I Have Cystic Fibrosis, and CF Has Me

Ella Balasa avatar

by Ella Balasa |

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CF has me

(Courtesy of Ella Balasa)

I hear others say “I have CF. CF doesn’t have me.” This may be an accurate statement for some, the small percentage of patients who are not limited by this disease. Those who climb mountain peaks, work 60 hours a week, and raise three children. They could say this statement is true. They conquer everything, despite CF.

I am not one of these patients. I am optimistic, though. I’m optimistic that one day I will sprint faster than you (with transplanted lungs). I’m optimistic that I will leave this world having made some kind of impact on those around me, and maybe others that I am unaware of. But with this DNA in the cells of my lungs, I can’t do it all.

I’ve had significant events and minute moments in my life that have been affected by CF, although it’s not always apparent to the world around me. However, I don’t claim that CF has altered my life for the worst. Instead, I show the reality.

CF had me most recently when I was planning to go to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc.’s Family Education Conference. Being a director for the U.S. Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association, I wanted to connect with fellow CF directors and hear about the amazing new research the CF community is eager to benefit from. Unfortunately, due to CF infection guidelines and the bacteria I harbor in my lungs, I posed a risk to other CF patients, so I was restricted from attending.

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Recently, as my form of exercise, I have been playing tennis. CF has me when it grasps my airways after just a few serves. I feel my lungs expanding but not getting enough air, exhausted from a previous sprint of just a few feet. I watch as the ball spins toward the far corner of the court. In my mind, my legs are in the air moving toward it, but in reality, they have just elevated the sole of my foot for the first step. The muscles are depleted of oxygen, waiting for the next burst for them to spring into action, but it never comes. Instead, they continue straining with what little reserve they have, for one-quarter of their potential. The quarter that comes from the lungs that function at one-quarter of what they should.

CF dictated the direction my life would take when upon graduation I was offered my dream job, but I didn’t take that career path. Spending four hours a day on breathing treatments, attending frequent doctor’s appointments, having occasional hospital stays and health insurance factors, as well as maintaining a social life and community involvement weren’t conducive to a full-time working schedule. Choosing not to advance in my career as my peers did made me feel left behind. Instead, keeping my health as the focus, I chose part-time employment.

CF has me when I have an exacerbation and lots of congestion in my lungs. On occasion during these times, I’ve taken the flight of stairs from the basement out into the sunshine after work. After a few steps outside, I feel the absence of air in my lungs. I gasp and then panic. Thoughts flood my mind, “Will I pass out on the pavement?” “Is my lung collapsing again?” I have these thoughts when I’m unable to breathe. Until my breath evens out, and my heart rate slows, I say to myself: “Ella, keep taking one small step, one next breath.” From the perspective of someone walking or driving by, this event would be unnoticeable unless they looked closely at my chest rapidly rising or heard the crackling sounds my breath makes as the air squeezes past mucus-filled lungs.

CF will have me when it comes time to have a family. The likelihood of being able to physically carry a child is reduced due to the safety of my health and infertility. In addition to these considerations, there are other unknowns, for example, whether I would be in good enough health to raise a child if I adopt or use a surrogate.

These are some of the ways that my life has been affected by CF. Most of the time, it’s not bad, but it is a deviation from what I’d expected. I don’t feel that I have missed out on life because of CF. I’ve traveled to Europe and sat in front of the Colosseum in Rome doing breathing treatments! Yet, I recognize sometimes this disease stops me from taking that next leap.

The effects on my health that are bad could always be worse. It’s relative. If you compare your situation to one you deem worse, then your situation is fine. Kind of like the half-full, half-empty analogy — it’s how you look at it.

If CF didn’t have me, these events in my life would play out differently. CF gives my life spontaneity.

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Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.

Comments

Agnes Balasa avatar

Agnes Balasa

Your cup is more than half full, actually overflowing, with the exuberance you pour into it!
You are an inspiration!

Reply
Ella Balasa avatar

Ella Balasa

Thank you Mom. I love you

Reply
Gisele Lapointe avatar

Gisele Lapointe

Ella,
Your first paragraph struck me. This was exactly my daughter when she was in her early twenties. She even looked like you on that picture. She was diagnosed with CF at the age of 19, but she more or less ignored it and lived her life as if nothing had happened, travelling all over Europe in the summer, skiing in the coldest weather, hiking mountain, playing tennis, staying up late, etc. Once in a while it would catch up with her and she had to spend a few days in the hospital for a tune up as she said. She graduated from university and started a career as a portfolio manager for a very busy Los Angeles company. At 27 she met a man and fell in love, at 29 she married because she had made up her mind to have children. As you know, it is not an easy decision to make, but she figured she could do it all. After two artificially-inseminated pregnancies that went superbly, she got pregnant naturally after being prescribed a "new" medication that liquified her secretions. So 3 pregnancies in 8 years later her health started to deteriorate specially since she had to have a cesarean at 7 months; she then needed a transplant in a hurry. No time to go on a donor list, so she received a double lobe transplant from her husband and her brother. She survived 2-1/2 years, but unfortunately passed away at the age of 43. So, yes CF always does catch up with you, it is a fatal disease.

Yet, having followed what has been achieved so far in research and development of new drugs, I believe that if she were 20 right now there would be a chance that a cure would be found in her lifetime.

So, Ella, that's what I wish for you, that CF never has you.

Reply
Ella Balasa avatar

Ella Balasa

Gisele,
Thank you for sharing the story of your daughter with me. She sounded like a woman full of life and love. Thank you, also, for your heartfelt words to me. I hope to live a full and happy life with whatever time I have, and if/when CF should really have me, I will know I gave my all.

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Mike avatar

Mike

God Bless Ella, you are an inspiration. My 9-year-old son has CF, and I pray he will have as great an attitude as you do when he gets older. I'll be praying for your complete healing too, and that each day will be a joyous one. Thanks also for the work you do for the ACFA, it is much appreciated.

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Ella Balasa avatar

Ella Balasa

Thank you so much Mike! I really appreciate your kind words and prayers!

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Wanda avatar

Wanda

Ella,
I appreciated your honesty in your article. I am 51 years old and have CF. I have been relatively healthy for a person with CF although as I have aged it has had a greater hold on me. I too have heard many CFers state that CF does not define them or their life but I have never felt that way. Having CF meant not being able to pursue the career I really wanted, military or CIA, and it meant not having children. Many other decisions in my life have been dicated by having CF. Like you, I have a positive attitude and enjoy life but it is not without challenges. I am hiking the Virginia Xtreme hike next month. I hike for myself and others with CF in hopes better treatments are found and of course a cure or perhaps they can grown lungs in a lab for transplanation. I will keep you in my thoughts as I ascend the mountain ridges in Virginia!

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Ella Balasa avatar

Ella Balasa

Hello Wanda,
I hope you continue to stay as healthy as you can for as long as possible! It is amazing you are doing the extreme hike. I live in Virginia as well, Richmond. I admire your determination and thanks for sharing with me!

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