Shows
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #98 - The Legal Marriage QuestionThis week on Breathe In, Tiffany is on her own again while Gunnar battles his way through final exams. Tiffany is joined by a new voice on the podcast, Holly Seay, 24, from Georgia, a newlywed with CF. Holly takes us through her life with CF and how she met her now husband. Prior to their wedding, Holly and her now husband never lived together. Holly talks about the adjustment period and how her husband has acclimated to the CF life. She gives advice to those that are wanting to get married. The podcast ends with Holly and Tiffany's recommendations for...2019-12-0500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #97 - MisdiagnosedOn this episode of Breathe In, Gunnar takes the day off and Tiffany takes over with a returning guest, Audrey Kostelec, 23 from Washington State. You may remember Audrey from the emergency podcast we had on FaceBook Live in March. This time we talk about Audrey and her CF journey. Audrey explains how she was misdiagnosed and has recently been placed on disability. The two chat about how being on disability has helped Audrey's health in a positive way. They end the podcast with the usual fun recommendations segment (Girly ones, sorry guys!). You won't want to miss this episode!2019-11-2200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #96 - The Triple ComboA mere few days following the FDA's approval of Trikafta, cystic fibrosis patients across the United States began dosing. This week's podcast looks back at Gunnar's time in the triple combo study. Think of this podcast as a follow to Gunnar's blog over on GunnarEsiason.com. Gunnar talks about both the immediate and long term affects of having been on the medication and what his hopes are for the CF community. Gunnar and Tiffany reaffirm the scientific community's commitment to a treatment for the final 10% of CF patients and a cure for all CF patients.2019-11-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #95 - Breathe In FallGunnar and Tiffany welcome back the podcast after a brief (unplanned!) hiatus. Tiffany announces that she started working a new job and has begun living out her goal of working full time. Gunnar talks about fighting through a round a midterms in the first quarter MBA term. The duo chat about getting their flu shots, why CF community members must adhere to flu shot recommendations from the CDC and how patients and families can be proactive during peak cold and flu season.2019-10-1000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #94 - Self CareAfter a few weeks off, Gunnar and Tiffany return to the podcast with Gunnar's girlfriend, Darcy. This time, though, Darcy puts on her social worker hat and takes the podcast through a clinical lens into the world of self care. It's established early on in the podcast that self care is a bit of a misnomer these days because of Instagram, while Darcy actually defines it as doing things that are often uncomfortable or that we avoid, and ultimately contribute to bettering our minds, bodies and spirits. The podcast is then broken down into seven buckets:
1) Saying No
2) Accepting Help
3...2019-09-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #93 - Pregnancy With Low Lung FunctionTiffany is joined by Ashlee Terwilliger, 35, with cystic fibrosis and a double lung transplant survivor. The two talk about Ashlee's life growing up and how becoming a teacher affected her health and how she handled all the germs. As her health declined, she became pregnant and Ashlee takes us through being pregnant and labor with a low lung function and then ultimately needing to have a lifesaving double lung transplant. They end the podcast with awesome recommendations and advice for those wanting to have a child. You won't want to miss this!2019-08-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #92 - Moving to a New PlaceOlivia Duesterberg, 26 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast from Denver, Colorado. Olivia, like Gunnar, is fresh off a move to a new place, so this week on Breathe In, the team tackles what it takes to transition care, a routine, and everything in between when someone with CF needs to move to a brand new place. Olivia mentions that she had been consulting with the CF team in the Denver area due to a specific bacterial infection, but when she was finally ready to move to Denver's care system full time, she did so through the inpatient ward following a...2019-08-1500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #91 - Jack Goodwin, "Salt in My Soul"With Tiffany off for the week, Gunnar is joined by his girlfriend, Darcy, and Jack Goodwin, who dated the late Mallory Smith. Jack talks about his relationship with Mallory and her posthumously published memoir, "Salt in My Soul: An Unfinished Life". Gunnar, Darcy and Jack talk about the dynamics of what goes into a relationship with someone who might have cystic fibrosis, the risks, realities and what good often comes from them. Jack talks about his favorite part of the book and shares some memories that didn't make the final publication. Finally, Darcy and Jack offer some advice for people...2019-08-0800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #90 - Three Double Lung TransplantsAmanda Varnes, 24 with cystic fibrosis, joins Gunnar and Tiffany on the podcast for a second time. Amanda last appeared on Breathe In Podcast in November of 2018. Since then, she has been re-transplanted again, making Amanda one of the very few people in the entire world who has received three double lung transplants. Amanda talks about falling into organ rejection following and the lead up to her May transplant at Duke. Since being transplanted, Amanda has suffered from two very serious complications related to the surgery and subsequent recovery, including a brief bought of paralysis. While Amanda does stress that her...2019-08-0100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #89 - Going Through Medical ProceduresFresh off Gunnar's colonoscopy last week, the Breathe In duo talks about their experiences going through various medical procedures, and how they are able to cope with the physical and emotional hurdles that come with them. Gunnar details a brief panic attack he had on the table in the endoscopy suite, which leads Tiffany to share a story about her recent gall bladder surgery. The duo recount times when the procedures were either easier or more difficult than they had anticipated. Tiffany talks about a sinus surgery and Gunnar recalls the time an oral surgery unrelated to CF went bad!2019-07-2500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #88 - More Than SickCarly Klassen, 22 with cystic fibrosis from Boise, Idaho, joins the podcast to talk about her digital art platform More Than Sick. Carly's Insagram account @MoreThanSick has been charging through the cystic fibrosis virtual community and features digital sketches of different women fight back against CF! Carly talks about her motivation to start More Than Sick, and her ongoing project, #thestrengthofcysterhood. Carly mentions that she has used More Than Sick as her way of opening up about her CF, and sharing artwork featuring the people who have inspired her! Carly's journey throughout the entire creative process is an amazing story, one...2019-07-1800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #87 - Late DiagnosisCat Kurban, 22, joins Tiff on this episode of Breathe In. Cat was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 18 years old. Cat explains to Tiff how she was diagnosed after a shoulder surgery that had been an issue for quite some time. The two talk about Cat's life changing and how her routine changed tremendously. Cat shares about making her way into the CF community and coming to terms with having cystic fibrosis so late in the game. She definitely shows how positivity and a great mindset will guide you through life changing news.2019-07-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #86 - Does it Bother You When You See Someone Smoking?Breathe In takes a different angle this week and responds to a current event - San Francisco's proposed ban of e-cigarettes and the popular Juul device. Gunnar notes that he has some complex feelings when he comes across a smoker or someone who uses an e-cigarette - on one hand he recognizes addiction as an illness unto itself, but the economic burden of lifestyle illness on the healthcare system is significant and difficult to look past. Tiffany relates stories of protecting herself at concerts and the time she confronted a smoker while she was on the transplant list.2019-06-2700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #85 - MilestonesSomer Love joins Tiff on this week where the two talk about "reinventing" themselves after they both hit significant birthdays in the past month of May. Somer and Tiff talk about how they have this sense of wanting to take a new journey and start over in a way. Somer talks about going to her favorite place, San Diego, and having the ocean steer her