Clinic Visits
The CF clinic has become a place we know very well. This is where we received Wyatt’s diagnosis when he was just two and a half weeks old. I can vividly remember every little detail about that visit. Looking at the posters in the hallway while we paced the halls, the exact room we were in when we found out, and the doctor and nurse who told us.
We had our first appt the following week and it was a whirlwind of information. Specialist after specialist came in to see us and this is when we realized how complex of a disease CF is.
Three years later, clinic has become routine and it’s not so scary (although I still get anxious leading up to his appts). The team we meet with is the following:
A nurse who weighs Wyatt, takes his height and weight measurements, attempts to take his blood pressure and oxygen level (Wyatt usually makes this difficult because he won’t sit still), and does a throat swab. The throat swab determines if Wyatt is carrying any particular bacteria and what it is. When Wyatt gets a cold and needs antibiotics the dr can just look at what bacteria he’s culturing and more accurately prescribe antibiotics.
A Pediatric respirologist who discusses any concerns they have for Wyatt and any new medications he might be prescribed
A pharmacist who goes over current meds that Wyatt is taking (it’s a long list that might be a topic on later posts) and confirms that we are giving the correct dose. He also asks if Wyatt has any problems with the meds
A Physiotherapist who just usually pops In for a quick visit to see how physio is going and if necessary she adds additional physio positions for us to do
A dietician who goes over Wyatt’s weight gain and gives tips for ways to help him gain weight if need be. She’s very helpful with suggestions of healthy ways to add calories throughout the day.
Gastrointestinal specialist who checks Wyatts tummy for any signs of issues with his digestive organs.
Once a year Wyatt also has to receive blood work to ensure all of his levels are normal, and a chest X-ray to see how his lungs are doing. The chest X-ray is the hardest part of clinic for Wyatt and I. He is strapped into a machine with his arms above his head and he can’t move at all. This year he was able to tell me that he was stuck and it was one of the harder moments for sure as I couldn’t help him.
Wyatt is always a trooper at every appt and we couldn’t be more proud of the strength he shows already. It’s not easy to be poked and prodded but it doesn’t phase him 💕💕
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