What's a Cystic?

[Guest guest]

That was awesome, did you make that up yourself?

[Guest guest]

Kim --- you should be a writer............

Rosemary from New York with 3 children with CF -

they are 12.5, 10, 6......

I coined the phrase " BREATHE DAMMIT " ; we have a dog we named -are you ready

for this - TOBI after their medication!!! At least it wasn't albuterol or

Coly...

[Guest guest]

That was great. You dealt with your anger and disgust better than I did!

Meg

Mom of 3; 12yowcf & Crohn's, 7 yowocf, 2yowcf & GERD

[Guest guest]

I know that a " cyst " is an inflammed sac somewhere in -- or on -- the

body.

And I know that " fibrosis " is scar formation in organs and connective

tissues.

And knowing the above, I can figure out that " fibrocystic breast

disease " refers to lumpy cysts in the breast, sometimes accompanied by

fibrosis (scarring of the tissues).

And I know that " cystic fibrosis " is a disease causing inflammed sacs

and scarring in the lungs, pancreas and often sinuses, liver, and gall

bladder.

But for the life of me, I just can't figure out what a Cystic is.

So, I went to Webster -- you know, the dictionary. Webster says a cyst

is a noun. You know what a noun is; you learned it in grade school. A

noun is a person, place or thing.

So if a cyst is a noun, then what's a cystic? Is it a verb? Or an

adjective? Do I have one? Is it showing beneath my skirt like the lace

from a fallen petticoat or like a run in my stocking?

I don't think I have a Cystic. I've checked carefully.

I looked in my family tree but all I found were nuts.

I looked in my family closet but all I found were skeletons.

I looked under my dog but all I found was a stolen sock with a hole in

the heel.

I looked into the eyes of my children and all I found was love

reflected, happiness shared, and hope for the future.

So, can someone please tell me, what the heck is a Cystic? I'd sure

like to know because I'm pretty sure -- according to the birth

certificates anyway -- that I gave birth to two children, not a

Cystic nor even an Asthmatic.

And among my friends, I don't know anyone else that gave birth to a

Cystic, Asthmatic, Dsylexic, or Epilectic. People give birth to

children, not diseases, health impairments or disabilities -- or even

worse, handicaps and cripples. So why do we let labels creep into our

language?

If any of you view or children (or stepchildren) as " their disease "

instead of warm and tender beings, then my friends... you reep what

you sow. And I predict as life goes on, you're going to be standing on

parched earth among a garden of weeds instead of rocking on the porch

enjoying the flowers.

Becki A. wrote: " ...no one would ever choose to have a Cystic as

opposed to a healthy child. When you continue to have more Cystics... "

--Kim

Mom to (age 23 1/2 WITH asthma and cf) and (age 20 WITH

asthma no cf)

[Guest guest]

Ah but Meg.... sometimes its fun to call an ace an

ace........................

Rosemary from New York with 3 children with CF -

they are 12.5, 10, 6......

I coined the phrase " BREATHE DAMMIT " ; we have a dog we named -are you ready

for this - TOBI after their medication!!! At least it wasn't albuterol or

Coly...

[Guest guest]

Well said !

[Guest guest]

That is such a great response--- I wish I could write like that!

Kim

What's a Cystic?

I know that a " cyst " is an inflammed sac somewhere in -- or on -- the

body.

And I know that " fibrosis " is scar formation in organs and connective

tissues.

And knowing the above, I can figure out that " fibrocystic breast

disease " refers to lumpy cysts in the breast, sometimes accompanied by

fibrosis (scarring of the tissues).

And I know that " cystic fibrosis " is a disease causing inflammed sacs

and scarring in the lungs, pancreas and often sinuses, liver, and gall

bladder.

But for the life of me, I just can't figure out what a Cystic is.

So, I went to Webster -- you know, the dictionary. Webster says a cyst

is a noun. You know what a noun is; you learned it in grade school. A

noun is a person, place or thing.

