Club CF 40+

People with CF who are LIVING, BREATHING and SUCCEEDING at 40+ may be very stable in their career. They may be getting promoted or slowing down a little to take care of their health. As therapies increase, striking a balance between treatments and work is important so they can enjoy life!

Family life and their children’s education are important, as is maintaining their health through compliance and exercise. They also may be preparing for a double-lung transplant so they can start a new life post-transplant.

January 2011

Dottie Lessard

“That’s the message for the kids and their parents: You can do anything.”

I’ll never forget the moment. I was in my early 20s, and my best friend since age 14 had died from CF a short while ago. She had a lung transplant lined up, but she was too sick to fly to Los Angeles for the operation. I was visiting with another friend who was in the hospital recovering from her lung transplant. One of us said something funny, and my friend laughed — without having a coughing fit. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been able to do that.

Right then, I decided to have a lung transplant. One of my lungs at the time was at about 15 percent capacity, and the other was at 20 percent, but my doctor said that I wasn’t sick enough. This was in the early 1990s, and lung transplants were still very risky; they were a last resort for only the sickest of the sick.

But I fought and fought, and by 1992, I was put on a transplant recipient list. The doctors told me I was “trading one disease for another” and that I’d have only a 50-50 chance of making it off the operating table. But what I heard was that I had a 50 percent chance of living; at the time, I felt that I was just existing.

While waiting, I strengthened myself as much as possible.  I built a strong foundation despite everything that was trying to take me away.

I was always a tomboy. My dad was a hockey coach and girls couldn’t play on the boys’ team at the time, but I would play street hockey every weekend. In neighborhood football games, I’d always be at the bottom of the pile. When I played basketball, I’d get out of breath easily and cough a lot. So I practiced my shooting, and I became really good at it. I would be one of the first kids on the playground to be picked because I could score points. I maximized what I could do well.

I was on the transplant list for two years and seven months. During my 12-hour, double-lung transplant, the doctors said I “died” on the table two times, but my conditioning helped to save me.

My transplant was in 1994, and I’ve had amazing opportunities since then. I have won several gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash at the U.S. Transplant Games for the last 14 years. I have run half-marathons, and I do fitness competitions with obstacle courses inspired by military training exercises. Since I was a girl, I have loved the feeling of moving fast.

I work hard, and I train at least 30 to 60 minutes every day. I believe in quality nutrition, though when I want a treat, I take it.

In 2004, I became a mother.  I adopted my son, Liam, and I was in the delivery room when he was born. He is my reason for breathing and my inspiration. Every year on the anniversary of my double-lung transplant, October 27, I climb a mountain and place a yellow rose to honor the donor who gave me life. This year, for the first time, Liam joined me on the journey.

I’m a motivational speaker and a life coach. I have written a book about my experience as an ATHLETE, titled, Seven Letters That Saved My Life.

But my biggest inspiration is kids with CF. When I see them, I try to light a spark. I find out what they want to do. Maybe it’s athletics, and maybe it’s something else. With little kids, I get right down to their level, and I look them in the eye: “What do you want to do? What do you want to become?” That’s the message for the kids and their parents: You can do anything.

Favorite Holiday: February 11, my son’s birthday
Favorite Foods: Steak, pizza and Empower Pro Protein
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my family, being active, giving back to others, reading motivational books
Favorite Movies: GI Jane and Rudy
Favorite Music: Top 40, Contemporary Christian, Andrea Bocelli
Favorite Color: Blue
Nicknames: Scrappy, Squirt, Run28
One Word That Describes You: Resilient
Role Models: My parents, Dave and Beverly; all children growing up with an illness who continue to smile and push ahead
Words of Wisdom: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Special Quote: “To truly live life fully, we must do the things we believe we cannot.” (Dottie)
Dream Vacation: As a family - Hawaii with Ben and Liam swimming with dolphins, playing on the beach, enjoying our life and health. For myself - Africa, to be able to be with amazing animals up close and living free.
You can find Dottie on ... Cysticfibrosis.com; Facebook; Myspace; CFsocial.net; Transplantbuddies.com

May 2010

Andrea Eisenman

“Recently, I passed the 10-year anniversary of my transplant, and I’m doing things that I never expected to do.”