in the right direction. Tiff wants to take this new lease and get a job, move out, and *hopefully* get married in the near future. Somer and Tiff go on about support systems and how...2019-06-2000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #84 - Summer!After a long stretch of featuring guests on the podcast, Gunnar and Tiffany return to the show's roots and have a chat with each other. Tiffany, who just returned from Hawaii with her boyfriend, Jeff, talks about being able to enjoy an active vacation after years on the transplant list. Now that she's post transplant, though, she needs to take sun sensitivity very seriously, and talks through some of the precautionary steps she takes to prevent prolonged sun exposure. Gunnar tells Tiffany that he has been trying out different exercise classes and plans to report on the ones he thinks...2019-06-1300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #83 - CF YogiChelsea Spruance rejoins the podcast along with Katie Malik, executive director of CF Yogi, to talk about their organization's free virtual yoga classes for the CF community! Katie talks about the origins of CF Yogi, and where it's headed thanks to a grant from the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Gunnar shares that he went to his first every yoga class, and how he was wildly under prepared! Chelsea and Katie discuss the benefits of practicing yoga for people with cystic fibrosis and how they can join CF Yogi!2019-06-0600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #82 - The College Days & CF and PregnancyAs May comes to a close, Breathe In wraps up CF Awareness Month with two final sprint interviews. Lise-Courtney D'Amico rejoins the podcast to chat with Gunnar about how their college experiences differed despite going to the same university - Boston College. They also talk about their next chapters in life as both of them are about to embark on a two year MBA journey, Gunnar to Tuck at Dartmouth and Lise-Courtney to Booth at University of Chicago. Tiffany is joined by Hailee Higley, 23, a mother living with cystic fibrosis. Their conversation begins with learning how Hailee's grandma was diagnosed...2019-05-3100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #81 - Marriage & CF, and Different Ways of Coping with CFGunnar and Tiffany continue May with another week of spring interviews! Tiffany talks with Tyler Smith, 23, who is living with cystic fibrosis and almost a year out from his double lung transplant, Tyler talks about his life growing up with CF and how sport was something that kept him healthy. He played golf and baseball year round and even received awards and titles. The two talk about his decline in health and how marriage was a huge priority in his life. His love story is sure to give you the chills and make you smile. Gunnar talks with Chase Nichols, 28...2019-05-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #80 - Living Donor Transplant, Lifelong FriendsBreathe In features two more interviews this week as we continue charging through CF Awareness Month. Danielle Mandella, 32 with CF, joins Gunnar to talk about her very unique path through transplant. As one of the very few people with cystic fibrosis to have ever received a living donor lobe transplant, in lieu of a double lung transplant, some 16 years ago, Danielle talks about some of the major differences she experienced with her journey... including an amazing story about who her living donors were! Clark Huddleston, 29, living with CF joins Tiffany to discuss working on the road with cystic fibrosis. Clark...2019-05-1600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #79 - Straight From the Lungs, Priceless BreathsIn keeping with the theme for May, Breathe In features two interviews this week! Gunnar chats with Will Marler, 24 with cystic fibrosis from the UK. Will is the producer of 'Straight From the Lungs' podcast, which features Gunnar and 22 other people with cystic fibrosis! Will talks about the project, which began in 2016, as well as his involvement in the UK CF community, which includes his participation in the UK national CF conference. Gunnar notes that in the United States, patients are not widely included in NACFC, and points to the UK's conference as a way CFF can learn and adapt...2019-05-0900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #78 - The Salty Yogi, Physical Therapy for CFIt's May... CF Awareness Month! Throughout the entire month Breathe In will be featuring several people with CF or people who play a role in improving patient health and wellness in each episode. This week's episode features Chelsea Spruance, 26 with cystic fibrosis, and Karen von Berg, a physical therapist at Johns Hopkins who works with cystic fibrosis patients. Chelsea, otherwise known on Instagram as @Salty_Yogi, talks about using Yoga as a way to build strength to recover from severe illness, becoming a Yoga instructor, living in the US Virgin Islands, and how she's able to manage CF care so...2019-05-0200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #77 - Buy or Sell: Person with CF vs. CFer, Cyster/Fibro, CFRD, and more!Marge Carfora is back with the Breathe In duo for her the final episode of her April residency. This time the group tackles a Buy or Sell episode. Slippers vs Socks in the hospital, CFer vs person with CF, a debate over the use of Cyster/Fibro, CFRD topics, mobile vests, mobile nebuilzers, nebulizer cups and more!2019-04-2500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #76 - Medical Bills, Paying for Transplant, COTABreathe In features a segmented podcast this week! In the first part, Marge Carfora, who is back for another episode, Gunnar and Tiffany talk about medical expenses, co-pay assistance and assistance programs they use to make living with cystic fibrosis more affordable. Tiffany and Marge, specifically, reminisce on the coverage requirements leading up to their transplants. Marge mentions that although her father had a good insruance plan for the family since he was a firefighter, there was significant financial strain given that she, her mom and sister had to relocate half way across the country so that she could get...2019-04-1800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #75 - Receiving a Double Lung Transplant and Surviving CancerTo honor Organ Donation Awareness Month, Marge Carfora, 36 with cystic fibrosis and 14 years post double lung transplant, joins the podcast as the first ever resident guest host! Marge will feature on all the podcasts airing in the month of April. This episode tells most of Marge's life story, from diagnosis right after birth, through college, a double lung transplant in a time before the Lung Allocation Score, marriage, surviving three different types of cancer - Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), cervical cancer and breast cancer - and finally becoming a mother to twins! Marge talks about overcoming each obstacle, one at...2019-04-1100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #74 - 2019 Bracket Champion, Interview with Steve HallSteve Hall, 30 with cystic fibrosis from the DC area, joins the podcast to talk about the March Madness Bracket experience and this year's champion. Tiffany also returns to the podcast after a week off. This year's Cystic Fibrosis March Madness Bracket was eye opening in a lot of ways, most notably with the way the "invisible illness" affects families as a whole. Gunnar, Tiffany and Steve talk about the voting trends, the demographic of the voters and why they think the March Madness exercise is important for the community. Ultimately, it's agreed that the Cystic Fibrosis March Madness Bracket is...2019-04-0400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #73 - Cross Country FriendshipWith Tiffany out this week, Gunnar is joined by Lise-Courtney D'Amico, 25 with cystic fibrosis from New York City, and Stacy Carmona, 32 with cystic fibrosis from Orange County, California. Lise-Courtney and Stacy were connected via Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's CF Peer Connect, which pairs two people with CF in a one-to-one peer mentoring program. Stacy was initially deemed "the mentor," but their friendship has blossomed to something far beyond the intended purpose of the program. The pair share stories with Gunnar about how they inspire each other from across the country, work hard through together through a common exercise class and how...2019-03-2800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #72 - 2019 Cystic Fibrosis March Madness BracketThe Cystic Fibrosis March Madness Bracket is back by popular demand. This year 64 'teams' will battle it out to claim the tile of "The most SMH thing someone has said to you about CF." Colleen Lewis, 33 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast this "Selection Thursday" episode. The bracket breaks down into four regions - Questions, Recommendations, Statements and Things Said to Parents/Partners/Friends. Laugh along with Breathe In this week as we get set to vote on our very own bracket challenge!
