Key terms:

This blog is a little jumpy so far, but I'm hoping to better organize it at a later date...in other words, it's going to be jumpy. Today's post is going to be short, as I am quite busy! Below are a few terms that are used amongst CF'ers, and they can shed some light on the  posts that will follow.

• PFTs- Pulmonary Function Test, also known as spirometry, measure several functions of your lungs. This includes: total volume, diffusion capacity, arterial blood gas (ABGs) and depending on your health, other measurements. 
• Tune up- Going in the hospital for a week or two just to get your lungs back to their baseline functions. A tune up usually includes a poorly decorated room, nurses, doctors, and residents that will be sure to ask you every possible question about your life. A couple of weeks of getting pumped with IVs either through a PICC line (see below) or a Port (see below). Nasty hospital food, and a gown that doesn't really accentuate anything!
• PICC line- Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter- a semi- long term IV that is usually inserted in the upper arm, and stops near your arteries. It generally takes 30 minutes to an hour to have the line inserted. Antibiotics are fed through this tube and your arteries pump it throughout your body. A picc line can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. The dressing on it is to be changed once a week, and it needs to be flushed with Heparin (blood thinner) every few hours to keep the line clear of clots.
• Port- a port is an IV line that is accessed only when needed. Its a little more long term, and is less likely to become infected or compromised. It's placed in the chest, usually, and looks like a stack of quarters sitting under your skin.
• Vest- a vest that inflates with air and shakes your lungs. the purpose of this is to loosen up the mucus
• Treatments- includes the aforementioned vest, plus nebulizer treatments such as albuterol, hypertonic saline, pulmozyme and tobi
• Cyster- how a woman with CF refers to a female friend who also has CF
• Fibro- how a man with CF refers to a male friend who also has CF
• Clinic- a whole day dedicated to visiting with doctors, dieticians, pulmonologists, physical therapy, and meeting with a psychiatrist or social worker. Usually lasts the whole day and includes, but not limited to, receiving stickers and lollipops.