A blessing and a curse: My experience with tobramycin toxicity
In my life with cystic fibrosis (CF), the antibiotic tobramycin has saved my life countless times. But 15 years ago, it took something from me that I’ll never get back. Toxicity from…
Living Beyond — Jennifer Bleecher
Jennifer Bleecher, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in her first few days of life, has been defying the odds of her disease for the majority of her life. She has a daughter, worked as a nurse for 20 years, and then received the gift of life through a bilateral lung transplant in 2020 during the pandemic. Jennifer is the self-published author of a children’s picture book, “The Friendship Umbrella,” which teaches about being kind, helping others, and appreciating each other’s differences. Jennifer loves dogs and music, has a strong faith in God, and has always chosen to count her blessings instead of her struggles.
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Walking my daughter down the aisle was worth every breath
One month ago, my daughter got married. I woke up early that morning and took a long, slow, deep breath. For someone who has lived with cystic fibrosis (CF), that simple act felt…
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With my complex medical history, sometimes I just want to be normal
Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a double-lung transplant often feels like inhabiting two worlds simultaneously. There’s the extraordinary world, filled with medical miracles, precisely managed medications, and a body that has defied…
September means seasonal anxiety, but I’ve learned to find balance
At 54 years old, and five years after my double-lung transplant, I feel September’s arrival differently than most do. I don’t just notice Pennsylvania’s crisp air or the dry leaves crunching underfoot. The month…
On my lungs’ 5-year anniversary, I’m thankful for every breath
This Labor Day weekend marks five years since I received the gift of a double-lung transplant. Actually, it happened on Sept. 5, 2020, but that was the Saturday before Labor Day that year,…
A gastroenterologist should be central to every CF care team
I’ll never forget my daughter’s college graduation — not because I was there cheering in the audience, but because I wasn’t. Instead of watching her walk across the stage in person, I was watching…
Why colon cancer screenings are essential for adults with CF
When people think of cystic fibrosis (CF), colon cancer usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But for those of us living beyond what used to be the limits of…
Adjusting my summer diet to better meet my CF needs
Because I’m living with cystic fibrosis (CF), nutrition is more than just a personal choice; it’s a vital part of managing my health. With CF, malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins…
My 54th birthday is more than just a number — it’s a gift
Today I turned 54. My birthday doesn’t come with a party theme or a cultural rite of passage. However, for someone with cystic fibrosis (CF) like me, it’s a quiet revolution. When I…
What’s in my bag? Wallet, keys, and a CF emergency kit.
I’ve always carried a heavy purse. Stay with me here. Years ago, when I was waiting for a double-lung transplant, my mom would often accompany me to my doctor appointments. She’d graciously offer…
The value of building friendships with others living with CF
When I was 17, my appendix ruptured, requiring surgery. Because I had cystic fibrosis (CF), I was admitted to the pediatric CF unit. It was the late 1980s, and most CF patients were…
How CF has taught me the importance of listening to my body
I pushed my mind and body to keep up with those of my peers in my younger years. In high school, despite having cystic fibrosis (CF), I kept up with them socially while…
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