Lara, 33, resides in Vermont (for now) as a wild, adventure enthusiast who holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling. She writes about living out loud and develops educational programs to restore hope to those in need. Thanks to her double-lung transplant in 2017 due to cystic fibrosis, you can now find Lara traveling on the regular, exploring the glorious outdoors, and belly laughing with her loves. She’s passionate about connecting with like-minded people, so join her at www.laragovendo.com and on social media (“Lungs4Lovey”) while she flies by the seat of her (no) pants.
Today’s society comes with the expectation that we should all meet certain life benchmarks by particular ages. We’re inundated with the “shoulds.” You should go to college and be successful right out the gate. You should get married by 25 years old and have kids at 26. You should have…
Inpatient hospital stays are common for those of us with cystic fibrosis (CF). Before my double-lung transplant almost six years ago, I’d live at the hospital for several weeks at a time. During those stays, I developed a skill set for thriving while inpatient. Following are some tactics…
Last weekend, I finally got around to getting my yardwork done. I mulched around the walkway and the side of my condo and planted flowers in the garden. When a friend heard what I’d done, he asked, “Is that a chore, or is it fun?” “It’s fun!” I replied. It’s…
Throughout my journey with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a double-lung transplant, I’ve learned a thing or two about how medical trauma can affect mental and physical health. It’s been essential for me to realize that healing is a marathon, not a sprint, and that I need to be…
Cystic fibrosis (CF) often feels like a foreign friend since I got new lungs five years ago. Before that, CF was my constant companion; I always felt its presence. With aggressive lung disease, I was continually congested, did rigorous breathing treatments, and cleared my mucus-filled lungs 24/7. Other…
After I had flown under the radar for three years to avoid it, COVID-19 eventually hit me like a ton of bricks last January. Having cystic fibrosis (CF) and transplanted lungs added to the fear of what this virus might do to me. It started on a Thursday…
Perhaps the most pertinent word to describe National Donate Life Month in April is “hope.” People waiting on the transplant list, their loved ones, medical professionals, and donor families all experience it to different degrees. Each brings a unique voice to the word as it relates to organ donation.
I’ve talked a lot about dreaming about the future, but not really about planning for it. Being born with cystic fibrosis (CF) made it challenging to depend on my health, so planning for the future never felt like a viable option. But now, more than five years after…
I resonate with springtime on a soul level. The hint of warmth in the air, the daffodil buds popping up, and the overall sense of renewal bring me such joy. Spring reminds me of my own rebirth I experienced after my double-lung transplant five years ago. With new lungs,…
Isolation runs rampant in the rare disease community. As a byproduct, so does feeling alone. My journey with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been challenging, and I’ve often felt like I’m the only one fighting this disease. Thankfully, I found camaraderie through community right before my double-lung transplant five…
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