So here we are...Gaz and I, setting up this website for people with C.F. but why? And where did we get the idea? And what is different about this website?

A few years ago now, probably nearing 3, I logged on to the CF Trust website, after reading in their newsletter that the trust had it up and running. In trying to navigate around the site (am not particularly technically-minded!) I stumbled across the message forum, (Visit CF Trust Message Boards) where there are boards for kids, teens and adults to post messages on. There were only a handful of people using the boards at this time, one of which was Gaz.

I felt we had a fair bit in common (CF genes aside!) and we quickly swapped email addresses and the MSN'ing began! My memories are vague as to who made the first move, but eventually we decided that Internet rendezvous weren't good enough and we needed to talk on the phone. I remember being so nervous but we got on so well in cyberspace and via text etc.

Sure enough we chatted away for ages, and we haven't looked back since! We talk about everything, life, the Universe, chips, obviously CF and all its nasty complications crop up many a time!

We often talked about meeting up, but held back, mainly due to geographical reasons but also because of cross infection regulations; we knew we had the same bugs but it still seemed a little risky. So instead we continued to bond via phone, text, email, and even the odd hand written card.

Then last august, Gaz was booked into the Royal Brompton for his transplant assessment. The Royal Brompton is my main care hospital, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I could pop my head round the door and say hi, and we could actually meet face to face!
I was going on holiday to Greece but promised that I would come and visit when I got back. But as sods law (or maybe fate!) would have it, I caught a rather stonking infection whilst I was there, so within 24hrs of being home, I found myself in the Royal Brompton, and also in the rather bizarre scenario of being down the corridor from someone who I considered one of my closest friends, yet had never met in my life!

I remember vividly cautiously approaching his door, and I could hear him talking on the other side. I knew that voice so well and it was so strange to think that I was finally going to put a face to it! Needless to say, any worries of awkwardness or shyness disappeared very quickly, and I spent the majority of the next week in Gaz's room!!

We did a fair bit; from wailing stupid songs about cat killers (don't ask), to watching a rather frightening and sobering transplant video. But the time we did spend together was fab and proved that we'd be life-long friends.

Unfortunately we haven't been able to meet up since. And not for want of trying! But CF gets in the way of everything you do, and poor health on both our parts has meant that we can't meet up, which is highly frustrating.

I can't remember when exactly I had the idea to do this website, but I know what gave me the idea; click on the Friends For Life link to see our inspiration. Friendship is important in any aspect of life, but it is invaluable when it comes to CF. With a fellow "CFer" you can share your deepest fears and whinge away and they understand. Plus it helps that Gaz appreciates my blondeness and stripy socks, which makes him an even more invaluable soul mate.

So this website is different because it covers all sorts of aspects of CF. We both have it, so know what it is like, but we also understand how it feels to watch someone you care about go through the ups and downs. Plus the website is just OOOH so pretty!

So please make use of the website, have a look around, leave lots of lovely comments in the guestbook and if you have any ideas for additional pages then feel free to E-mail us!

The Life Of PWCF