Adam on life and CF

By Adam Mills

My name is Adam Mills, I am 34 years of age and live in NSW.

 I am a husband, proud father to two beautiful girls aged 9 and 7, and I am a Registered Paramedic with NSW Ambulance.  

I was diagnosed with CF at 6 weeks of age and like many others with CF, I’ve had my ups and downs when it comes to juggling my CF, family, and social life. What I have come to realise over the years is CF does not define, dictate, or control who I am. It is something I have to manage daily but I am the only one that can choose to do my treatments and be healthy or not do them and play the victim.  

I have always tried to live as normal life as possible. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the world, play local and representative cricket since I was nine, study for a university degree and now work as a paramedic helping people in their time of need.   

I get asked frequently by those close to me and by strangers, “Aren’t you afraid that you could deteriorate, need new lungs or die?” For many, this might be a confronting question, however, for me, my answer is simple, “No!” Death is a certainty of life, I’m lucky that I have an idea of what might cause it and I can control and prolong its deterioration. However, my fear is being told that I cannot do something because I have CF.      

I’ve remained healthy over the years with my CF and this, largely with a lot of thanks to my dad when I was a child, and now my wife and children for always ensuring that I have done my treatments and calling me out when I feel like not doing them.

Through doing my treatments and the basics of CF management my last hospital admission was 19 years ago. To all those out there with CF, the management of this illness is changing. It has changed dramatically for me over the years. CF is not a death sentence and you can live a normal and happy life without anyone knowing you even have it. It may get tough at times but, YOU CAN DO IT!  

My CF journey has not been done alone. It has taken an army of people to get me to where I am currently with my CF. It has been an army of doctors, social workers, friends and family that have lived this with me.

It wasn’t until I became a father that I experienced first-hand what it’s like to see one of your children sick and lying in a hospital bed. I have to do the treatments and take all the meds but my community and support network have their own battle with me having CF – it’s just on a different front that we may not understand.   

Therefore, if I can give one piece of advice, it would be to not be hard on them and get mad when they are constantly asking you to do your treatments. They are doing this because they care and want to keep you out of hospital and as healthy as possible.

I know we are all having our individual battles but together we are stronger so THANK YOU to my support network and to every single one of you reading this story who don’t get the appreciation you deserve. We couldn’t do this without you.   

I wish you all nothing, but good health and happiness, keep up the good work – you’re doing great!