Valiant Voice — Lara Govendo

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…

There’s nothing I love more than alliteration. It might be a bit dramatic, but I think Advocacy August, one of my favorite months, warrants the drama. I’m passionate about advocacy, both from personal experience and as a therapist. Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and navigating the healthcare system…

One of the biggest changes between my life before my lung transplant and my post-transplant life has been with my body temperature. Before my double-lung transplant, I ran hot all the time. I remember a night I was being transported from my home hospital to a transplant hospital for…

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) made me very aware of breathing. Before my double-lung transplant eight years ago, I’d check the weather before committing to any plans, because protecting my lung health from allergens, weather triggers, and anything that could cause inflammation was essential to my well-being. Since…

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…