Cystic Fibrosis

Hi! My name is Norma Kennedy Plourde, and I live in Baker Lake, New Brunswick, Canada. I have Cystic Fibrosis. My CF affects mostly my lungs and my digestive system. I get frequent respiratory infections, so I take antibiotics a lot, and my pancreas doesn't secrete enzymes, so I take pancreatic enzymes, plus a lot of other medications. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am 48 years old, have been married for 28 years, and have a 26 year old daughter without cystic fibrosis. I am a Registered Nurse, and worked in a hospital setting for 9 years, but no longer work due to my illness. I would like to educate and provide information about CF to as many people as I can. It is a genetic disease that affects approximately 3,000 people in Canada, and 30,000 in the US, plus many more throughout the world. It is a disease that affects the exogenous secreting glands of the body, and generates thickened secretions, therefore blocking proper functioning of certain organs. The organs most affected are the lungs and pancreas, therefore affecting breathing and digestion, but certain other organs are affected also. There is no cure as of yet, but we hope there soon will be. Research is ongoing, and great strides are being made! Whereas 40 years ago, not many people with CF lived past childhood, nowadays many can live into their mid 30's or more. Unfortunately, many people with CF are still dying way too early. Please support CF research...that is our only hope. I hope that my site will help you to learn more about CF.

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