Valiant Voice – a Column by Lara Govendo

Have you ever been asked why your parents didn’t undergo prenatal genetic testing? During a hospitalization for cystic fibrosis (CF) in my early 20s, a nurse asked my mom this question right in front of me. I rolled my eyes because I’d heard it before, although it didn’t take…

As I write this, I’m sick with a fever and chills. I know it’s a result of being stressed in recent weeks and neglecting self-care, but I feel the need to keep moving at the same fast pace. I hate putting my life on hold because of my health. After…

My life with chronic illness has been a tumultuous ride on multiple levels, but I’m also grateful for the life I’ve been granted, especially since my cystic fibrosis (CF) spurred my double-lung transplant in 2017. I thought it’d be fun to share eight lessons of life and health that…

Advocacy isn’t just cool; it’s often a matter of life and death. If you’ve read my column, you know how passionate I am about advocacy. Given my experience living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and undergoing a double-lung transplant seven years ago, I can confidently say I’ve…

Because I was born with cystic fibrosis, my body has always operated differently from others. Most people don’t understand what I go through daily, and it was exhausting to explain myself with failing lungs. Since my double-lung transplant seven years ago, I’ve had the capacity to educate others…

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) has required various hardware to be placed in my body, including a port-a-cath in my chest. This allows me to do blood draws and receive medication in the easiest way possible. Although my journey with this device has been like a roller coaster, I’m…

Before my double-lung transplant eight years ago, I notoriously sacrificed my health for my job. I attempted to keep up with the able-bodied people around me, ignoring my limitations, and pushing past what my body could endure. And I paid the price for it. I learned the hard way…

I felt like I’d received a roundhouse kick to the head while drunk. My head was pounding and I couldn’t think straight. Words were difficult to form. Sentences seemed impossible. This might sound like the result of a wild night of partying, but for me, these were actually signs of…

By the time you read this, I will have just celebrated one year of being married to my incredible husband. I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve already learned a few valuable lessons about marriage in relation to my health. Life with cystic fibrosis and almost eight…

Nurses save lives. It might sound dramatic, but it’s true. Throughout my journey with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a double-lung transplant nearly eight years ago, I’ve encountered nurses in every season of life. They’ve been present in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They’ve coordinated my care, worked behind…