Janeil Whitworth

Growing up with a rare disease, I didn’t realize how truly special I was. The novelty of my existence and the chance match of my genetics was completely lost on...

Dear Morning Lungs, I’m writing to tell you that you’re doing your best. I don’t blame you for your sluggish mood every morning. I am sluggish and tired too. It’s...

The unrelenting storm of cold and flu season has threatened to rock the boat. By boat–I mean me–a mom living with CF treading water. Tiny runny button noses and explosive...

Water is inherent to our wellbeing as humans. Staying hydrated is especially important when you have a genetic condition that affects the way water and cells interact, like cystic fibrosis...

Sometimes, I introspectively peak at my mangled innards and wonder how this all came to be? You manage one chronic illness your whole life? Sure, no problem. You get used...

Ten years ago, my fiance and I adopted a fluffy dilute calico cat from a lady we met in a Target parking lot. She was beautiful with green eyes, gray...

Once upon a time, I apologized for being unreliable and someone once told me to stop apologizing. They said, “Your disease is unreliable, not you.” At the time, it was...

I do a lot of self-reflection humbly standing at my kitchen sink. Lost in the mundane task of dishwashing, I find it easy to process through my emotions–sloshing, scrubbing, and...

For the first time, many people with CF have been able to focus less on gaining and maintaining weight and more on living life. Finally, they can eat a normal...

A recent article in the New York Times Opinion written by Dr. Daniela J. Lamas, a pulmonologist in Boston, detailed the story of momentous change occurring in the cystic fibrosis...

Living with CF, I know pain–all kinds of different types, locations, and degrees of pain. Pain from lung infections and coughing, abdominal pain or “CF belly” pain, joint pain, and...

Some things always go together, like cystic fibrosis (CF) and airway clearance. It’s no surprise that airway clearance is an important part of CF maintenance. For decades, most people with...

The range of topics and novel presentations at the 2022 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) in Philadelphia, PA was impressive. I’m sure it was exciting for the in-person attendants...

I look forward to the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) every year. So much so that this year I devoted a previous article to the topics I hoped would...

Author’s note: The title of this article should really read, “Please Stop Asking Women if They Want More Kids”. This subject is touchy whether or not you have CF. In...

Although I tend to think of myself as a reasonably optimistic person, 2022 was a devastating year for me, personally. Between my mom’s very serious cancer diagnosis and navigating the...

There’s a four year age gap between my two boys–and for a very good reason. Once my eldest was born 5 years ago, life with CF really hit me hard...

Dear Little Girl on the Day of Your Diagnosis, Hey, there! It’s great to see you. You look so sweet and innocent with your bleach blonde bob with bangs and...

The holidays are some of the year’s most magical and memorable moments. Family and friend gatherings, festive decorations, and cozy winter wonderland weather can really make the season special. I...