Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Comes to Billings Clinic

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By MacLeod Hageman

Story Published: Dec 21, 2011 at 8:12 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 22, 2011 at 4:00 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Cystic Fibrosis used to be a death sentence for those born with the disease. A newly accredited program at Billings Clinic became a Godsend for one local family.

Eighteen-month-old Adaira Mehling was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system of nearly 70,000 children. "When Adaira was born, about four weeks after that, she had various hospital tests. They told us that one of her tests was irregular. The test that measured her pancreatic efficiency, and a few tests later they confirmed that she tested positive for Cystic Fibrosis," Randy Mehling; Adaira's father said.

When Randy and his wife Lanor heard the news, their first thought was, 'how much longer will Adaira live?'

"When they told us it was Cystic Fibrosis, it was probably the lowest day in Lenore and my life," Randy said.

Fortunately for the Mehlings, Billings Clinic had just been accredited through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "I now have more of a sense of relief for the families. Because of this accreditation, we have more increased funding through the CF Foundation, which has allowed us to provide increased education for the ancillary staff for CF patients," Dr. Jerimiah Lysinger; Pediatric Pulmonologist said.

Dr. Lysinger said the process took nearly nine months. Billings Clinic was brought up to code so doctors could help increase the life expectancy for people living with the disease, like little Adaira. "Our first meeting was rather traumatic for the parents. Even though we have come a very long way in the medical field, it's still a life-shortening and life-threatening disease," Dr. Lysinger said.

He pointed out the accreditation was an important step for the hospital and patients. Billings Clinic will hold a special walk in the spring of 2012 to raise funds for research. The median age for life expectancy for someone with the disease is 37 years. Doctors say before medical advancements, most people with the disease rarely made it to their first birthday.

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