Why do I have to go to the hospital when I'm not sick?
At times, you may have to go to the hospital for a tune up. A tune up is just getting your health back to normal. This sounds bad, but it isn't. Your PFT (pulmonary function test) may not be where the doctor wants it to be. You are not bed ridden or anything like that. You can move around and go the game room for patients, if the hospital has one. I was only in the hospital once for a week because of CF. It is not a bad sign if you have to go for a tune-up. I don't think staying there for months at time would be good. You just have to be self confident that everything will turn out ok.
What if I need to get surgery?
I am happy that I didn't have to get any kind of surgery yet. If someone you know has to get a surgery, here is a list of different types of surgeries.
Corrective Surgeries
Intestinal Obstruction Surgery-This is a last resort surgery, but may be needed. Intestinal Obstruction can usually be treated by altering diet, regulating enzymes, using mucolytic agents to help break down the mucus in stools or using enemas.
Removal of a lobe of your lung-This may need to be done if you have a lot of scarring on one of the lobes of your lungs or bleeding from the same place.
Lung Transplant-This is done more and more every day.. This will be done only if lungs fail.
Elective Surgeries
Venous Access Device-A long-term central venous catheter or central line implanted into your body will allow you to receive your IV antibiotics without needle punctures if you are hospitalized frequently and having a problem with keeping IV's. It can also be used for blood work.
Gastrostomy Tube-This tube is installed into the stomach and allow you to receive feedings throughout the night if you have a hard time gaining and maintaining weight.
What is infecting my lungs?
As a CF patient, you may already know that it is a build up of mucus in your lungs. What it the bacteria in the mucus that causes a CF patient to get sick. There are three different types of bacteria that might be in the mucus that is in your lungs.
- Staphylococcus aureus ("Staph"), Hemophilus or
E.coli: These types of bacteria infections can all be treated with oral medications.
- Pseudomonas
aeruginosa: Eventually everyone with CF begins to grow this bacteria in their airways. It needs to be treated with IV antibiotics. Sometimes hospitalization can be avoided through the use of nebulized antibiotics such as tobramycin or
colistin.
- Pseudononas cepcia: This bacteria is more difficult to treat and can make you very sick.
Anybody that has CF out there, take care of yourself and you won't have to deal with surgeries for a long time.
