CF Mother's Day Poem

This is a poem a friend and fellow CF mom sent to me on Mother's Day. I liked it and wanted to share it. It's about what all CF moms (and DADS) do. There are hours of daily chest physiotherapy,meds and breathing treatments, therapist visits at the house, trips to the hospital, home IV administration and oxygen therapy! I would like to salute all the CF moms and dads I know. Also, I don't know any CF families that only have one child. We are all trying to juggle parenting one, two, three or four more children as we struggle with trying to fight CF. You all are my heroes and a great source of encouragment! I would also add that although Rob and I are Brett's primary caregivers, we can't take all the credit because we have lots of assistance from GG and Pop, Grandpa, Brittny, and others along the way!  We are so thankful for this support.

Do you ever just breathe to feel yourself breath?
Or cough to hear yourself cough?
Do you wonder where they get all their strength from?
And the courage to breathe in and blast off?

Are your hands dry or cracked from proper hand hygiene?
Do you talk about boogies and poo over dinner?
Can you rattle off 25 medicines in chronological order?
Or say that eating 4,000 calories a day makes your child a winner?

If you answered yes to any of these,
It is a role God intended for you and only you;
You are just 1 of 30,000 who were chosen especially,
He knew you could handle it, just the way you do.

You’re a lover, a fighter, even fearless sometimes,
You are exactly what your precious child needs;
You are strong, patient, and lead with your heart,
You already knew life was not meant to be a breeze.

You have learned more in your days as a CF Momma,
Had a crash course in nursing, nutrition, and nebulizers;
Slow going to start, but given some time,
You are now the CF CEO with a clinic full of top advisors.

Nebs, vests, and vitamins, to start and end every day,
All of this is just part of the daily routine;
Pulmozyme, PFTs, and the infamous Pipeline,
You know just what each of these mean.

You are the light on their darkest days,
You help them put one foot in front of the other;
You remind them of their achievements and why they fight,
You are the joy, you are the love, you are their mother.

You encourage, educate, and empower your child,
Because that’s all you now how to do.
With the support and love from your Faith community,
The miracles in the tough times fill and carry you through.

A whole lotta sweet and a little bit of salty,
Yup that basically describes our CF kids,
And when you look beyond each courageous CF‘er,
A quiet hero, you CF Momma, is pleasantly hid. :)

Happy Mother's Day to all and a little extra hug to the CF Mom's. xoxoxo