My path to a total colectomy was long and challenging. Now I want to share what I learned about self-advocating for necessary medical care and coping with a surgically created opening on my abdomen called a stoma.
Site Search
Breadth of expertise in business, philanthropy, community engagement, and venture capital to help advance Foundation’s mission
My voice plays an important role in managing my cystic fibrosis. Breathing techniques that I have learned as a singer help me perform pulmonary function tests and my voice can signal a change in my health — if I listen to 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.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh wanted to better understand the realities of parenting as a person with cystic fibrosis, so they collected firsthand accounts from members of the CF community.
I have faced the continuous need to self-advocate to manage my life with cystic fibrosis, particularly when facing complications post-transplant.
Not only am I a member of the CF community, but I’m also a member of the clinical community — an oncology nurse — and I have had to endure hard lessons to learn to advocate for myself and get the medical care I need.
I have had a fortunate life with cystic fibrosis given the fact that I married, had two kids, and a career. However, with increasing — and sometimes bewildering — health issues, I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s my CF or just aging, or something in between.
With this approval, approximately 2,250 children in the U.S. will be eligible for Trikafta® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor), including more than 900 who will have access to a CFTR modulator for the first time. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation believes it is beneficial to start people with cystic fibrosis on modulators as early as possible to help prevent lung damage and the onset of complications.
Proposed policies would impose significant barriers and add burden for people with CF