A letter to my younger self offers wisdom gleaned from experience
As we approach the end of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, I want to share some wisdom I wish my younger self would’ve known at the start of my journey with this rare…
Valiant Voice — Lara Govendo
Lara Govendo resides in Vermont as a wild, adventurous lady who also happens to be a licensed clinical professional counselor. She dives deep into controversial topics by talking about her own struggles to help others feel less alone, educate about all aspects of health, and encourage others that there’s always hope. Thanks to her double-lung transplant in 2017 due to cystic fibrosis, you can now find Lara ministering about Jesus, exploring the glorious outdoors with her husband, and belly laughing with people around the planet. She can be reached on her website at www.hungry4hopeconsulting.com.
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The value of bodily autonomy for those of us living with cystic fibrosis
I learned about the notion of bodily autonomy from a dear friend who, like me, has cystic fibrosis (CF). Before, I’d been oblivious about the subject; it hadn’t occurred to me that it…
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The consequences of having difficulty gaining weight with CF
Since I was born with cystic fibrosis (CF), gaining weight has always been a challenge for me. CF doesn’t only affect the lungs; it can also cause a number of gastrointestinal (GI) issues.
Here’s why it’s important to become an organ donor
I am a strong advocate for organ donation because I was on the receiving end of a double-lung transplant in 2017. Not only did it save my life, but it also radically…
Past trauma left me full of anxiety before my most recent surgery
I’ve had so many surgeries that I’ve lost track. You’d think I’d be used to the routine by now, but I’m not. With each surgery comes more anxiety as my trauma stacks up. I…
Why toxic positivity doesn’t work in the chronic illness community
“Everything will be fine. You just have to stay positive.” Ever heard this idea while dealing with a chronic health condition? If so, you’re not alone. Born with cystic fibrosis (CF),…
Waiting for a CF lung transplant? Here’s what you need to know
Six years ago, I had a double-lung transplant because of severe cystic fibrosis (CF). I found the process traumatic, mostly because I didn’t feel prepared. I wish someone had taught me all…
Thinking about death is normal for me as a CF and transplant patient
Born with cystic fibrosis (CF), I’ve been told my whole life that there’s a number on my head. I’ve written about my beef with life expectancy before, but to sum it up…
Romance and disability: My love story
For a long time, the relationship between romantic love and disability was complicated for me. It’s taken time to heal from my traumatic experiences with dating. I honestly didn’t know what romantic love was…
CF treatments are miraculous, but what about rare mutations?
For many years, I’ve had to endure the ongoing praise for life-changing cystic fibrosis (CF) medications. Let me explain. CFTR modulators like the most recently approved drug Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) have…
I didn’t choose to have a double-lung transplant; I chose to live
I would have died without a double-lung transplant. Those words still send chills down my spine. It’s surreal that my story could have turned out differently. I try not to dwell on it,…
For the record, I’m a person with a disability, not an unable person
As a person with a disability, I’ve been perceived as different and treated that way. This treatment has taken various forms during the seasons of my life, depending on when my disability was visible.
Medical trauma bubbles to the surface again after a hospitalization
A recent hospitalization for appendicitis reminded me too much of frequent hospital stays in the past. As memories infiltrated my thoughts, the traumatic ties to the past bubbled to the surface. It’s…
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