Club CF 30+

People with CF that are LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING at 30+ may be in very involved in their career, climbing the corporate ladder and working on a relationship. Marriage, buying a home, and starting a family are also common for people with CF as they are living longer and benefitting from a better quality of life due to medical advances in therapies. At this time, CF patients may be doing more IV antibiotic therapies, more chest airway clearance therapies, looking into getting a Mediport to make things easier, maintaining their health through exercise and compliance, and coming up with clever ways to manage all this while socializing.

July 2009

Cris Dopher

“Keep moving forward.”

At four years old, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. With my boyish good looks and southern California residency, I was chosen to be the poster child for the San Diego chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. My face was put on CF posters and distributed throughout the foundation and greater CF community. Before I entered the sixth grade, my dad moved our family to Missouri, where I first learned the importance of exercising from CF doctors at the University of Missouri Columbia Hospital.

Unable to play sports during my first years of high school after a farming accident crushed my ankle, I found a passion in theater. Soon I was designing sets as well as acting in my high school plays. After graduating from college, I attended graduate school at NYU and received my Masters in Fine Arts.

In the years following graduate school, I began to notice a progression in the severity of my disease. Last March, when I was 36 years old, I struggled with another exacerbation. Climbing a flight of stairs left me breathless and I began to fear the worst. It was not until after the IVs started to work and I began exercising everyday, that I became stronger—both mentally and physically.

Even though it still remains a challenge to take the appropriate amount of enzymes everyday, and eat as my doctors instruct, I am much more compliant now and rarely miss my treatments. There is also a greater need for me to maintain my health, due to my CF related diabetes. I believe that the importance of compliance is the equivalent of how much belief you have in yourself and in your future.

I spend my free time volunteering and fundraising for the Boomer Esiason Foundation which includes running for Team Boomer once a year. Making my own contributions to BEF allows me to give back and stay connected to the greater Cystic Fibrosis community. All in all, I keep moving forward—in my work, in my relationships and most importantly, in my healthcare

Learn More About Cris:

Favorite Holiday?
Thanksgiving

Favorite Food?
Sushi

Role Model?
I admire my dad and the Jewish actor Zero Mostel, both for their resilience.

Dream Vacation?
An around the world motorcycle tour.

Fun Fact about Cris:
I rode my Harley to Alaska.

Where’s Cris?
Facebook, running blog http://www.myteamboomer.com/profile/CrisDopher 

April 2009

Tiffany Christensen

“It’s not how many breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away”

At 6 months of age, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. At 12, I had my first in-hospital stay and began physically and emotionally grappling with the difficulty of this disease.  In 1996, at age 21, I was too sick to keep up with my college classmates and had to give up my acting dreams and drop out of school, and at this time I was listed for a double lung transplant.  In 2000, my life was spared by the gift of a double lung transplant. For two years I did well physically but struggled to find a healthy relationship and meaning in my life. In 2002, I received devastating news that my lungs were rejecting and I became very sick very quickly.

With no second transplant in sight, I found my inner world opening as my outer body weakened. I discovered a connection to the universe I had never known and my self image began to shift. Instead of defining myself by my actions, I was able to go deeper and find my true essence. This, is the “Permanent Me.” This new understanding of myself and others allowed me to embrace the idea that I was valuable; in a hospital gown or in an evening gown! The person inside the wrapper remained the same.  I was able to get a second transplant in March of 2004. When I woke up in ICU, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to those touched by illness.

Today, I am in my mid thirties and am enjoying the best time of my life. In 2007 my first book, “Sick Girl Speaks!” (http://www.sickgirlspeaks.com) was published and became popular with patients, families and healthcare professionals. I also enjoy the role of Illness and Transition Coach, helping other patients navigate the healthcare maze. Since 2005, I have participated in many exciting speaking events.  While my career gives me great satisfaction, my greatest joy has come from meeting the man of my dreams, adopting one crazy Whippet and enjoying life with my wonderful friends and family. I know that life is precious and precarious. It is my hope to live each day with integrity and purpose; leaving no room for regrets.

Learn more about Tiffany…

What is your favorite food?
French Fries

Favorite Color?
Blue

Do you have a nickname?
Nina

Have you won any awards?
Heroes of Hope

What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween

What is your dream vacation?
Denmark

What is your favorite type of music?
Alternative

Where is Tiffany?

Facebook, Twitter, Cystic L, Second Wind, http://www.sickgirlspeaks.com