Voting opens 3/22 on the Breathe In and Salty Cysters Instagram pages, as well as GunnarEsiason.com2019-03-2100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #71 - Response to Five Feet Apart's Insensitive PR CampaignAubrey Kostelec, 22 with cystic fibrosis, joins Gunnar and Tiffany for an emergency podcast following a crazy day within the cystic fibrosis community after it was discovered Five Feet Apart launched an insensitive ad campaign relating cystic fibrosis to general lifestyle inconveniences. The patient community has railed to demand a public apology from the filmmakers, production company and Justin Baldoni.2019-03-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #70 - Controlling Your Care, Folia HealthBreathe In is coming at you with a new style of podcast, this week we are introducing "segments." The first half of the podcast includes Gunnar and Tiffany talking about how they are able to make medical decisions, and control conversations inside the clinic. They lean on information coming from care providers, while also balancing quality of life, and anecdotal experiences form other patients. The second half of the podcast is an interview with Folia Health. Gunnar interviews Nell Meosky Luo, founder and CEO of Folia, and Celeste Hermes, a sophomore at the University of Texas, CF patient and project...2019-03-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #69 - Molly Pam, CF Reproductive and Sexual Health CollaborativeMolly Pam, 30 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast all the way from Israel. Molly talks about living abroad with cystic fibrosis (and studying abroad as a college study) with low lung function. She also takes Gunnar and Tiffany through the Cystic Fibrosis Reproductive and Sexual Health Collaborative's (CFReSHC) upcoming projects and initiatives, including a family building guide. A common theme across the CF community is that when it comes time to think about family planning/building, there just aren't enough resources out there, and CFReSHC aims to a go to place for those needs!2019-02-2800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #68 - Five Feet Apart Lead UpMorgan Gindstaff, 28 with cystic fibrosis, and Caitlin Lombardi, 23 with cystic fibrosis, join Gunnar and Tiffany on the podcast this week for a friendly debate over the pros and cons of the forthcoming movie, Five Feet Apart. The lead in to the movie and the PR campaign around it have been polarizing, where some people with cystic fibrosis are excited to see their illness portrayed on the big screen, whereas other think the movie is exploitative and romanticizes the cystic fibrosis experience.2019-02-2200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In Ep. 67 - Valentine's DayTwo very special guests join the podcast this week, Gunnar's girlfriend Darcy and Tiffany's boyfriend, Jeff! Leading into the episode the duo asked the Instagram community to direct the conversation, so rather than repetitive about, "how to tell someone new about CF," the chat turns towards diving into some of the guilt people with CF may feel in their lives, what does it mean to be part of the support system, some initial hurdles that come with any relationship (not just one that includes CF), and what friends and family may say to the a person who starts dating someone...2019-02-1400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #66 - Lung Story ShortGunnar is back on the podcast after his voice has finally recovered! Rima Manomaitis (also known as @Lung_Story_Short on Instagram) joins Gunnar and Tiffany for a Feeding Tube Awareness week podcast. Rima takes the podcast through her double lung transplant process, talks about moving halfway across the country despite failing health and notes that she's had a feeding tube for about 12 years. Tiffany doesn't look back on her g-tube days with any pleasure whatsoever, and even tells a cringeworthy story about getting an Nasal-Gastric (NG) tube placed in the days following her own transplant. The podcast changes directions...2019-02-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #65 - Auburn Stevens, SinusesTiffany is joined by a fellow double lung transplant recipient, Auburn Stevens, who has had over 30 sinus surgeries due to cystic fibrosis. The two chat about how Auburn has had 2 lobectomies before her transplant, which is a new concept for Tiffany. Auburn shares reasons for her surgeries of sinuses and a major scary in office procedure where her sinus cavity was expanded with a balloon. Tiffany talks about her first sinus surgery after transplant and her experience with the recovery. Auburn and Tiffany reminisce on all their sinus problems throughout their lives and inform the listeners of what happens in...2019-02-0100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #64 - Elsie Tellier, 65PinkRosesWith Tiffany away on vacation, Elsie Tellier, 21 with cystic fibrosis and a senior at Harvard joins the podcast this week. Elsie is a passionate disabilities advocate and fashion blogger. She talks to us about some of her work within the Harvard disabilities association and how she had to fight uphill to advocate for proper accommodations, while also pursing her studies. She talks about going from a small town care center in Winnipeg to a bigger one in Boston, and how fighting through different health care issues has taught her how to advocate for herself in different situations. The conversation turns...2019-01-1700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #63 - New Year's GoalsGunnar and Tiffany return to Breathe In after a brief hiatus to talk about New Year's "goals" since Gunnar doesn't like the term, "resolutions." The pair go through some health related goals to begin. For Gunnar, he wants to try out yoga after taking advice from another person living with cystic fibrosis. Tiffany wants to continue to live to honor Lea and use her new lungs to the absolute fullest. Gunnar also notes he wants to read more, while Tiffany talks about starting up a daily journal. Breathe In cracked the top 200 "health" podcasts on iTunes at the end of 2018!2019-01-1000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #62 - LeaJoin Gunnar and Tiffany in celebrating the life of Lea Faraone as told by Lea's voice! Tiffany and Gunnar remember Lea, one half of the Salty Cysters and the pulse of the Breathe In trio, in this very special episode that goes back and pulls clips from past episodes. Laugh, cry, but most importantly share in the love that was Lea's life. We will miss Lea very much! We love you, Lea!2018-12-2000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #61 - Holiday SeasonSomer Love is back on the podcast to talk about her open letter to family and friends about the holidays and cold/flu season. Gunnar, Tiffany and Somer chat about some of the precautions they take when it comes to health and safety during family gatherings and how they communicate their needs to their family and friends. The three discuss a recent tweet from Seth MacFarlane and how some people have been offended by his seemingly offhanded comment about coughing in public spaces. Tiffany also mentions that her friends are very aware of her immunosuppressed status following transplant. Finally the...2018-12-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #60 - Tiffany's 2nd LungiversaryTiffany's lifelong best friend, Kelsey Sleek, joins the podcast to celebrate Tiffany's 2nd lungiversary! On November 30, 2016, Tiffany was wheeled into the operating room for a life saving double lung transplant, and her life has changed for the better ever since. Kelsey talks about the support system side of cystic fibrosis and what it was like to be there for Tiffany through the up's and down's and then eventually, the several year wait on the transplant list and through the surgery itself. Tiffany, who gets a bit emotional (which leads to an entire podcast meltdown!), talks about what it meant to...2018-11-3000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #59 - Miss Los Gatos 2019Tiffany and Lea chat with Miss Los Gatos 2019, Camille Hunziker, a 22 year old pageant queen who has dedicated her time raising awareness for cystic fibrosis as a “Queen for a Cure.” The girls ask about how Camille got into pageants. She explains how the pageants work and how it’s been such a positive addition to her life with confidence. Camille shares how she got involved with the CF community and how “Queen for a Cure” came to be. She talks about how special the community is to her and what her plans are for her advocacy in the future. Camille is...2018-11-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #58 - NYC Marathon, "Breathing on Everest"Meredith Gaito, 26 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast to talk about her experience with running the NYC Marathon with Team Boomer just a few weeks ago! Meredith mentions that uses exercise and physical fitness as a way to actively treat her CF, she talks about her training routine and overcoming an infection in the weeks leading up to the marathon.
Meredith is also the director of a cystic fibrosis documentary that is in post production, "Breathing on Everest," which follows Nick Talbot's journey to becoming the first person with cystic fibrosis to summit Mt. Everest. She talks about some of...2018-11-1500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #57 - "Five Feet Apart" Trailer ReactionThe trailer for "Five Feet Apart" dropped last weekend, so the trio shares their initial thoughts about cystic fibrosis on the Silver Screen. Gunnar has been outspoken about some of the issues he has with the film as seen through the lens of the trailer, from portraying people with CF as being consumed by death to pity-seeking victims. Tiffany is a little bit more optimistic for the forthcoming movie and has even reached out to director Justin Baldoni. Lea shares that she suffered from an anxiety attack just hours after watching the trailer. The chat turns to the topic of...2018-11-0800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #56 - CFRD, Double Lung RetransplantationAmanda Varnes, 23 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast to talk about CFRD, double lung retransplantation and fungal infections. Amanda's battle with CF has been nothing short of inspiring, and is clearly evident in her amazingly bubbly personality. Amanda contracted a pan-resistant fungal infection at an early age, which led to her first double lung transplant in 2015. Rejection led her to a second transplant in 2017. The podcast also dedicates time to CFRD, which Amanda was diagnosed with when she was 16. Amanda talks about the emotional and physical burden that CF put on her in high school and offers some advice to...2018-11-0100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #55 - Is 100% Treatment Compliance Possible?Breathe In responds to Gunnar's blog "It is Possible to be 100% Compliant With Your CF Treatments – You’re Wrong If You Think Otherwise." The blog ended up being quite divisive, so the trio seeks to know "why?" Gunnar, Lea and Tiffany agree that it is possible to compliant with their mediations 100% of the time and they say why they are in their own lives. The conversation gets a bit heated when they start to respond to some of the comments on the blog post...
[listener discretion advised for some language]
You can see the blog post here: http://www.gunnaresiason.com...2018-10-2500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #54 - NACFC Day 3: Partnering, Adulting, and What We Want More/Less ofBreathe In wraps up NACFC week with another Facebook Live podcast. Gunnar and Tiffany are again joined by Amy and Darcy. The group starts the conversation with feedback on the "partnering" plenary, before moving on to "disease disclose," mental health and CF & working. The conversation turns towards each host's favorite part from the conference, what they didn't like and what they want more of next year!2018-10-2100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #53 - NACFC Day 2: Mental Health, Inflammation, Infections and NetworkingThe trio is not only joined by Amy again, but also Darcy today. For those of you who may be new to the podcast, Darcy, who doesn't have CF, is Gunnar's partner and a licensed social worker (LMSW). Darcy joins the podcast LIVE from NACFC in Denver. She gives her perspective on being at the conference and all the opportunities that sadly aren't readily afford to patients who can't attend out of fear of cross infection. Darcy also shares a little bit of both good news and bad news with the podcast about the state of mental health care in...2018-10-1900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #52 - NACFC Day 1: Patient Involvement, Session Recap, Airway Clearance, ExerciseThe 2018 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference is here! Breathe In will be recording LIVE podcasts Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the conference on the Boomer Esiason Foundation's Facebook page.
In this episode, the trio is joined by Amy, 37 years old with cystic fibrosis. Amy is currently writing Drug Development Wednesday articles on Gunnar's blog.
