There is an incredible place that calls Fort Worth home.
A place where joy and laughter are in abundance; a place where teddy bears are made and loved; a place where healing is top priority; and those that work inside are warm, loving, and many times goofy. They work hours on end to heal those that venture into their walls. You can even get an Oreo milkshake there. This place is Cook Children’s Medical Center.
For the past three years, my little family has grown to love Cook Children’s, specifically my daughter Layla who has Cystic Fibrosis. Because of her condition, we venture to Cook Children’s quarterly to meet with the phenomenal pulmonary team in the Dodson Specialty Clinic at Cook Children’s.
Let me share about Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a disease that I will fight with every ounce of my momma strength!
“Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF” (The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation).
CF causes the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus that leads to the blocking of pancreatic ducts, intestines, and bronchial tubes, which result in many respiratory infections. Those with CF work hard daily to combat all of these issues by taking pancreatic enzymes with every meal/snack to aid digestion, by doing percussion therapy on their lungs to break up the mucus that builds up, and by doing breathing treatments daily and sometimes multiple times per a day to fight infection and mucus build up. The mantra of a “cyster” or “fibro” is to JUST BREATHE.
Many times parents are unaware their child has CF until months after they are born. That was not the case with us as Layla was diagnosed while I was pregnant. We also had our first battle with CF on her second day of life when she still had not passed that infant milestone of her first dirty diaper, a.k.a. passing meconium. Due to her having CF, she was one of the 10-15 percent of CF patients whose meconium is just too thick and sticky to make its way out on its own and blocks the intestinal track. This is called meconium ileus; that was our first introduction to Cook Children’s.
I love that Cook Children’s is in our beloved Cowtown. I love that each time my Layla and I walk through the doors for an appointment, x-ray, or blood draw we are met with smiling and many times singing faces. I love that my daughter, even at 3 years old, says with complete confidence that she wants to “help people feel better just like Dr. Schultz” when she grows up. I love that even though the doctors, nurses, techs, and support staff are met with some of the saddest situations and loss of life, they rise up and still smile, because in the midst of the sadness, there is always healing and always so much JOY.
Thank you, Cook Children’s, for being there for us in our time of need when our children are bumped, bruised, or in the fight of their lives against a life-threatening illness. You are truly phenomenal, and we are blessed to have you just around the corner.
As I wrap up this love note, I wanted to provide y’all with a fun list of upcoming events that support Cook Children’s! They support so many families in their time of need so why not say, “thanks for being an integral part of our Cowtown community” by attending one. 🙂
- AGC/TXDot Golf Tournament / June 2 in Trophy Club / Benefitting the greatest need
- Quarter Café Bake Sale / July 14 in Arlington / Benefitting the PICU
- 9th annual Pickin’ for Preemies / Labor Day, September 1 at Billy Bob’s Texas / Benefitting the NICU
For details about these events or to keep up with what’s going on at Cook Children’s, go to www.cookchildrens.org or visit the Cook Children’s Health Foundation Facebook page.
Do you have a love note to Cook Children’s? A special doctor or nurse that helped you or your child? Please share with us!
