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I’ve been in pain so long that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel pain in one part of my body or another. Through surgeries, procedures, medication side effects, and the injuries of everyday life, pain has been a constant companion for me and continues to affect my…

By the time my late daughter, Jasmine, turned 17, our days had settled into a kind of uneasy peace. The routines that helped us manage her cystic fibrosis (CF) had become second nature. Every morning began with the bronchial drainage machine thumping away in the living room as…

I took part in physical therapy (PT) on a weekly basis to build my strength during the lead-up to my double-lung transplant nine years ago. PT was mandatory to complete the prerequisite requirements to be listed for a transplant, but I learned so much about myself in ways that…

Life at home never really went back to normal after Jasmine’s last hospital stay. She was 16 and wise beyond her years in ways that only kids who’ve spent too much time in hospitals can be. Every day was a balancing act for me, between being her parent and being…

I celebrated nine whole years with my new lungs on Aug. 18. My husband took me to my favorite lake, where we logged some hours at the beach, jumped into the cold water, and ate at our favorite local spots. The day gave me some much-needed time to reflect on…

I recently had the privilege of attending a virtual experience called Spit It Out. That’s a storytelling and public speaking training series created with a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Impact Grant. It’s led by Katherine Russell. And this Impact Grant truly impacted me. Russell, who has cystic fibrosis (CF)…

There’s nothing I love more than alliteration. It might be a bit dramatic, but I think Advocacy August, one of my favorite months, warrants the drama. I’m passionate about advocacy, both from personal experience and as a therapist. Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and navigating the healthcare system…

My daughter, Jasmine, went to her first school dance when she was 16. It was the kind of night she had dreamed about and worked hard to reach, despite dealing with cystic fibrosis. She had prepared carefully, making sure her bronchial drainage treatments were done, her nebulizer…

It’s only mid-August, and already the stores are stacked with Halloween decorations. Every year, this catches me off guard, and I find myself a little annoyed by it. I’m not ready to rush through summer. I love the warmth of the sun on my skin, the feeling of fresh air…

One of the biggest changes between my life before my lung transplant and my post-transplant life has been with my body temperature. Before my double-lung transplant, I ran hot all the time. I remember a night I was being transported from my home hospital to a transplant hospital for…