They recap the morning live stream session: airway clearance vs. exercise, airway clearance devices and disease severity. Amy has been very vocal about patient involvement in NACFC, so the conversation turns to how Cystic Fibrosis Foundation may better include patients in an event that otherwise excludes...2018-10-1800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #51 - SEASON 2 - World TravelBreathe In kicks off Season 2 with an episode dedicated to world travel. Lea just returned home a trip to Europe, while Gunnar is coming off a month and half worth of business trips. The trio recognizes that traveling with CF can be a stress point, especially because of packing and repacking medications before and during a trip. Lea and Tiffany say they organize their medications by each day when they pack. Gunnar, on the other hand, organizes his medications into their delivery methods - oral vs. inhaled. The group also talks about the importance of being transparent with airlines, airport...2018-10-1100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #50 - The Lighter Side of Cystic FibrosisCystic fibrosis is a brutal, unrelenting illness, but there is a lighter side to the disease. Like anything in life, simple mistakes or seemingly very serious experiences can also be funny. Gunnar, Lea and Tiffany tell of a few times when cystic fibrosis led to uncontrollable laughter, from recovery room stories, to the "smelly side" of CF, uncomfortable conversations and a number of awkward moments. The trio also agrees that humor is an effective coping mechanism and hopes that others are able to look back on some very serious moments and laugh!2018-09-2700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #49 - GuiltThe trio talks about the times they've experienced guilt in dealing with CF. Guilt comes in many ways, and as Gunnar says, isn't generally recognized until after the fact. He thinks guilt masks itself as frustration or anger. Guilt seeps into their lives mostly when they are sick and they feel like people are making unusual accommodations. Lea mentions that guilt is one of her most difficult challenges to deal with. She talks about having a hard time articulating her guilt to her support system and struggles with accepting helping. Tiffany talks about the days before her transplant when she...2018-09-2000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #48 - Buy or Sell: CF Tattoos, Vaccinations, Sinus Rinses, Medical Privacy and more"Buy or Sell" is back by popular demand! The rules of the game are simple, each host has to buy or sell a CF topic. If they "buys" it, that means they support the topic or technique. Conversely a "sell" rating means they disagree. The trio discusses CF topics from CF tattoos, to sterilization techniques, vaccines, sinus rinses, sharing medical info on social media, home PFT machines, E-Flows, clinical trial participation, disclosing CF to an employer or recruiter and more!2018-09-1300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #47 - Home IV'sBreathe In is back after a brief end of summer hiatus! Lea finds herself on IV's to start up September, so the trio talks about some of their experiences with home IV's. Home IV's can seem complex and overwhelming especially for patients and families who haven't yet developed a routine for recurring pulmonary exacerbations. Gunnar and the girls talk about the importance of finding a home care nurse that's easy to work with, remaining vigilant for medical mistakes - from expired medications to allergies - and, above all else, following a path to better health. The trio also talks about...2018-09-0600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #46 - Mental HealthDarcy, a mental health professional (who happens to be dating Gunnar), joins Lea and Tiffany on the podcast this week to talk about mental health in the cystic fibrosis patient population. The podcast starts with memories to childhood when mental health was overlooked within cystic fibrosis. The conversation turns to PTSD, traumatic procedures and operations and various treatment options. The group then moves on to talk about where they would like to see mental health care in the future for people living with cystic fibrosis. Make sure you check out Darcy's column on Gunnar's blog at www.GunnarEsiason.com2018-08-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #45 - Working in Education with CF and Back to School!Katie Fielding, 37 with cystic fibrosis and 15 years of experience in public education, joins the podcast to talk back to school! Katie offers advice on 504 plans, disability protections and gives some insight on why teachers want to do whatever it takes to see their students succeed. Gunnar offers input about some positive and negative experiences he had with being singled out for his disability, and while he thinks it's more than appropriate for people to use these accommodations, there's a right and wrong way to approach them. Tiffany talks about using her experience with a 504 plan, while Gunnar, Katie and Lea...2018-08-1600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #44 - Cystic Fibrosis, Going Vegan and CollegeHannah Buck, 23 with cystic fibrosis and entering her final year at University of Michigan, joins the the trio to talk about how she had to learn how to prioritize her health after a number of troubling health issues early on in her college career. She thinks that some of her problems were revolving around her college living conditions and lifestyle. She took it upon herself to make the impactful changes. Hannah also shares her journey to becoming a vegan. While her doctor initially resisted the change (but didn't deter her), her clinic's nutritionist empowered her to use the change to...2018-08-0900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #43 - How to Improve CF ClinicsThe trio builds off a topic from last week about changing the way things are done in CF clinics. The episode starts off with Gunnar, Tiffany and Lea running through a typical appointment at their respective CF clinics. Lea notes Hopkins' outdated way of doing things, and marshaling patients through a series of waiting rooms and separate "appointments" for consultation with the care team, PFT's and labs. Gunnar notes the average appointment at Columbia is like one stop shopping with just about everything happening in a single exam room. Tiffany, who still has to go to CF clinic post transplant...2018-08-0200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #42 - Taboo Topics: Genetics, Sex, Death, Alternative Remedies and moreWith the trio reunited, Gunnar and the Salty Cysters take on some Taboo Topics in the CF World. Tiffany recounts a powerful moment before her transplant surgery when she was faced with coming to grips with a life changing surgery or immediate demise, while the Gunnar and Lea talk about some fears associated with Death. The group talks about sexual health and how it is a normal part of life for everyone (people with CF included!), and although there can be some physical barriers (feeding tubes, and IV's included), nothing is insurmountable with a little imagination. The conversation turns to...2018-07-2600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #41 - Social Media and Chronic IllnessFilling in for Gunnar, Somer Love returns to the podcast and joins the Salty Cysters in a chat about social media in the cystic fibrosis community. They dive into why they use social media, how it has helped CF communication and friendships, and the positive influences it has brought to all three of them. Whether you are an active member on social media, looking to start a personal or CF account, or you’re a bystander on social media & you are just now looking into branching out & making connections with your fellow CFers, this episode offers something for everyone & gives gr...2018-07-1900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #40 - Monarch Airway ClearanceMarten DeVlieger, 37 with cystic fibrosis from Taber, Canada, joins Tiffany and Gunnar on the podcast this week to talk about his life with CF and what led to him inventing the basis for the Hill-Rom Monarch Airway Clearance System. Marten begins the interview by talking about his very active lifestyle, from backpacking through Europe, to being involved in a number of action sports and working as a commercial helicopter pilot, and as he says "living out of a hockey bag" while on the job. He is also a father, and discusses how he and his wife chose to use a...2018-07-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #39 - A Day in the LifeWith