CForYourself: Growing older with CF

11/21/22 • 43 min

CForYourself: A podcast from Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Advances in our understanding of CF mean that there are many more effective treatments out there, so people with the condition are living longer than ever.

But the aging process can also bring its own challenges and issues to contend with. As well as physical concerns as your condition changes over time, there can be emotional, social and financial impacts to think about too. Whether that’s planning for a family, the burden of care, or concerns about how you can provide financially for your loved-ones. We’re going to be discussing all this and more in today’s episode of CForYourself.
Lucy enjoys a virtual cuppa and a chat with Tim Wotton about his experience of growing older with CF, including celebrating his 50th birthday, the breakthroughs he’s seen in his lifetime, and celebrating every breath. In this episode’s ask the expert segment, we focus on money matters and the financial impact of growing older with CF, something that we know is a deep concern for many people at the moment, with the rises in costs of living. Nicky, who is Welfare Officer at the Trust, shares some top tips for how you can plan financially for a future that you might not have previously envisaged.
This episode deals with some issues that listeners may find upsetting, including life expectancy, miscarriage, bereavement and mental health. If you have questions about any of the topics raised in this episode, we're here for you. You can call our Helpline on 0300 373 1000, or email [email protected].The views and experiences shared in this episode are individual to Tim and Lucy and may not reflect the experiences of the CF community.

Growing older with CF - Find out more about growing older with cystic fibrosis, and access relevant support and information.
Work and CF - Information on work and CF, including details of organisations that can provide support with discrimination.
Financial support - We provide a range of grants for people with cystic fibrosis and their families, support for those applying for benefits and information about prescription charges.
CF Forum - Join the conversation on our Forum and connect with other people with CF.
A guide for adults with cystic fibrosis and their partners - Find out more about the considerations involved when deciding whether or not you'd like to start a family if you or your partner have cystic fibrosis.
Miscarriage support - Tommy’s midwives can be contacted on 0800 014 7800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or email [email protected]
'How have I cheated death?' - Tim Wotton CF memoir
Postcards from Earth - Tim Wotton's blog

Advances in our understanding of CF mean that there are many more effective treatments out there, so people with the condition are living longer than ever.

Growing older with CF - Find out more about growing older with cystic fibrosis, and access relevant support and information.
Work and CF - Information on work and CF, including details of organisations that can provide support with discrimination.
Financial support - We provide a range of grants for people with cystic fibrosis and their families, support for those applying for benefits and information about prescription charges.
CF Forum - Join the conversation on our Forum and connect with other people with CF.
A guide for adults with cystic fibrosis and their partners - Find out more about the considerations involved when deciding whether or not you'd like to start a family if you or your partner have cystic fibrosis.
Miscarriage support - Tommy’s midwives can be contacted on 0800 014 7800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or email [email protected]
'How have I cheated death?' - Tim Wotton CF memoir
Postcards from Earth - Tim Wotton's blog

Previous Episode

CForYourself: Relationships and CF

The relationships we form are such an important part of our lives, whether that’s with your partner, loved ones, or colleagues. They shape the people we are, and those closest to us see us through the good and bad times; the milestones, the laughs and the tears. But sometimes balancing a relationship and a condition like CF can bring extra challenges to navigate, and we’re talking about this, as well as all the positive things it can bring to a relationship, in this episode of CForYourself.

Lucy enjoys a cuppa with her fiancée Phil, to get his perspective on being in a relationship with someone who has CF. She also chats to husband and wife Cameron and Heather about their Tinder love story, how they navigate their relationship with Cameron’s CF, welcoming their beautiful baby boy through IVF, and lots more.
If you have questions about any of the topics raised in this episode, we're here for you. You can call our Helpline on 0300 373 1000, or email [email protected].

CF Forum - Join the conversation on our Forum and connect with other people with CF.
Thinking of starting a family? A guide for adults with cystic fibrosis and their partners - Find out more about the considerations involved when deciding whether or not you'd like to start a family if you or your partner have cystic fibrosis.
Kaftrio - complex and individual experiences - This factsheet contains information for people with CF and their families, whether they are taking Kaftrio or not. It includes information about dealing with mixed emotions, managing changes, the reactions of family and friends, and other possible impacts of the Kaftrio.

Next Episode

CForYourself: FeBrewary special

In this special bonus episode of CForYourself, we are celebrating the start of our FeBrewary fundraising campaign.

We know this can be a miserable time of year for many people: Christmas has been and gone, the weather’s cold, and spring still seems so far away.

FeBrewary is a chance to brighten those gloomy days. Here at the Trust, we are encouraging the community to come together with friends and family during February– in person or online, host a tea party, and make your cuppa count.

To get in the spirit, Lucy is having a brew and catch up with the lovely Charlotte Bones. Charlotte is a supporter of the Trust and has raised vital funds over the years. Charlotte recently spoke movingly at our Carols by Candlelight service about her life with CF and how doctors advised her that, at age 27, she should prepare for the worst. She also talked about her experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of poor health, which left her in continuous pain.

“CF has never, and will never, get the better of me," Charlotte told the audience, and since starting Kaftrio, Charlotte's health has improved greatly.
In this episode, Lucy and Charlotte chat about a range of topics, including mental health, cross infection and Kaftrio. We also hear from Nicola, who works in our community fundraising team, about how listeners can get involved in FeBrewary 2023.
This episode deals with some issues that listeners may find upsetting, including life expectancy, mental health and Kaftrio. If you have questions about any of the topics raised in this episode, we're here for you. You can call our Helpline on 0300 373 1000, or email [email protected].The views and experiences shared in this episode are individual to Charlotte and Lucy and may not reflect the experiences of the CF community.

Growing older with CF - Find out more about growing older with cystic fibrosis, and access relevant support and information.
Work and CF - Information on work and CF, including details of organisations that can provide support with discrimination.
CF Forum - Join the conversation on our Forum and connect with other people with CF.
Kaftrio - complex and individual experiences - This factsheet contains information for people with CF and their families, whether they are taking Kaftrio or not. It includes information about dealing with mixed emotions, managing changes, the reactions of family and friends, and other possible impacts of the Kaftrio.
Cross infection - Cross-infection, or cross contamination, occurs when one person spreads an infection to another, either directly or indirectly. Find out how cross-infection affects people with cystic fibrosis, and what is done to combat the issue.
Research that’s underway that could help those who don’t benefit from CFTR modulators
FeBrewary - Make your cuppa count this FeBrewary. Host a tea party and raise vital funds, so we can continue to be there for everyone with CF.