31 Days of CF: Erin’s Story

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by Luisa Palazola |

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Day 6 of 31 Days of CF⁣ Topic: Best Friendships and CF ⁣ My name is Erin and, though, I don’t have CF, I’ve grown up knowing CF well. In January of 2008 I met my best friend, Danica. I remember thinking she was amazing right away (still do and always will) and knowing that she was my best friend before anything else. When she told me she had CF, as a 7-year-old, I had hundreds of questions, but she never minded answering them.⁣ In about third grade, little me hadn’t fully understood CF and a teacher at lunch became concerned about a 9-year-old with pills, and took them to check with the school nurse – I had wanted to throw hands. I remember saying “Danica! What if you have a CF attack because that lady took your pills??” Of course, she laughed because that isn’t how CF works at all, but I was mad about it.⁣ I don’t remember the first time Danica did the Vest with me there, because it has never seemed odd to me. The treatments never seemed out of the ordinary. When it was time for treatments, we’d fire up a card game or Instagram and just scroll. We couldn’t talk because of her inhaled medications, but we didn’t need to. We simply enjoyed each other’s presence and didn’t need anything more. It’s almost odd to me that I sometimes forget Danica has CF, because she’s often so healthy, and the treatments and meds are normal to me.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Danica has been my best friend for 11 years and she knows me better than I know myself. She’s helped me through difficult times in my life and I truly don’t know what I’d do without her. However, in life there are ups and downs. Danica contracted the flu and she’s been hospitalized for over a month. The hardest part for me is knowing there is so little I can do to help. I know that holding a hand, making a smoothie or giving a foot rub makes all the difference. But, I find myself wishing there were more that I could do to help her or at least share in her pain.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ She and her family need any and all prayers you have to offer right now. I’m hoping and praying with everything I’ve got that she’ll soon be healthy enough to graduate and attend college as she planned.⁣ ⁣ You can do this Danica! I love you more than anything my BFFWAWP!!⁣

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About the Author

Luisa Palazola avatar
Luisa Palazola Luisa Palazola is a 25-year-old with CF living in Memphis, Tennessee. She injects her perspective as a Hispanic woman and her love for life and stories in all her interactions. In her downtime, she's learning Portuguese and is an avid coffee lover.

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