So if a cyst is a noun, then what's a cystic? Is it a verb? Or an

adjective? Do I have one? Is it showing beneath my skirt like the lace

from a fallen petticoat or like a run in my stocking?

I don't think I have a Cystic. I've checked carefully.

I looked in my family tree but all I found were nuts.

I looked in my family closet but all I found were skeletons.

I looked under my dog but all I found was a stolen sock with a hole in

the heel.

I looked into the eyes of my children and all I found was love

reflected, happiness shared, and hope for the future.

So, can someone please tell me, what the heck is a Cystic? I'd sure

like to know because I'm pretty sure -- according to the birth

certificates anyway -- that I gave birth to two children, not a

Cystic nor even an Asthmatic.

And among my friends, I don't know anyone else that gave birth to a

Cystic, Asthmatic, Dsylexic, or Epilectic. People give birth to

children, not diseases, health impairments or disabilities -- or even

worse, handicaps and cripples. So why do we let labels creep into our

language?

If any of you view or children (or stepchildren) as " their disease "

instead of warm and tender beings, then my friends... you reep what

you sow. And I predict as life goes on, you're going to be standing on

parched earth among a garden of weeds instead of rocking on the porch

enjoying the flowers.

Becki A. wrote: " ...no one would ever choose to have a Cystic as

opposed to a healthy child. When you continue to have more Cystics... "

--Kim

Mom to (age 23 1/2 WITH asthma and cf) and (age 20 WITH

asthma no cf)

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Very well put. I currently have a cyst and although my children are as

painful sometimes, I hope I wont need to get them lanced.

What's a Cystic?

I know that a " cyst " is an inflammed sac somewhere in -- or on -- the

body.

And I know that " fibrosis " is scar formation in organs and connective

tissues.

And knowing the above, I can figure out that " fibrocystic breast

disease " refers to lumpy cysts in the breast, sometimes accompanied by

fibrosis (scarring of the tissues).

And I know that " cystic fibrosis " is a disease causing inflammed sacs

and scarring in the lungs, pancreas and often sinuses, liver, and gall

bladder.

But for the life of me, I just can't figure out what a Cystic is.

So, I went to Webster -- you know, the dictionary. Webster says a cyst

is a noun. You know what a noun is; you learned it in grade school. A

noun is a person, place or thing.

So if a cyst is a noun, then what's a cystic? Is it a verb? Or an

adjective? Do I have one? Is it showing beneath my skirt like the lace

from a fallen petticoat or like a run in my stocking?

I don't think I have a Cystic. I've checked carefully.

I looked in my family tree but all I found were nuts.

I looked in my family closet but all I found were skeletons.

I looked under my dog but all I found was a stolen sock with a hole in

the heel.

I looked into the eyes of my children and all I found was love

reflected, happiness shared, and hope for the future.

So, can someone please tell me, what the heck is a Cystic? I'd sure

like to know because I'm pretty sure -- according to the birth

certificates anyway -- that I gave birth to two children, not a

Cystic nor even an Asthmatic.

And among my friends, I don't know anyone else that gave birth to a

Cystic, Asthmatic, Dsylexic, or Epilectic. People give birth to

children, not diseases, health impairments or disabilities -- or even

worse, handicaps and cripples. So why do we let labels creep into our

language?

If any of you view or children (or stepchildren) as " their disease "

instead of warm and tender beings, then my friends... you reep what

you sow. And I predict as life goes on, you're going to be standing on

parched earth among a garden of weeds instead of rocking on the porch

enjoying the flowers.

Becki A. wrote: " ...no one would ever choose to have a Cystic as

opposed to a healthy child. When you continue to have more Cystics... "

--Kim

Mom to (age 23 1/2 WITH asthma and cf) and (age 20 WITH

asthma no cf)

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

Did you infer that I was angry or disgusted? If so, I didn't mean it

that way.

