Contact With Other People With CF
We learned quite quickly at clinic that people with Cf cannot be around another person with Cf. The protocol is six feet apart minimum. The reason for this is cross contamination of harmful bacteria. For example, if Wyatt has bacteria A and someone else with Cf has bacteria B and they are in close contact they can transfer bacteria and now Wyatt would have bacteria A and B. To avoid this contact at clinic, people with Cf are never waiting in the same area, and the rooms are aired out and disinfected very thoroughly before a new patient goes in. We also have Wyatt wear a mask on his face while in clinic.
The fact that people with Cf cannot be around each other can make it a very isolating illness. I have been fortunate enough to meet some very amazing people affected by the disease (either someone with Cf or a caregiver, sibling, etc). The support system is truly amazing and I’m very blessed to have the support of everyone I’ve met in the cf community. When Wyatt is older I know he will have a fantastic group of people to talk to and support him even though it can’t be in person.
After our first time participating in the walk to make cf history in 2016 I received a friend request from a woman who I did not know. I didn’t accept or deny the request but later that evening she messaged me. She basically said that she found my name on the walk website as the team captain for walking for Wyatt. She went on to explain how when her son Jack was at the cf clinic undergoing testing to determine if he had cf, we were there with Wyatt. She heard Wyatt get called into the room to see the dr and the name stuck with her. She decided to reach out to me and I’m so thankful that she did.
Marilyn Snarr has become such a wonderful friend and her journey is so similar to ours. Jack is five days older than Wyatt, has the same genetic mutation as Wyatt, and he’s such a strong and brave little guy.
Marilyn and I lean on each other on the tough days, celebrate the good days, and dream of the future when there will be a cure for this awful disease. As much as I wish that no one else was affected by Cf, I’m so thankful to have Marilyn and her family to share this journey with.
Marilyn thank you for reaching out at a time when I needed it. The first year was rough and full of so many unknowns but having someone else to talk to about it who knows exactly how I felt was exactly what I needed and will continue to need. I hope that one day Wyatt and Jack can meet in person and get into all sorts of trouble together.