CF Clinic Update

I guess I found something to blog about....

Last week was my quarterly CF Clinic.  It was a great visit with really good PFTs.  They were up slightly from last time, but still at my baseline.  Small airways were down slightly, but still much improved since I started my new treatments.  I did a sputum culture prior to the visit, which was nice because we were able to discuss the results.  I continue to grow Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but did not culture staphylococcus aureus.  We discussed why that might be and the doctor guessed it was probably due to the sample, but I most likely still will culture this bug in the future.  We also discovered a new mycobacterium, chelonae.  There is no treatment plan in place because of my high pfts, but it will be something we will monitor.  This bacteria is common is soil and water and is common among those with joint infections, including scoliosis...which I have.  I don't really understand the connection between growing this bacteria and joint disease, so I am going to ask about this at the next  clinic appointment.

I also met the new social worker.  She is great and I was happy to meet her.  She provided me with some information on CF resources and we talked for almost 45 minutes about various themes occurring in my life right now.  I think she will be a great addition to my CF team.

I am also happy to report my sinuses have been A + since Christmas.  I had a few minor problems, but nothing like I was experiencing over the past couple of years.  I am so thankful for my new ENT!