Actually, I wasn't offended by Becki A. questioning others for

continuing to have children because I know that her opinion will

neither stop or start a baby boom. And anyway, when talks about

, we learn more about than we do . If ya get my drift.

But what offended me in her post is the same thing that always offends

me whenever I read/hear someone calling a person by their disease or a

shorthand version of the illness.

What does shock, baffle and yes, absolutely disgust me is whenever a

person with CF refers to him/herself as a " Cystic " or " CFer. " Because

by doing so, they make it harder for those of us who keep trying to

educate doctors and the public about the harm in labeling.

My son is not a Cystic. And the first time a doctor referred to people

with CF as " Cystics, " I immediately removed my six-year old son from

the room, then stepped back in and with a shaking voice and courage I

didn't feel, I educated the doctor.

You see, my son is forever my son... but he's also a young man who is

intelligent, creative, artistic, compassionate, sensitive, caring,

inquisitive, and responsible. When he's photographing events, he's a

photographer; when he's painting or drawing, he's an artist. When he's

at work, he's a sales associate (until he lands that real job for

which he spent 4 1/2 years in college). He just happens to have cystic

fibrosis and an addiction to video games but he's not a Cystic nor a

Videomatic.

And my daughter is forever my daughter... but she's also a young woman

who is intelligent, vivacious, witty, charming, caring, sensitive, and

responsible. When she's onstage dancing, her smile lights up the

entire stage and all eyes are riveted to her. So when she's dancing,

she's a dancer; when she's teaching dance, she's a teacher. When she's

sleeping through her morning classes, she's a typical college student.

She just happens to have asthma and an addiction to shoes, but she's

not an Asthmatic nor a Shoestic.

I'm a woman. But I'm also someone's second daughter, a mother, aunt,

best friend, school teacher, writer, consultant, and sometimes an

editor. I just happen to have asthma and migraines. But I'm not an

Asthmatic or a Migraineur.

By the way, my daughter was 1 yr., 2 weeks old when her brother was

diagnosed with CF in 1983. My pregnancy with her was hellish, so

this is how I figure it:

The Universe knew that I always wanted three children. But the

Universe also knew that if I got pregnant a third time, I'd likely win

the Bitch-of-the-Century award. So by timing the diagnosis for after

my daughter's first birthday, the decision about future births was

made for me.

I respect that Divine plan, and I have absolutely no regrets. Every

day I walk into a classroom, I have more children -- without the

morning sickness, stretch marks and water retention.

Kim

Mom of (23 1/2 with cf and asthma) and (20 asthma no cf)

That was great. You dealt with your anger and disgust better than I

did!

Meg

Mom of 3; 12yowcf & Crohn's, 7 yowocf, 2yowcf & GERD

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I don't know if you have written any books, but maybe you should.

Make sure to save your response below and include it in your book.

Gale

" ...no one would ever choose to have a Cystic as

> opposed to a healthy child. When you continue to have more

Cystics... "

>

> --Kim

> Mom to (age 23 1/2 WITH asthma and cf) and (age 20

WITH

> asthma no cf)

[Guest guest]

Kim>......Hooray!!!!! HooRAY!!!! I LOVE your response!!!! I don't have A

CYSTIC either, or a DOWN's Syndrome, or An EpiLEPTic, Or a double GRADE IV or

an Asthmaitc, or a HYDROCEPHALIC, or an ADHD ....I have THREE,,,,count them

THREE...lvely children who love me very much and whom I love very much

also!!!!! I get SICK to DEATH of people referring to my children as their

diseases, or disabilities...THEY ARE KIDS, Darnnitt!!! And should be

recognized as such!!! May the POWERS that BE bless you for your post!!! With

love, Deranda )mom of one w/ suspected CF and three without)

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I want to thank you for your last beautiful post. I too hate when people are

called be what they maybe afflicted with. I don't even like the terms of

" druggie or alchie " These are also diseases and all humans should be treated

with respect

Meg

Mom of 3; 12yowcf & Crohn's, 7 yowocf, 2yowcf & GERD