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I recently attended the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Lung Transplantation Summit. Many of the areas for improvement cited by the experts matched what I have seen as the mother of a two-time double-lung transplant recipient.

When my mom used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told her that I wanted to be a dad. The journey to fatherhood with cystic fibrosis is full of obstacles, but I would give anything to pass on the traits I've gained from living with this disease to a child of my own.

Although my lung transplant was the end of one story, it was also the beginning of another, more difficult story.

I did the research. I asked the questions. I thought I knew what to expect when I had a double-lung transplant. I was surprised by what I learned.

Halloween, April Fools' Day, and Mother's Day may be average American holidays for most, but for me, they mark three important days in my long, emotional journey toward a new pair of lungs.

A sudden health setback turned my eventual lung transplant into an immediate one. Although the transplant didn’t go exactly to plan, my preparation helped the process go more smoothly.

I resisted being listed for a lung transplant; but now, almost six years later I’m thankful — especially to my donor — for my new life.

In my experience, the best way to support a loved one with cystic fibrosis is to listen closely and remember the details of his or her most common treatments and complaints.

A life with cystic fibrosis taught me how to be sick. After a lung transplant, I had to learn how to be well.

My brother, Josh, who has cystic fibrosis has been through more struggles than anyone I know, but he has always kept a positive attitude -- even while awaiting a lung transplant. This outlook on life inspires me and helps me see the best case in any outcome.