BROGAN & BREKLYN

The energy and excitement was palpable as Brogran Cross, 8, and Breklyn Cross, 6, described their recent Make-A-Wish trip and gifts. 

Brogan and Breklyn are active and happy kids, participating in such activities as volleyball, basketball and football at recess and P.E.

And riding horses.

Brogan is the typical older sibling, not one bit shy, as he took charge of the interview for this story by sharing both of their experiences. But eventually, his sister Breklyn got to tell her story.

Banner County School students Brogan, a third-grader, and Breklyn, a first-grader, have CF – cystic fibrosis. They were born with it. Neither parent, dad Brady and mom Keah Cross, had no inkling that CF would afflict not one but both of their children. Brady is a Banner County farmer and rancher, while Keah is a flight nurse for LifeNet in North Platte.

The cystic fibrosis diagnosis came when Brogan, like all newborns, was screened in the hospital. Each state requires newborn screening for a variety of conditions. The screening showed positive for CF. Within two weeks, Brady, Keah and a tiny little Brogan had an appointment at Children's Hospital in Denver, and the family began their long ordeal.

Where did this cystic fibrosis come from? Without knowing, both Brady and Keah Cross were carriers of the CF gene. When both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance that a child will inherit the disease.

On their first trip to Denver with Brogan, the Cross family was informed about the life expectancy for a child with CF was 42-45 years of age. Despite the original diagnosis, they remain optimistic and as Keah says, they feel fortunate.

The kids are on a new drug, Trikafta, which has shown lots of promise for CF people. This drug, while not a cure, has improved the kids' quality of life, and it lengthens the life of many older individuals with CF.

Brady and Keah learned that second hand smoke and pet dander are two of the worst things for cystic fibrosis. As a rancher, Brady's first concern was the outside animals, cattle especially, but he was also worried that the smoke from brandings would affect the kids. The doctor was unconcerned about smoke at brandings, and they now participate in all the local brandings.

The Mayo Clinic states that cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in people with the CF gene it causes the secretions to become sticky and thick. Instead of acting as lubricants, the secretions plug up tubes, ducts and passageways, especially in the lungs and pancreas.

Despite their condition, Brogan and Breklyn maintain a rigorous daily routine of school, sports and outside play. But their daily routine also includes twice-a-day physical therapy with a vibrating vest to loosen the mucus in their lungs, taking a specific number of enzyme pills before meals, and more importantly, their daily dose of Trikafta. However, their condition never overshadows their dreams and wishes, such as owning an RV and swimming with dolphins.

In order to be considered for Make-A-Wish, Brogan and Breklyn's Children's Hospital doctor had to recommend them and they met with the Make-A-Wish organization and waited. Finally, the kids were instructed to selected their three top wishes and they met with Make-A-Wish officials via Zoom.

The qualification process started in January and by June Brogan was the proud owner of an RV. Then, in October, Breklyn swam with the dolphins.

Brogan's top three wishes included an RV camper, meeting Patrick Mahomes, or a Playstation 5. Mom and Dad axed the PS5, and Patrick Mahomes does participate in Make-A-Wish but no date could be arrived at for Mahomes.

Make-A-Wish selected the RV for Brogan. After qualifying in January and meeting with officials in June, 10 days later, Brogan and his family picked up his RV. They have already used Brogan's camper many times during the summer for trips to the lake. Their fall and winter plans include ice fishing and hunting in Brogan's camper.

Brogan even made up the rules for the campers, which include:

• No. 1 – Take shoes off when you are on the bed.

• No. 2 – No grownups on the bunkbeds (there is a weight limit on the bunkbeds).

• No. 3 – Don't trash the place up.

• No. 4 – No running, so you don't kill yourself.

Breklyn's top wishes were a treehouse and to swim with the dolphins. Make-A-Wish gave Breklyn her dream of swimming with the dolphins and a side trip to Disney World.

The highlight of the five-day trip was swimming and getting kissed by Aries and Astra (mother and daughter dolphins). Breklyn hung onto the fins as the dolphins took her swimming. They went snorkeling and saw a stingray, Brogan explained.

Breklyn especially liked meeting the Disney princesses and characters at Disney World. Certainly a trip to cherish forever.

According to their website, Make-A-Wish gives children with critical illnesses renewed strength to fight their illnesses and helps bring families closer together.