9 lessons I’ve learned in the 9 years since my lung transplant
I celebrated 9 years with my new lungs on Aug. 18
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I celebrated nine whole years with my new lungs on Aug. 18. My husband took me to my favorite lake, where we logged some hours at the beach, jumped into the cold water, and ate at our favorite local spots.
The day gave me some much-needed time to reflect on the years since my double-lung transplant, which I needed due to cystic fibrosis. I was struck by how much I’ve learned, so I’m sharing nine nuggets of wisdom I’ve gleaned from my own experience to honor these nine years of new life.
The things I’ve learned
1. Life is unpredictable — for everyone, not just me. Sometimes I think I’m the only one, but in reality, those without chronic illness also experience uncertainty.
2. I haven’t met my allotment of suffering. There’s no such thing, apparently. I thought perhaps there was a quota for how much suffering one individual can live through. Turns out, there will always be hard times to contend with. That’s life.
3. My ability to be in the present is vital. The more that I work through my own medical trauma and navigate uncertainty, the more I realize how little control I have. This has given me the freedom to be in the present and enjoy the moment, rather than letting my mind wander and worry about the future.
4. Some people can’t be supportive when my health is uncertain. I understand how unsettling it can be to not be able to do anything to help, fix, or remedy someone else’s health situation, so I learned not to reach out to people who stress me out when I’m in the middle of a health crisis. Prioritizing my well-being in these moments is vital to managing my own anxiety.
Lara Govendo celebrates nine years with new lungs by enjoying the day at a favorite outdoor spot. (Courtesy of Lara Govendo)
5. People who can be in the hard times with me are priceless. My husband has been so healing for me in this arena. His even-keel approach to life grounds me. Taking my health in stride rather than fighting it has very much settled my own nervous system. He’s in it with me, which makes me feel less alone. I’m also grateful for friends who can be present in my struggle, pray with me, and support me.
6. Self-advocacy is everything. I can’t emphasize how important it is. It’s saved my life on more than one occasion and given me autonomy to drive my healthcare.
7. Reflecting on how far I’ve come is a good thing, but staying stuck in the past isn’t helpful for me. It continues the trauma loop of reexperiencing what I’ve gone through, which can trigger me. Being able to recognize the progress I’ve made without getting stuck in how hard things once were has been healing for me.
8. The best is yet to come. I’ve never been more convinced of this. Despite aging with chronic health conditions, I truly believe there’s so much about my life that’s just getting started. I’m so grateful that I have new lungs to experience life on a whole other level than I ever did before.
9. My hope isn’t in doctors, statistics, or therapies for my disease. All of these are uncertain and ever-changing. My hope remains in Jesus, who is unchanging. This brings me a peace that doesn’t make sense and continues to carry me through hard times. I know God’s plan is greater than I can see, and I trust it wholeheartedly.
New adventures, here I come!
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, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.
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