To be honest, when I was in my teens and early 20s, I wasn’t disciplined about my treatment and my health.  I guess I was resentful that I had to take care of myself in a way that my friends didn’t.  Being compliant and working and trying to have a social life — sometimes it was too much.  I was hospitalized several times for pneumonia, and my prognosis was not good.

In my early 30s as my health was deteriorating, I was placed on the lung transplant waiting list.  I was dependent on oxygen, and I had colds that lasted for two or three weeks.  My lungs were bleeding, and I had hemoptysis frequently.  But even as I struggled, I knew I had to be compliant with my treatments, and I exercised in whatever way I could, usually on the treadmill or by swimming with my oxygen on.

In 2000, at the age of 35, I received a double-lung transplant.  Despite my condition, it wasn’t an easy decision.  There was no guarantee that it would go well, there were a lot of risk factors.  After my transplant, I was in the hospital for 13 days, but I felt elated when I could take a deep breath without coughing.  I hadn’t been able to do that since I was about 10 or 12 years old.

Recently, I passed the 10-year anniversary of my transplant, and I’m doing things that I never expected to do.  I try to do up to an hour-and-a-half a day of anything that’s cardiovascular to keep my lungs clear.  To maintain my health, I go to the gym, swim, play tennis, and go bike riding.  I have been in the Transplant Games twice, and I’ve won a silver and a bronze medal.  I didn’t expect to be able to do these things; I just hoped that my transplant would enable me to get off oxygen and be a little more independent.

One of my inspirations during my toughest years and since has been participating in and serving the CF community.  For many years, I felt isolated because I didn’t know anyone with CF.  It wasn’t until 1997 when I went to a Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc. conference in California that I met people who were living and working with CF.  These were people I could talk to, and they would understand what I was going through.  At the conference, I met a volunteer who worked on the “CF Roundtable” newsletter, and she asked me to join the Board.  I began to volunteer on the publication, which I still do today.  I also volunteer for the New York Organ Donor Network, and I participate in CF walks.

I appreciate every moment I have, and I appreciate the surprises that life sometimes brings.  For example, one day, I was walking my dog, and I met a man at the dog park.  His name is Steve Downey, and we got married in September 2008.

I’m committed to staying compliant because I don’t want to slide back into sickness. 

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving. You can eat whatever you want all day.
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Pastime:  Several. I love reading fictional literature and non-fiction. Cooking. I love to go to the movies, and I watch a lot of documentaries.
Favorite Movie: Paradise Lost (documentary)
Favorite Music: REM, Liz Phair, Bob Mould, Led Zeppelin, trip-hop, Olive, Air, Morcheeba, and ‘80s stuff
Favorite Color: Olive
Nickname: Andy
One Word that Describes You: Quirky
Role Model: My mother. I lived with her when I was too sick to be independent, and she’s always been there for me. She has kept me from giving up. She and her parents escaped from the Nazis in Austria, and I think that’s where I inherited my survivor skills.
Favorite Words of Wisdom: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Dream Vacation: Somewhere tropical or in the Mediterranean, where the food is good and I could play tennis and be in the water. No computers.

January 2010

Joan Finnegan Brooks

“I have never viewed CF as a burden.”

I am 49 years old, and I grew up in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.  Born with CF in 1960, I was given less than 10 years to live.  My mother and father instilled independence and responsibility in me at a young age, and I learned to do all of my therapies and take care of myself by the time I reached high school.  I have never viewed CF as a burden; it is something that is built into my every day routine.

Exercise is one of the most important factors in my life and staying healthy with CF.  I discovered the wonders of exercise in high school while playing field hockey.  As a result of all the running on the field, my lungs would clear and I could breathe easier.  Since then, I have run – I’ve completed a marathon and several half-marathons.  I also enjoy dancing and cycling.

