Cheriz K.

My cystic fibrosis (CF) care center is an important piece of my life. I’m thankful for the relationships I have developed with each member of my care team. I grew...

I was fortunate to not struggle with mental health when I was growing up. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started to have struggles with anxiety. I...

I used to joke that I was the board game “Operation,” because my body is covered in scars. By age 18 I had over a dozen surgical scars across me...

Andrew Loebach and Cheriz Kunkel discuss how they met and how cystic fibrosis played a role in their relationship while dating. This is part one from Cheriz’s perspective as someone...

Even though I have gone to roughly 140 or more cystic fibrosis clinics in my life so far, I still feel anxious before each one. If I’m sick then I’m...

All my life I struggled to keep my weight in a healthy range. I was always underweight and the smallest in my class. I’d hook up to my feeding pump...

Having cystic fibrosis means dealing with hard concepts and lots of emotions. Feeling sick, scared, angry, hurt, sad, grieving those we lost, and so much more. One of the hardest...

Brrrrrr. It’s freezing outside. Whenever the winter season comes around, I think why in the world do I not live in a warmer climate? I don’t like the cold and it...

When people hear me say that I have cystic fibrosis they usually say “oh that’s a lung disease, right?”  Which is true. CF very much affects the lungs, with lung...

“I wish I could eat like you.” “You’re so pretty and thin.” “Everything looks good on your skinny frame.” “You are so tiny and cute.” These are all things said...

Cystic fibrosis costs a lot, it adds up between the medication, hospitalizations, surgeries, and time off work. I know my family and I have experienced quite a lot of financial...

Every year before winter hits, we like to enjoy the outdoors and go out with a BANG! My husband and I foster children, so depending on number, age, and interest...

I grew up being hospitalized 2-4 times a year. Typically, it was for a lung infection or gastrointestinal issue. Hospital stays lasted between 14-30 days normally, so it’s no wonder...

I’m a very motivated individual. I always ran for every board, committee, or leadership position I could. I starting working young. I had always wanted a career in real estate...

All my life I knew I’d be unable to have children biologically, but I never saw that as an obstacle to becoming a mother. I knew from a fairly young...

If only “hospital knowledge” could be used on my resume. I have cystic fibrosis and spent a lot of time growing up in the hospital. As a child, I’d spend...