Valiant Voice – a Column by Lara Govendo

There are three F-words that describe a few of the changes I’ve experienced since having a double-lung transplant eight years ago. After living with cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs for 30 years, having new lungs has been a miracle. It hasn’t come without adjustments, though. The three areas most affected…

Germs. I imagine them floating through the air, gravitating toward me because they know somehow that I’m immune-compromised. I picture them swirling around my face, getting sucked into my nostrils and pulled into my transplanted lungs, threatening my very existence. I’m pretty sure that’s also how it went when I…

Sometimes, memories are triggered by my senses — things I hear, see, smell, or touch — and before I know it, I’m spiraling down a rabbit hole of past trauma from my life with cystic fibrosis (CF). It’s fascinating how my five senses remember everything and often transport me…

Inhale. Exhale. Ah. If only it were that simple. Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) has given me a sixth sense about my breathing. I pay more attention to every breath than I do to most anything else. It’s at the forefront of my mind constantly. I don’t clock in,…

I used to think that I needed to wait until my health was perfect before I could do all the things I wanted to do. I’d say, “Once I get this surgery done … ,” or, “Once my lung function cooperates … ,” or, “When I feel better … ”…

I’m just back from taking part in the Transplant Games of America, where 966 transplant recipients and living donors gathered in Denver to make history. The event saw the most organ transplant recipients and living donors gathered in one place, meaning we made the Guinness Book of World Records!…

“Why are you so tired? You don’t even do anything.” Cue all the puzzled facial expressions. Prior to my double-lung transplant eight years ago, I slowed down a lot. As my cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease continued to progress rapidly, my energy levels and ability to function outside…

“Can you help me?” It seems like a simple request, but it’s not so easy for me to say those words. I feel guilty asking for help and ashamed that I need assistance. Living with cystic fibrosis can make me feel like a burden because of my health…

I’ve been anxious since the removal of my beloved port-a-cath. Living with cystic fibrosis has frequently necessitated the use of intravenous antibiotics. A few years prior to my double-lung transplant in 2017, I needed IVs every few weeks. But my veins grew tired, so I had a…

My husband, Chris, and I celebrated two years of marriage on May 25, but it feels like we’ve been together longer, given all that we’ve been through this year, which saw way more sickness than health. As I reflect on the past year, I’m so grateful for my husband, who…