When I was young, I was pretty consistent with my treatments. My parents made them a positive experience, setting rewards after doing a set amount. Treatments became a special hour I got to spend one-on-one with my dad.

During my late teens I started culturing for MRSA. I went from hospitalizations every few years, to once every three months. Between those frequent stays, I really struggled with compliance. There were a million reasons why I didn't do treatments -- I thought they took too long, they were difficult and sometimes painful, and my mental health wasn't in a good place. I honestly didn't accept the reality of my health.

At the time, I didn't notice a difference when I missed a single treatment. However, these missed treatments added up.  Although I had decent lung function, treating my health this way was unsustainable.

In my mid-twenties I worked on my mental health. I started dating a partner who encouraged and supported me. After some frank conversations together, I realized I had to take better care of myself.

To keep up with my treatments, I stuck to a daily routine. I dedicated a space in my house just for doing them. I took a cue from my parents and made the time a positive experience. Over time, I looked at my treatments like brushing my teeth or taking a shower. It became just something I did every day.

There are still times I struggle. At the end of an exhausting day or before an early morning appointment -- even with plenty of motivation. The truth is nobody is perfect. Be gentle with yourself. I promise, as you become more compliant YOU WILL FEEL BETTER.

It can be hard to change from non-compliance to doing multiple treatments daily. If you struggle, find friends or family to keep you accountable. Look for ways to make your treatments more enjoyable, like watching a binge-worthy show, ONLY during your treatments. Work to make doing treatments a habit in your life.

Interested in sharing your story? The CF Community Blog wants to hear from you.