Everyone--a BIG announcement was given this Thursday at the NACFC (the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference). Drumroll please...
The average life expectancy for CF has reached FORTY-SEVEN.
Forty-seven guys. That's HUGE!! Last year it was at 36.
What does this mean? It means medicines and new treatments are continually coming out thanks to research.
It means babies who are born have great resources to keep them healthy and alive--and not only alive but able to LIVE. It means their parents not needing to be told to not expect them to be able to go to and graduate from college, serve missions, get married, have children, you name it.
It means growing up with better treatments, less hospitalizations, less surgeries, more weight gain and less Gastrointestinal tubes, and continual research.
The question that has admittedly taken over my mind is, "What if..." As in, "What happens if I don't live to a certain age? What if I don't have the chance to be married, to have a family of my own? And if I am able to, what if I won't have many years to spend with them in this life? What if my health declines rapidly down the road?..."
The questions could go on, but after thinking more about the advancements and prolonged average life-expectancy, it makes me wonder...
"What if I live longer? What if I do get the chance to be married and have a family of my own? What if I do get more time to spend with them here? What if my health continues to stay strong?"
With all this being said, the fight is not over. This is only an average life-expectancy, meaning it's up to us with CF to put in our part to work hard. The treatments, the vigorous work outs, the time put aside to refill, organize, and take our medications, the meal planning for nutrients and calories, the night feedings for some, clinic visits, hospitalizations...it will all be worth it. In fact, it is worth it.
I think back to a couple nights ago where I met a senior couple at an etiquette dinner. I learned a great deal from them. This man looked me in the eyes afterwards, and said firmly, "Miracles come. Don't give up." No, he did not know about my life with CF, and in fact this comment seemed out of place but left an impact. I thought more about this, and how this could also pertain to medical advancements--an eventual cure, and I want to remember his words.
It will all be worth it, and it IS worth it.