Gunnar back on the podcast this week, the trio takes a question from a listener who asks what an average day looks like. Since Gunnar, Tiffany and Lea are all at different places with their respective cases of CF, they attack the question through the lens of a work day, a time that's more social and when they're "sick." Gunnar and Lea talk about treatment time being cornerstones to their day, while Tiffany feels liberated and spontaneous post-transplant. The trio talks about planning out days and weeks in and advance and balancing health with pushing the limit!2018-06-2800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #38 - Female Problems and CFWith Gunnar away on business this week the Salty Cysters aka Lea & Tiff take over the Breathe in Podcast. They chat about the struggles of being a female with cystic fibrosis. CF poses challenges for any individual fighting the illness, however being a female with CF brings its own set of unique challenges. Whether it's that bottomless pit of a purse, that sexy CF belly, needing to eat a TON of food especially on a first date & the not so glamorous need to use the bathroom, or not being so lady like & spitting up a big glob of mucus in...2018-06-2100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #37 - The Transplant GamesErinn Hoyt, 27 with cystic fibrosis and 2.5 years post double lung transplant, comes on the podcast to talk about her path to the 2017 Transplant Games. Erinn says that Swimming was a huge part of her life, and kept her out of the hospital until she was 17 years, which oddly enough is when she was first introduced to Vest Therapy. Erinn's health began rapid decline during her senior year of college when she landed in the ICU due to a nasty infection. She was transplanted several years later and credits her athleticism to her quick recovery and turn around after the massive...2018-06-1400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #36 - Cystic Fibrosis and IVFDoug Simmons, 33 with cystic fibrosis, joins Gunnar and Lea on the podcast to talk about the IVF process. Since 98% of men with cystic fibrosis are infertile, CF men need to go through IVF to father children. Doug takes us through the entire process, from his wife Whitney's genetic testing, sperm aspiration, to egg retrieval and embryo transfers. Doug notes that while there is limited information available about the IVF process, he learned a lot from other patients and through doing his own research. Finally he does say that it the IVF process is both costly and stressful, as he and...2018-06-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #35 - Love to BreatheSomer Love joins the trio to round out cystic fibrosis awareness month. Somer is a tremendous advocate for people with cystic fibrosis as she shares her journey very transparently through social media and her brand - LoveToBreathe. Somer talks about how staying positive and having a good sense of humor are the best ways to live with CF and get through the day to day challenges. She talks what it's like to have CF and be a vegetarian, as well as considering joining in on Gunnar's challenge for Lea and Tiff where he made the two go ice skating. The...2018-05-3100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #34 - Mail Bag: Farting, Working in Healthcare, Achieving Goals and ConfidenceThe trio answers some questions from their listeners. How to approach farting in front of a new boyfriend or girlfriend? Do you ever feel guilty from being sick and having to miss out on a commitment or promise? What's it like for Lea to work as a nurse? What were a few things that your parents did to make you feel confident? Do you have an horrible hospital memories and/or flashbacks that trigger an emotional response? The trio launches a new clothing item in the Salty Cysters Etsy Store!2018-05-2400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #33 - Hospital Stays, the good, the bad and the uglyBreathe In hosted a LIVE recording of Episode 33, but don't worry if you missed it because here it is! The trio talks about hospital stays - the good the bad and the ugly. Gunnar gets "Iced" by his college roommates during an admission from his college years, Tiffany accidentally gets "high" from an incorrect medication dose and Lea has a bit of an.... awkward moment. The trio then takes a few questions from the live audience before wrapping up the show.2018-05-1800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #32 CRISPR and Genetic EthicsPodcast is dropping a day early this week as Gunnar heads off on vacation! Tiffany talks about her upcoming date with Taylor Swift this weekend, before the trio jumps into a debate about CRISPR and genetic ethics. They respond to the 60 Minutes CRISPR story from 4/29 and talk about the future of genetic precision medicine as it may relate to cystic fibrosis. The conversation switches to genetic ethics and CF as a genetic illness. Should families continue to have children after already having a child with CF? Is it ethical to terminate a pregnancy based on a CF diagnosis? Gunnar points...2018-05-0900 minBreathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In 31 - Right to Try and Compassionate Use MedicationsThe trio responds to a number of comments on their social media platforms about "Right to Try." What is Right to Try? How is it from Compassionate use? The trio debate the ethics surrounding a person's right to try unapproved medications. Is it worth it? Does it undercut the FDA and is that a good thing for the medical community at large? What is stopping people from utilizing Right to Try?2018-05-0300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #30 - Are Adult Patients Forgotten?Have we lost sight of the adult patients in the cystic fibrosis community? The trio responds to Gunnar's blog about what seems to be the prioritization of pediatric patients over the adults who have fought through CF for decades. Do adults feel forgotten? Tiffany talks about some of the frustrations she feels in having just missed out on the drug development boom by virtue of being post transplant, Lea shares her frustrations with falling just below the FEV1 cut off for different trials, and Gunnar pleads for more to be done for adults in the here and now.2018-04-2700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #29 - Fight Like a BossNick Di Brizzi joins the podcast for a special Organ Donation Awareness Month show. Nick, 37 with CF, is about 2 and a half years post double lung transplant. Nick talks about his journey through transplant, including an emotionally tolling "dry-run." He also talks about his Fight Like a Boss documentary and Breathe Like a Boss Foundation. Nick's incredible upbeat spirit is infectious, and as he says, he doesn't see the glass half full or half empty, his glass has free refills. Listen to Nick's incredible story in this episode of Breathe In!2018-04-1900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #28 - Staying OrganizedBreathe In takes a question from Gunnar's Facebook page, "how do you stay organized?" The trio go over a few different areas of care and organization, from treatment set ups, to routines and finances. Lea debates with Gunnar and Tiffany over her use of a "treatment tower" while Gunnar is the only one on the show who doesn't use a weekly pill case. Tiffany talks about some of the changes in her meds since she received her transplant and talks about how she had to write down a visual calendar to figure out a new routine. Finally they chat about...2018-04-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #27 - Cystic Fibrosis March Madness RecapThe trio is back after a week off to recap the Cystic Fibrosis March Madness Bracket. Coughing takes home the title (to little surprise), but Gunnar, Tiff and Lea noticed an interesting voting trend - people in different age groups tended to vote in different directions. The group discusses body image and why "You Don't Look Sick" may seem invalidating to a group of people living with CF. They also talk about ideas for next year's bracket, including a few weird things that have happened to Gunnar and Tiffany in the overnight hours over the years.2018-04-0500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #26 - Cross InfectionThe trio responds to an op-ed published by CF News Today which calls into question some of the cystic fibrosis cross-infection standards. Cross-infection is a very serious concern in the cystic fibrosis community when it comes to bacterium sharing and safety. The trio explains, on a very basic level, what cross-infection is and why it's