Lanie is 12 years old and has cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce mucus that’s extremely thick and sticky. The mucus in people with CF is thicker than normal because CF affects cells in the epithelium (pronounced: eh-puh-thee-lee-um), the layer of cells that lines the passages in the body’s organs. In a person who does not have CF, the epithelial cells produce a thin, watery mucus that acts like a lubricant and helps protect the body’s tissues. In a person with CF, however, the thicker mucus doesn’t move as easily. This thick, sticky mucus clogs passages in many of the body’s organs and infection sets in.
Learn more about living with cystic fibrosis.
The Coping Cart at Norton Children’s Hospital is designed to help ease children’s stress and anxiety.
I love you Lanie. I miss you.