The CF Clinc
Step into a medical office, face masked and gloved, where everyone knows everything about CF. I just don't see a doctor and I just don't see a doctor when I'm sick, I go to clinic when I'm healthy too!
You think your doctor's office has you waiting too long, by the time I get out of clinic 3 hours have gone by. Yesterday I committed myself, I mean visited the CF Clinic because I was concerned with my hard cough and was pretty sure they would hospitalize me. CF clinic is like the marathon of all doctors appointments. Actually like the Legends of the Hidden Temple obstacle course of doctors visits.
When I get to clinic I am rushed into a patient room because infection control among patients is taken very seriously. I have to wear a mask at all times and rarely ever see another CF patient. On the rare occasion I do see another CFer I just image we are in some Star Trek world, where we are mortal enemies because if we breathe on each other we could give each other our bacterial strands....ok I shouldn't be giving star trek examples because I've really never watched it.
Anyway I feel like I'm in jail and on top of worrying if I'm sick I have to talk to all these people and answer all their questions on their forms....
Social Worker: She handles the 'paperwork' that gets in the way of progress, insurance issues and mental issues. She checks in with the mental affects of CF and hopes I am still sane after dealing with all that I have to deal with.
Pharmacist: Checks all my meds and suggests new ones to alleviate symptoms. I am one for not a lot of drugs so we don't always get a long so well
Nurse: Vitals
Nurse Practitioner: Checks off her list of events that CF causes, coughing up blood, mucus production etc.
Dietitian: CF adversely affects the pancreas by blocking the delivery of digestive enzymes to the stomach. Thus I don't absorb everything I eat, especially fat. I know start hating me now. I can eat anything I want. So we discuss all the yummy foods I need to eat so I can gain weight. Hate me more.
Doctor: Listen to my lungs and all that doctor check up stuff. I do a Pulmonary function test to see how my airways are functioning. If my 'numbers' have stayed the same or gotten better I go home! If my numbers are down, this is a result of infection or inflammation of the airways....this is when Hospitalization is discussed to get IV antibiotic treatment....this is what happened yesterday.
Its great to have such an in depth analysis of my health, but it is also exhausting. I just sit in my little room just wanting to know how my lungs are doing. I feel like I repeat myself 4 times and never get my questions answered. I wish they would come in pairs.
So clinic visit turned into a sick visit and the process to be hospitalized to get IVs began. Now the fun begins!
You think your doctor's office has you waiting too long, by the time I get out of clinic 3 hours have gone by. Yesterday I committed myself, I mean visited the CF Clinic because I was concerned with my hard cough and was pretty sure they would hospitalize me. CF clinic is like the marathon of all doctors appointments. Actually like the Legends of the Hidden Temple obstacle course of doctors visits.
When I get to clinic I am rushed into a patient room because infection control among patients is taken very seriously. I have to wear a mask at all times and rarely ever see another CF patient. On the rare occasion I do see another CFer I just image we are in some Star Trek world, where we are mortal enemies because if we breathe on each other we could give each other our bacterial strands....ok I shouldn't be giving star trek examples because I've really never watched it.
Anyway I feel like I'm in jail and on top of worrying if I'm sick I have to talk to all these people and answer all their questions on their forms....
Social Worker: She handles the 'paperwork' that gets in the way of progress, insurance issues and mental issues. She checks in with the mental affects of CF and hopes I am still sane after dealing with all that I have to deal with.
Pharmacist: Checks all my meds and suggests new ones to alleviate symptoms. I am one for not a lot of drugs so we don't always get a long so well
Nurse: Vitals
Nurse Practitioner: Checks off her list of events that CF causes, coughing up blood, mucus production etc.
Dietitian: CF adversely affects the pancreas by blocking the delivery of digestive enzymes to the stomach. Thus I don't absorb everything I eat, especially fat. I know start hating me now. I can eat anything I want. So we discuss all the yummy foods I need to eat so I can gain weight. Hate me more.
Doctor: Listen to my lungs and all that doctor check up stuff. I do a Pulmonary function test to see how my airways are functioning. If my 'numbers' have stayed the same or gotten better I go home! If my numbers are down, this is a result of infection or inflammation of the airways....this is when Hospitalization is discussed to get IV antibiotic treatment....this is what happened yesterday.
Its great to have such an in depth analysis of my health, but it is also exhausting. I just sit in my little room just wanting to know how my lungs are doing. I feel like I repeat myself 4 times and never get my questions answered. I wish they would come in pairs.
So clinic visit turned into a sick visit and the process to be hospitalized to get IVs began. Now the fun begins!