Having cystic fibrosis has been a double-edged sword. CF has caused suffering, but it also has given me the perspective to embrace my life.
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As I continue to realize the benefits of Trikafta® and my daughter grows up and needs me less, I feel as though I’m losing key parts of my identity — being a person with cystic fibrosis and a mother. However, I’m also finding I have room to let myself grow and explore different sides of myself.
Learning that my daughter has cystic fibrosis has been a struggle for me and my family, especially as I deal with postpartum depression.
After decades of identifying myself as Monique, “the girl with cystic fibrosis,” I didn’t know who I was anymore after Trikafta changed my health for the better.
Fitting school, work, and CF treatments into my daily routine is tough, and when I push myself too far, my performance and health suffer. I’m determined, however, to keep going and find a balance that is right for me.
Spending so much of my childhood in and out of the hospital and doing CF treatments was already enough to deal with, so it felt easier to keep my mental health challenges hidden. However, speaking up about my feelings helped me learn that caring for my mental health is as important as taking care of my physical health.