At 34, I had no obvious symptoms or family history of colon cancer. My body was telling me something was wrong and compelled me to push for more tests to reach a diagnosis. Now every day I get up and learn to be comfortable living in the uncomfortable. With more screenings happening earlier, you may never have to.
Site Search
When I was in college, I wanted to do it all and my health wasn’t as much of a priority anymore. I learned to accept that things will not always go according to plan and to integrate routine in my life to ensure my health comes first.
After my daughter’s cystic fibrosis diagnosis, I knew I still wanted more than one child. But, the journey trying to conceive my second child was stressful and emotional.
One of the reasons I decided to attend boarding school was to take charge of my cystic fibrosis care. Although I’m not perfect at taking care of myself, I learned that the importance of staying on top of treatments when my parents gave me the chance to fail.
The excitement we experienced anticipating our daughter, Tegan, starting Trikafta® gave way to sadness and confusion as she experienced emotional side effects.
Just like there isn’t always a right (or one) answer to parenting, parenting two kids with CF has shown me that I need to just do the best I can for my family as we navigate my family’s constantly changing needs.
On the brink of being listed for lung transplant, I started Trikafta®, which has helped stabilize my health and helped me avoid it for now, but a transplant could be in my future.
When I became a nurse, I was determined to be punctual and reliable, and I excelled despite my cystic fibrosis. But on the advice of a CF doctor, I changed my career trajectory, which at first caused heartbreak, but eventually led to a leadership opportunity.
I felt so alone as a kid being gay and having CF — there weren’t any role models in the 80s and 90s that I could look up to. Eventually, I found people who understood what I was going through and that helped me feel good about who I was, and who I am today.
Throughout my life with cystic fibrosis, I have marked many milestones. My most important one yet is holding a full-time job while managing my health.