Cystic Fibrosis and Blog of the Week: Coughing Fit
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This week’s featured blog is Coughing Fit written by Kim, “a spunky 25-year-old supergirl from Seattle who lives with CF tells it like it is.” With a tagline like that, how could you not want to read more?
Kim was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) very early in her life, just one day shy of her first birthday. Her older brother had just been diagnosed and as a precaution, she was tested as well. Unlike her brother, however, Kim did not experience the respiratory symptoms which typify CF until she was 19 years old.
Written in an honest and forthright manner, Kim has spoken of her daily experience with CF including a long list treatments – an ever present oxygen tank, X-rays, Ritalin, a variety of pain meds including morphine, blood transfusions, steroids,….
Cystic Fibrosis is about more then my health, it is my culture. I’ve denied it, I’ve envyed it, I’ve been angry about it, and I might have even used it. I’ve made choices because I was afraid of it, because I was angry about it, and because I wanted to get better from it. Cystic Fibrosis is who I am.
The last couple of weeks have been particularly difficult for Kim so her boyfriend, Nathan, has been updating the blog. She developed a fever on September 22, 2005, and has been feeling progressively worse. Kim could really use all our good wishes right now.
For more information on cystic fibrosis, see Genetic Test for Cystic Fibrosis.
Update: Kim passed away on October 3, 2005.