harmful to people with CF. They also chat about the unique relationship Lea and Tiffany share through the Internet as well as them eventually meeting up in the near future in a safe way.... which Gunnar has some concerns over.2018-03-2200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #25 - Cystic Fibrosis March MadnessThe trio releases the Cystic Fibrosis March Madness bracket with the goal of finding the most ANNOYING part of living with CF. The bracket is designed for people to have a little fun with something that is otherwise so very serious. The bracket is broken into 4 regions - Symptoms, Treatments, Interactions and Roadblocks. Gunnar, Lea and Tiff give their picks for the tournament champion, which team may go on a "cinderella" run, and what they think are a few of the better first round matchups. Voting will begin on Thursday, March 15 at www.GunnarEsiason.com2018-03-1400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #24 - Body ImageThe trio tackles body image. Cystic fibrosis may be an "invisible illness," but it can definitely impact a person's image. Tiffany talks about coping with prednisone induced "moon face" post transplant, as well as a number of scars she's accumulated over the years from her transplant, port placement and meconium ileus surgery. Gunnar and Lea both mention that they've suffered from moon face as well. Gunnar talks about being underweight his whole life as well as not being able to hold muscle mass like his friends and teammates from his team sports days. Finally the group wraps up with talking...2018-03-0800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #23 - When One Sibling Has CF and The Other Doesn'tLea's sister Leeza joins the podcast to talk about a sibling's role in fighting cystic fibrosis. Leeza, who does not have CF, is Lea's younger sister. She talks about having always looked up to Lea and, when she was younger, though that doing treatments were a normal thing that everyone did. She even tells an anecdote of the time when she and Lea went out into town wearing matching picc line covers, despite Lea being the only one with a picc line in. The sisters, looking back on the childhood, say that the remember some differences and that Lea may...2018-03-0100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #22 - Mailbag: Following doctor's orders, our parents, managing care and more!Both Lea and Gunnar haven't been feeling so well, so the trio takes questions from listeners. Do you follow the doctor's orders without question? How is your relationship with your parents? When did we take over our own care? Traveling with CF. What do you think about fictional representations of CF? What were some of the great things teachers did for you when you were younger? The mailbag episode tackles a lot of questions from different angles!2018-02-2200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #21 - Valentine's Special, Gunnar's Girlfriend DarcyGunnar's girlfriend Darcy joins the podcast to give her perspective on dating someone with cystic fibrosis. Darcy shares how it took Gunnar well over a year to allow her to "help" out with his fight against CF - the couple has been dating for 2 and a half years now. Gunnar laughingly remembers that Darcy had to explicitly spell it out for him one time! Darcy has proven to be a huge emotional support for Gunnar, helping him utilize effective coping mechanisms, while Gunnar shares that Darcy's willingness to dive in and learn anything new (CF related or not) is what...2018-02-1600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #20 - Valentine's Special, Tiffany's Boyfriend JeffTiffany's boyfriend Jeff joins the podcast at the Valentine's Week series continues. Tiffany and Jeff have been dating well over 6 years and have been through quite a lot together, most notably Tiffany's double lung transplant. Jeff shares the the experience of Tiffany's life saving surgery and the time leading up to it through his eyes. He mentions that as much as he was physically there for her, it was important for him to be there as her rock to lean on through the fears and frustration of end stage lung disease. Jeff and Tiffany finish the episode with some advice...2018-02-1400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #19 - Valentine's Special, Lea's boyfriend PaulBreathe In Starts up the 3-episode Valentine's Special as Lea's boyfriend Paul joins the podcast to talk about dating a person with CF. Lea and Paul have been dating since the Spring of last year. Paul shares a bunch of "firsts" - the first time he saw Lea do treatments, the first them he and Lea spoke about CF, the first time he visited Lea in the hospital and others. Paul thinks it's important for significant others to get involved and learn about CF as much as they can! Be sure to check out the rest of the Valentine's episodes...2018-02-1200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #18 - Coughing in PublicThe CF cough. It's very distinct, it's very violent and it certainly sounds a little gross. The trio take a question from a listener, who asks how they deal with the cough in public. Coughing in public is a bit of a faux pas, especially during cold and flu season (for anyone), so Gunnar and the Salty Cysters talk about how they navigate some of the looks and comments directed towards them. They each share some positive and negative anecdotes (most of which have to do with nasty altercations with passengers on airplane). The group announces an upcoming series for...2018-02-0900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #17 - Buy or Sell: PICC vs Port, VogMask vs Surgical Mask, CPT vs Vest, and more!The trio jumps into a Buy or Sell episode. Gunnar, Lea and Tiff debate common topics in the CF and chronic illness worlds. Are PICC lines or Ports better? Why do Tiffany and Lea love the VogMask, while Gunnar hates it? Is Chest PT better than the Vest? Reusable neb-cups or disposable neb-cups? Listen to Gunnar and the Salty Cysters duke it out over some of these topics, and more!2018-02-0100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #16 - Working, Disability and HealthcareThe trio discusses their different working lifestyles. In response to the changes in her health, Lea has had to find a balance between working full and part time, while also considering her healthcare options from forgoing full time employment. Tiffany, since transplant, has been on disability, and while she mentions that it's not exactly where she saw herself when she was younger, she understands that she needs to get her health to a point where she can feel confident enough to work. Gunnar is the only one who holds a full time job at the moment. He feels like since...2018-01-2500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #15 - Social Situations and Peer PressureTiffany talks about living up to Gunnar's challenge and goes ice skating with her boyfriend. The trio then takes a question from a listener about alcohol and how it may interact with their lives. They discuss peer pressure, managing their health and ultimately how their drinking habits have changed over time. Tiffany notes that she's all but cut off her alcohol intake since being post transplant, while Gunnar and Lea discuss the importance of understanding possible medication interactions that may occur with alcohol. **This podcast episode contains mature themes including the discussion of alcohol and peer pressure. Some details have...2018-01-1800 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #14 - The ClinicTiffany talks about knocking an item off her bucket list as well as her annual transplant appointment, specifically a bronchoscopy from earlier in the week. The trio then discuss the differences between CF clinic visits and Tiffany's transplant visits as well as the vast differences that exist between all CF clinics around the country - from waiting rooms to PFT's. Towards the end of the podcast, Gunnar and Lea talk passionately about some of their grievances with the way clinical trials are run.2018-01-1100 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #13 - CF in the Winter, Good or bad?Breathe In is back after the Christmas break! The trio talks about Tiffany's first holiday season home from transplant... something she hasn't quite grasped yet. The conversation moves into precautions the three take during cold and flu season, and Gunnar's love of the winter. Gunnar has long been on team winter, over summer...and works to get Lea and Tiff to join his team. Check out this episode to learn a little bit more about Gunnar, Tiffany and Lea away from their