Valiant Voice – a Column by Lara Govendo

Calm, cool, and collected: These are just a few words that describe how my husband, Chris, approaches my various health crises. I always knew my husband was incredible, but I’ve witnessed his strength on a deeper level over the past few months. My health challenges have made this a…

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…

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…

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…