Learn how Rachel Kinney manages her CF while away at college.
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My exercise routine has gone through quite an evolution from college to motherhood and life on the transplant list.
Learn how one college junior went from struggling with CF at school to managing it with flying colors.
When I was diagnosed with CF at 22, I was relieved. I could start treating the disease we'd been trying to identify for years. But after the initial excitement, I started facing issues of denial, anger and confusion…so I ran.
The only thing that is certain in my life is the uncertainty of my teenage daughter's next hospital stay. Despite this, she has somehow managed to supervise her own academic life from a hospital room.
Looking back at my freshman year, I realize that putting college before my CF wasn't the first thing I had all wrong.
After a childhood spent running, I had largely given it up by the time I became an adult. But five years ago, it became my outlet. CF and COVID-19 temporarily sidelined me, but as long as there is air in my lungs, I won’t ever give up.
I thought my exercise capacity on continuous oxygen would decrease. Thanks to the support from others and high-intensity interval training, my exercise capacity actually increased.
Although I had my doubts, I was able to hike the Oregon Coast Trail and learn about myself while doing it.
At times, my pediatric CF care team told me about the possible negative outcomes of my cystic fibrosis. Their gentle support helped prepare me for unexpected good health, and is one reason why I was able to qualify for the Boston Marathon.