I attended Brown University and graduated with a degree in economics.  I live in the Boston area with my husband of 20 years. I work full-time, managing my own consulting practice.  I also volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as giving back to the community is very important to me.  For 49 years, I have successfully managed CF and remained optimistic the entire time.  I intend to possess that attitude well into the future.

Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Mashed potatoes
Favorite Pastime: Sudoku
Favorite Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Favorite Color: Green
Dream Vacation: Italy
You can find Joan on … Facebook

July 2009

Paul Drury

“Live in the now.”

Born in Chesire, Conn., with five older brothers and sisters, I was diagnosed with CF at the age of two. Growing up, I had a normal, active childhood with the “usual” cleanouts — playing sports like baseball, golf and hockey in high school. When I began attending the University of Connecticut in the late 1980s, I found adjusting to college life very difficult. I was very private about having cystic fibrosis and avoided telling my friends, so as not to be treated differently.

During my first semester at school, I got pneumonia. My lung collapsed three times during my second semester, resulting in one of my lungs being glued to the inside of my chest in an attempt to prevent a future collapse. However, my other lung collapsed, forcing me to miss a full year of school at UConn and to return home.

Although it was a struggle, spending the year at home turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In November, my dad passed away after a heart attack. That spring and fall with him at home, watching the Red Sox go to the World Series, provided me with memories that I still cherish.

After I graduated from UConn with a degree in economics, my condition worsened, causing me to receive a double-lung transplant.  Following my transplant, I created a marathon golf event as a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 1996, I was put on the CFF staff and have since become the Director of Special Projects and the Executive Director of the Connecticut chapter.  Now, at the age of 43, I have learned that living with CF has given me a unique perspective on life, one that has taught me to live in the moment and never lose hope.

I currently live in Plantsville, Conn., with my wife and two dogs — taking one day at a time and always maintaining a positive outlook on life.

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Pastime: Painting (pointillism is my specialty!) and the Boston Red Sox
One Word that Describes You: Witty
Role Model: My mom
Dream Vacation: Alaska (I traveled there with Boomer!)
A Fun Fact about Paul: My wife, Ivona, bought me at a CF bachelor bid in 1998.  We have been together ever since.
You can find Paul on … Facebook

April 2009

Jenny Davison

“CF is a part of who I am, but it does not define me.”

I am 40 years old and have cystic fibrosis.  I am the youngest of nine children, three of which had CF.  Growing up in a big family, there was no time to feel sorry for one single person, so I was treated like everyone else.  Which in retrospect I believe helped build my strength and character.  I have always been very independent and a hard worker.

After high school, I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.  I received a degree in textiles development and marketing and worked for a short time in the fashion industry.  I quickly realized my true desire was to help people, and returned to school to become a registered nurse.  I was able to maintain a career in nursing for more than 10 years, working in the pediatric ICU and the recovery room before I had to stop working.  The decision to stop working, although very difficult, was the right choice for me.

Family has always been very important to me.  I met my husband at a very young age and the decision to marry was an easy one.  The decision to start a family was obviously much more difficult.  We decided that if Tim was a carrier, we would not have any children.  But, he is not, so we went for it.  Luckily, at the time I was healthy enough to sustain a pregnancy for nine months. Our daughter was born without any complications and is now a healthy 11-year-old girl!  Having my daughter, Dara, was for me, the best decision I ever made. She has brought so much joy to our lives!

I recommend that to all people with CF that you get out there and live your life without putting any restrictions on yourself.  Being active is the key to a good quality of life.  I have always enjoyed skiing, swimming, riding my bike, whatever will take me outdoors and allow me to feel alive!!  Just because you have CF doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life.  I have always felt that I was going to do what everyone else does; I just have to work a little harder at it!!

Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Ice cream and pizza
Favorite Movie: My Cousin Vinnie
Role Model: My mother
Favorite Color: Orange
Proudest Moment: Getting married and giving birth to my child
Dream Vacation: Australia