There are plenty of reasons why my life is rare
Several pieces of my life puzzle happen to be rare. First thing’s first: I have cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare disease that affects about 40,000 people in the United States. (The U.S.
Valiant Voice — Lara Govendo
Lara Govendo resides in Vermont as a wild, adventurous lady who also happens to be a licensed clinical professional counselor. She dives deep into controversial topics by talking about her own struggles to help others feel less alone, educate about all aspects of health, and encourage others that there’s always hope. Thanks to her double-lung transplant in 2017 due to cystic fibrosis, you can now find Lara ministering about Jesus, exploring the glorious outdoors with her husband, and belly laughing with people around the planet. She can be reached on her website at www.hungry4hopeconsulting.com.
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What I look for when I’m on a search for doctors
I have a love-hate relationship with doctors. Being born with cystic fibrosis (CF) has afforded me the opportunity to have experiences with several doctors throughout my life. Having a double-lung transplant seven…
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Pay it forward with kindness after you’ve been a recipient
I’m willing to bet that when people perform random acts of kindness, they’re not so random. It comes from the heart’s desire to do something kind for people. I also think it’s a matter…
My birthdays bring fresh hope every year
I just celebrated another year on this planet in December. My birthday has become a time of deep reflection as I age with cystic fibrosis (CF), sprinkling in an added layer of life…
My immune system is different since my double-lung transplant
I thought about my immune system in a completely different way before my double-lung transplant seven years ago. Boosting my immune system to fight infections was par for my course, given the cystic…
The value of bodily autonomy for those of us living with cystic fibrosis
I learned about the notion of bodily autonomy from a dear friend who, like me, has cystic fibrosis (CF). Before, I’d been oblivious about the subject; it hadn’t occurred to me that it…
Why I wish people wouldn’t search cystic fibrosis online
What is cystic fibrosis (CF)? I get asked this question on the regular. My automatic response is: Please don’t search it online. No, really. Just don’t. I equate searching CF online to looking…
A new diagnosis validates my mysterious breathlessness
Since my double-lung transplant seven years ago, I’ve struggled with breathlessness during exercise. I was used to this symptom while living with cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs, but I didn’t expect to deal with…
Lessons I’ve learned about advocacy and disability accommodations
Over the years, I’ve had many experiences with disability accommodations, for better or for worse. I was born with cystic fibrosis (CF) and have had health challenges my entire life. After my double-lung…
Here’s why you should never judge a book by its cover
I might look like I have it all together, but right now, my belly aches, my brain is foggy, and I can’t seem to focus long enough to write this column. From the outside,…
Phrases in the CF community that you don’t hear anywhere else
Something specific to the cystic fibrosis (CF) world is how we talk and the words we say. After living with CF my whole life, I’ve gained insight into our speech compared with…
I’m still healing from trauma 7 years after a double-lung transplant
It feels surreal that I had a double-lung transplant seven years ago. The season of life leading up to my transplant is still present in my mind as I reflect on what I…
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