everyday lives with CF.2018-01-0500 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #12 - Finding Positivity in Cystic FibrosisGunnar, Tiff and Lea talk about finding positivity in illness. Cystic fibrosis is a constant uphill battle, and the stress of constant adversity certainly is taxing, but the trio discussing points of motivation throughout their paths with chronic illness. Tiffany talks about her "weekly events" that she planned for herself when she was in end-stage respiratory illness, while Gunnar and Lea talk about using the good days as motivators to get through the tough days. Ultimately the holiday season is filled with joy, so why not share in it despite living with CF!?2017-12-2000 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #11 - Nutritional CareThe trio talks about the evolution of cystic fibrosis nutrition. The podcast starts with the group talking about the "old days" of CF nutrition when any and all high calorie diets were pushed on patients. Tiffany talks about daily trips to In-N-Out burger, while Gunnar and Lea talk about after school milkshakes. The trio then discusses how CF nutrition has evolved over time, to the point where we now look at WHERE our calories are coming from. Gunnar notes that he didn't have an appreciation for CF nutrition until he saw the benefits of added weight in the months following...2017-12-1400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #10 - Staying Compliant with TreatmentsThe trio takes a question from a CF mom who asks, "how can I convince my kid of the importance of staying compliant with his treatments?" The episode starts off with the big topic, "were we compliant as kids?" Ultimately the group determines that CF treatments have evolved so much since the early 90's that it's tough to compare the one or two nebulizer treatment sessions of their childhoods to what kids have to do today. The trio also shares a few anecdotes on how their respective parents helped them remain so compliant throughout their lives. Finally, Breathe In announces...2017-12-0700 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #8 - Living at HomeThe trio talks about something that many people living with chronic illness have to cope with... living at home. While living at home with parents brings with it many pros, there are certainly some parts of it that seem unnatural to an adult in his or her mid to late 20's. Gunnar and Lea talk about adjusting to home life after being independent during their college years, while Tiffany talks about never really having the chance to move out of her house thanks to her declining health. The group agrees that the main reason they all still live at home...2017-11-2400 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #6 - Cystic Fibrosis FriendshipsIn response to Gunnar's blog about friendships between people living with cystic fibrosis the trio discusses some of the pros and cons of such relationships. Tiffany and Lea dive into the start of the Salty Cysters, how they met and why they've decided to share their stories on social media. Gunnar, on the other hand, discusses his role as an advocate for people living with CF and shares why having met so many people with CF has helped shape his personality. While there are so many things to be gained in a CF friendship, the group warns that there is...2017-11-0900 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #5 - RelationshipsGunnar, Tiffany and Lea talk about relationships! Cystic Fibrosis can complicate committed relationships, and force a significant other to make sacrifices. The trio chat about their experiences with relationships and some of the things boyfriends or girlfriends have done to boost their support systems. They also talk about milestones and vulnerability, like doing treatments in front of a significant other for the first time, being sick or doing IV's. Ultimately the group agrees that significant others play a huge role in the fight against CF!2017-11-0200 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #4 - DatingGunnar, Tiffany and Lea discuss dating in the face of cystic fibrosis. CF can certainly complicate things when it comes to social activities and meeting someone new. The everyday person may not be comfortable with things that people with CF need to do on a daily basis, like treatments, medications and taking tablets. The trio also discusses dating apps, dating in college and creating relationships with old friends. Ultimately Gunnar and the Salty Cysters agree that dating with CF can be a challenge, but it is not one that is impossible!2017-10-2600 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #3 - Cystic Fibrosis Related ProceduresThe trio discusses some of the smaller medical procedures that come along with cystic fibrosis. From PICC line placement, embolizations, bronchoscopies, g-tube placements and everything in between, Gunnar, Tiffany and Lea chat about some of the anxieties that they share before getting wheeled into a room with a very bright light. No one loves getting a procedure done, but it's part of life with CF, so we are here to talk about it!2017-10-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #2 - College and Cystic FibrosisGunnar, Tiffany and Lea head back to college in this episode of Breathe In. The trio debate the differences between going away to college vs being a commuter student with CF. Tiffany, who commuted to college, talks about being reliant on friends when it came to moving around campus with her oxygen concentrator, while Gunnar and Lea talk about dealing with Disability Services to make sure their on campus living situations were as health-friendly as possible. The group also talks about sharing CF with new friends while away at school, and how best to succeed in the face of CF...2017-10-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastBreathe In #1 - Back to SchoolGunnar, Lea and Tiffany discuss their back to school tips. From Lea's experience at an all girls school as well as a catholic school, Gunnar's ride through private middle school and Quaker high school, to Tiffany's experiences with public school, the trio talk about some of their highs and lows. What are your cystic fibrosis back to school tips?2017-10-2300 min
Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis PodcastWelcome to Breathe InA dynamic podcast exploring the different experiences people with cystic fibrosis may face during their lives. Gunnar Esiason joins Tiffany Rich and Lea Faraone, otherwise known as the Salty Cysters, to talk about the in's and out's of cystic fibrosis from some of the anxieties and stresses that patients face to some of the lighter sides of the disease. Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis Podcast aims to characterize the disease in a positive way while showcasing the challenges that people with cystic fibrosis face and the people who face them.2017-10-2300 min
Making it Matter with Gunnar Esiason and Julia RaeMaking it Matter Ep. #46 – The Salt CystersAleeya and Alani Young, 18 year old twins battling cystic fibrosis, and better know as the Salt Cysters, join the podcast to talk about their lives with cystic fibrosis. Recent high school graduates, they discuss some of their ambitions, including both of them heading off to the University of Cincinnati in the Fall. They've created the Salt Cysters YouTube channel which aims to raise some awareness for CF, show how they are able overcome adversity and life a healthy lifestyle.2017-07-2000 minMaking it Matter with Gunnar Esiason and Julia RaeMaking it Matter Ep. #38 – Both Salty CystersJulia and I invited the Salty Cysters to join the program this week to talk about the kind of friendship that can be created between two people living with CF. Tiffany, a recent double lung transplant recipient, lives in California, while Lea (who has already been on the podcast once before) lives in Baltimore. Lea mentions that a few years ago she was struggling and wanted to talk to someone who understood everything that people with CF go through - Tiff was that person! And now today they have a recognizable social media brand, the Salty Cysters, spreading awareness and...2017-05-1100 minMaking it Matter with Gunnar Esiason and Julia RaeMaking it Matter Ep. #25 – Salty CystersLea Faraone, 26 with cystic fibrosis, joins Gunnar and Julia and on the Making it Matter podcast. She talks about her experiences in clinical trials, working as a nurse, thoughts on CF life expectancy and her work with the Salty Cysters, a social media platform used to spread awareness about cystic fibrosis.2017-02-0100 min