31 Days of CF

Photo courtesy of Lauren Michele Day 11 of 31 This is Lauren Michele’s story: Hey, y’all! I’m Lauren Michele, and I’m a 23-year-old cystic fibrosis (CF) patient from Dallas. I was diagnosed with CF at 5 months old, which means we’re basically family! Since we’re family, I believe we…

Joanie and Jorge Santander. Photo courtesy of Joanie Santander   Day 10 of 31 This is Joanie Santander’s story: While everyone around me was having what we in the cystic fibrosis (CF) community refer to as a “Trikafta baby,” I felt left out. Why wasn’t my…

Photo courtesy of Jenny Humphries Day 9 of 31 This is Jenny Humphries’ story: I’ve always been a planner. I don’t make a purchase without researching every possible option. If I’m going on a trip, you better believe I have a detailed itinerary with pictures and multiple backup plans.

Stephanie Stavros, her son Grey, and husband, Jim (Courtesy of Stephanie Stavros) Day 8 of 31 This is Stephanie Stavros’s story: It’s been my experience that living with cystic fibrosis (CF) requires that you prioritize your mental health just as much as your physical health.

From left, Winry and Cheyenne Sowder. Photo courtesy of Winry Sowder Day 7 of 31 This is Cheyenne and Winry Sowder’s (@thetinyrose) story: In 2016, at just 21 days old, my daughter, Winry, was finally diagnosed with cystic fibrosis after weeks of unanswered questions…

Craig and his wife Robyn pose with their son.  Photo courtesy of Craig Jones Day 6 of 31 This is Craig Jones’ story: My name is Craig Jones. I am 37 years old, from England, and I have CF. I was diagnosed at 3 weeks old. Throughout my life, I…

Photo courtesy of Amber Dawkins Day 5 of 31 This is Amber Dawkins’ story: There are 182 pills, neatly organized in a plastic container, the days of the week labeled in bold on each of the small sections. Just enough medication to last for seven days. Inhalers, nebulizers, airway…

Photo courtesy of Jen Kyle Day 4 of 31 This is Jen Kyle’s story: When I was diagnosed at age 37, I was at the height of my teaching career and newly married. It was a blow at first, learning new meds and routines along with learning…

Photo courtesy of Wes Hawkins Day 3 of 31: This is Wes Hawkins’ story: “You can control the disease, or you can let the disease control you.” Powerful words that my cystic fibrosis specialist told my parents when I was diagnosed at 3 years old. Words my parents…

Photo courtesy of Jamie Rudnycky Day 2 of 31 This is Jamie Rudnycky’s story: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is unique to our family in that we had a life with our child before the disease appeared. We spent Louisa’s first 18 months living life without enzymes, nebulizers,…