Cystic Fibrosis Personal Impact
Cystic Fibrosis: A Personal Impact
Carrie Minton
NUR/427
June 8th, 2013
Dr. Angela Lowery
Cystic Fibrosis: A Personal Impact Isabel and Anabel Stenzel, identical twins, were born with the deadly chronic disease, Cystic Fibrosis. This disease has had a huge impact on their everyday quality of life as well as their family and friends. It is a daily fight and struggle. Not giving up and continuing to be proactive about caring for themselves is key to survival. At birth the doctor said they had 10 years to live. They are now 40 years old and have accomplished so much in their lives despite the difficulties of living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis: The science Cystic Fibrosis is a very progressive and chronic lung …show more content…
For the majority of their lives, living with Cystic Fibrosis has been an uphill battle. Ultimately, the end result of the progression of Cystic Fibrosis is lung transplantation. They were able to keep their own lungs for around 30 years. “Lung transplantation for patients with severely advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease may be a treatment option. The tissues of the transplanted lung do not develop cystic fibrosis; however, any other involved systems remain diseased. Between 120 and 150 patients with cystic fibrosis undergo lung transplantation each year with a 5-year survival rate of about 50%” (Scott, 2013). In order to even qualify for transplantation, it had to be proven that they were vigilant with caring for themselves and were consistent with treatments and medications. It has been around 10 years since they have had their double lung transplants. So they have beat those statistics as well. There were many days when one would want to skip a treatment or cut it short and the other was there to not allow it. They attribute their health and lives to having each other. Having up to five treatments a day, growing up, gets old fast. Being vigilant in living with Cystic Fibrosis requires hours of attention everyday in order to prevent a downward …show more content…
Spending a lot of their time in the hospital setting, they decided to make the most of it. Their parents raised them to look at their disease as an opportunity and a challenge. The twins were determined to beat the odds. And beat the odds they did. Isabel and Anabel grew up with a very strong support group. Their parents were always their for them and exposed them to other kids their age struggling with Cystic Fibrosis. They talked about going to camps every summer that were specifically for kids with Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout the years, the twins have met many doctors and nurses who have helped educate and motivate them through this challenging journey. Having this illness has really opened their eyes to the fact that they still have healthy minds, to not take advantage of the time they have on this earth, and that they are more than their bodies. Accepting and letting go of the fact that they have Cystic Fibrosis and will have it forever was the first step to a motivated and positive mindset. The twins strongly believe that they can do anything they set their minds
Carrie Minton
NUR/427
June 8th, 2013
Dr. Angela Lowery
Cystic Fibrosis: A Personal Impact Isabel and Anabel Stenzel, identical twins, were born with the deadly chronic disease, Cystic Fibrosis. This disease has had a huge impact on their everyday quality of life as well as their family and friends. It is a daily fight and struggle. Not giving up and continuing to be proactive about caring for themselves is key to survival. At birth the doctor said they had 10 years to live. They are now 40 years old and have accomplished so much in their lives despite the difficulties of living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis: The science Cystic Fibrosis is a very progressive and chronic lung …show more content…
For the majority of their lives, living with Cystic Fibrosis has been an uphill battle. Ultimately, the end result of the progression of Cystic Fibrosis is lung transplantation. They were able to keep their own lungs for around 30 years. “Lung transplantation for patients with severely advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease may be a treatment option. The tissues of the transplanted lung do not develop cystic fibrosis; however, any other involved systems remain diseased. Between 120 and 150 patients with cystic fibrosis undergo lung transplantation each year with a 5-year survival rate of about 50%” (Scott, 2013). In order to even qualify for transplantation, it had to be proven that they were vigilant with caring for themselves and were consistent with treatments and medications. It has been around 10 years since they have had their double lung transplants. So they have beat those statistics as well. There were many days when one would want to skip a treatment or cut it short and the other was there to not allow it. They attribute their health and lives to having each other. Having up to five treatments a day, growing up, gets old fast. Being vigilant in living with Cystic Fibrosis requires hours of attention everyday in order to prevent a downward …show more content…
Spending a lot of their time in the hospital setting, they decided to make the most of it. Their parents raised them to look at their disease as an opportunity and a challenge. The twins were determined to beat the odds. And beat the odds they did. Isabel and Anabel grew up with a very strong support group. Their parents were always their for them and exposed them to other kids their age struggling with Cystic Fibrosis. They talked about going to camps every summer that were specifically for kids with Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout the years, the twins have met many doctors and nurses who have helped educate and motivate them through this challenging journey. Having this illness has really opened their eyes to the fact that they still have healthy minds, to not take advantage of the time they have on this earth, and that they are more than their bodies. Accepting and letting go of the fact that they have Cystic Fibrosis and will have it forever was the first step to a motivated and positive mindset. The twins strongly believe that they can do anything they set their minds