4 Things I Learned While Attending CF Clinic

I recently had the pleasure of attending CF clinic with my best friend. I have been around CF for a big chunk of my life. I’ve made hospital visits to CF family members when they were admitted, I’ve helped with treatments at home, I’ve even played games and entertained while they did their breathing treatments. But, until recently, never had the experience of being a fly on the wall at clinic.  Here’s 5 things I learned from being there:

1.  THE FASTEST WAITING ROOM

We’ve all been to the doctor before, we all know that the waiting room can be the most painful and drawn out part of the process.  Not when you are going to CF Clinic! In an effort to reduce any possible spread of germs and contamination, CF patients are typically called back shortly after checking in

2.  NO INTRO REQUIRED

The CF care team all had their own unique personal relationship with my friend. They chatted with him while he prepared for tests and addressed him as if he was an old college friend that they haven’t seen in a while. They also knew his habits, CF history, and other information without even grabbing a chart.

3. A WELL-OILED MACHINE

CF patients go to clinic quarterly for a check-up.  They conduct their PFTs (Pulmonary Function Test), produce a sputum sample, and check in to see if there are dietary issues or other CF related issues in general.  Each step of the way was extremely efficient, and everyone was right at home during the process. CF FACT: A sputum culture can help identify specific causes of infections in the lungs and airways.

4. WHATS UP DOC?

I know it might not be this way for everyone, but I was enamored at the relationship my friend had with his doctor.  I was a little star struck when I met him having heard his name so many times throughout the years and knowing all the great work and research he has done for CF in general.  The doc and my friend were able to discuss what needed to be discussed all while executing very witty and sarcastic jokes. I was also moved that this doctor, this SUPER busy doctor, took the time to read my friends blogpost that was recently published on the CF Foundations blog.

The relationships that can be built between patient and care team are strong and produce terrific results for all involved.