Setting boundaries and finding balance in life with cystic fibrosis
They say hindsight is 20/20. Now that I’m in my 50s, I can reflect on my younger years and realize that I was trying to do too much. I was spinning all of the…
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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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…
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Why I hope invisible diseases will one day be fully recognized
A long list of medical conditions can be considered invisible because others can’t see their effects. Those of us living with cystic fibrosis (CF) understand the idea well since we commonly hear…
How my daughter and I use mindfulness for anxiety, and life
In 2014, when my daughter was entering her freshman year of college, I watched a segment of the TV news program “60 Minutes” that changed my life. In the segment, presenter Anderson Cooper…
I experience all the emotions on my transplant ‘lungaversary’
Labor Day weekend means many things. It celebrates the achievements of the American worker while also marking the end of summer vacation and the start of a new school year. And to me, it’s…
7 habits that helped me comply with my CF treatment regimen
Having two rare mutations that cause my cystic fibrosis (CF) has been a small blessing for me. It’s true that I’m unable to participate in many clinical trials that might have…
4 CF-related health issues I tackled during my pregnancy
In 1994, I was 24 years old and engaged to be married. My health was good despite my cystic fibrosis (CF). My doctor hadn’t mentioned anything about family planning, so I decided…
I’m slowly learning to share my life with cystic fibrosis and transplant
My mother was recently cleaning out her attic, trying out the minimalist technique she’d seen on a Netflix show. In the process of deciding which items still bring her joy, she gathered a bag…
Welcome to ‘Living Beyond,’ a new column about life after CF diagnosis
As a new columnist for Cystic Fibrosis News Today, I welcome you to “Living Beyond.” I come from a time when the life expectancy for someone born with cystic fibrosis…
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