I have faced the continuous need to self-advocate to manage my life with cystic fibrosis, particularly when facing complications post-transplant.
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My mom was always my biggest advocate and most selfless caretaker, but she went above and beyond when she also took my friend under her wing.
My daughter, Lauren, didn’t know that having a lung transplant would greatly increase her risk for cancer until it was too late. Her death has taught me how important it is to know the health risks faced after transplant and our need to advocate for ourselves.
From a young age, I was determined that cystic fibrosis would never stop me from pursuing my dreams in the medical field. It wasn’t until I hit a road bump in pharmacy school that I realized my CF could actually give me a unique advantage.
As cystic fibrosis damaged my lungs, I did all I could to make it to my university graduation before I underwent lung transplant.
When I lived with advanced lung disease, I never expected to feel good again. But after receiving a double-lung transplant, my whole world changed.