seen stranger things. Being in and around smoke for long periods may bother your daughter's roommate.

 

[Allie]

Everyone else gave you pretty much genius advice, so I don't have much to add. One thing I would say is : Try not to treat her different. I know Ry hated when people treated him like he was going to break. Usually, people with CF can do it all just fine on thier own, and are good at asking for help (or learn to be, heh). I'm sure your daughter will do great if she cares enough to ask <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Ender]

Ya what they said hehehe....

I think the most important thing is to be comfortable with her and the meds she takes. I know for some it can be a little wierd watching someone use a nebulizer, but just realize that it is no big deal. She might also have a lot of meds, and sometimes that can look pretty intimidating in itself (hahah I have bottles of stuff all over my room). Again, although it looks like a lot, most of it is probably just enzymes and vitamins.

If i was to move in with a roomate, i would just want them to be as comfortable with my medications and stuff as I am. I think finding a person like that is pretty amazing though, and you don't have to hide things. Life is a lot easier that way, and you don't always feel like you have something to hide.

that being said, i think it's a lot easier for girls lol.

 

[anonymous]

Thanx to ALL for the useful and Quick responses!! Very helpful. Now all I havta do is drop my daughter off at school without becoming a blubbering mess ;-)

(1st one to leave the nest)

Peace.

 

[izemmom]

I have to admit that when I first read this post, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Give it a rest. She has cf, she's not a freak..." Ten minutes later I flashed forward 18 years to when Emily will be going off to school. If she is lucky enough to land a roomate with parents as considerate and caring as you, then I'll be blessed...and grateful. Thanks for being a great mom! Good Luck to your daughter and her roomate!