Columns

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) means navigating a complex medical journey that can feel isolating, even when the clinical care is excellent. When I faced the life-altering decision to pursue a double-lung transplant, I discovered the power of community support. Through both national resources and local connections, support groups…

Ironically, I thought about the subject of this column — the importance of rest — a couple of weeks ago while running in Seattle, a city known for its frequent rainfall. I was preparing for the Virtual Marine Corps Marathon 10K (MCM10K), which was scheduled for the following day. I…

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) is a daily balancing act of medications, fatigue, breathing treatments, and managing my energy levels. Some days feel manageable, and others feel like I’m climbing a mountain with no summit in sight. But for me, a dog (or two) has always been a source…

I’ve always had to play detective when it comes to my health. Running through a list of checks and balances, I can typically determine what’s going on in my body. After living in it for 38 years, one could say I’m an ol’ pro at connecting symptoms with which…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has a way of stripping one’s agency and limiting control over circumstances and the future. It is difficult, isolating, and can lead to dark places. For me, advocacy has been a balm that tempers feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and isolation. Over the years, I’ve served…

One month ago, my daughter got married. I woke up early that morning and took a long, slow, deep breath. For someone who has lived with cystic fibrosis (CF), that simple act felt like a miracle. But the real miracle was still ahead — walking my daughter down the…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is just about everywhere right now, capturing the world’s attention and economic markets. Along with near-daily headlines about what AI promises to do for — or to — humanity, there’s also been some very promising advances in the use of AI in medicine. It seems that…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with prednisone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Current situation: I’m sitting in bed eating potato chips and drinking ice-cold ginger ale while my husband is fast asleep…

Throughout my life, I’ve felt comfortable self-disclosing to schools and employers that I have cystic fibrosis (CF). Self-disclosure — defined as “the sharing of personal information with others that they would not normally know or discover” — has allowed me to claim agency and decide what I want shared…

In my life with cystic fibrosis (CF), the antibiotic tobramycin has saved my life countless times. But 15 years ago, it took something from me that I’ll never get back. Toxicity from the drug permanently destroyed the tiny hair cells in my inner ear, leaving me with vestibular…