Tag Archives: cystic fibrosis

My Body, the Resilient Warrior

Posted on January 15, 2018 by emsander

My body is strong. It’s been through a hell of a lot. You see, it’s been fighting since day one, as soon as my diseased lungs expanded for the first time. A relentless slog forward. Despite the premature death sentence … Continue reading →

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The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received

Posted on March 28, 2015 by emsander

2015 started out really rough. I got out of the hospital just in time to ring in the New Year at home rather than in a hospital bed. I went on IV antibiotics for three weeks at the same time work … Continue reading →

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How to Travel With a Fatal Disease

Posted on July 29, 2013 by emsander

If you’ve been following my recent posts about studying abroad and traveling Europe, you’re probably wondering how this is physically possible. But, Erica, don’t you have cystic fibrosis? Doesn’t your blog bio list a variety of chronic illnesses? Don’t you … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a Quarter-Life Crisis

Posted on May 6, 2013 by emsander

“What do you want to do?” “I want to leave my job and I don’t want to resign my lease.” The second the words left my mouth I knew they were true. As scary as they were, those words had … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part III

Posted on December 21, 2012 by emsander

All I wanted to do was sleep. But my new hospital roommate made that task impossible. She was a kind woman in her 40s from Colombia with a heart condition and the voice of Sofia Vergara. “You neeeeed da rrrrred … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part II

Posted on December 7, 2012 by emsander

I was wheeled into a hospital room occupied by five senior citizens screaming at each other. Dear God, help me. On second thought, maybe I’ll just suck up the pain and go home. Oxygen is overrated anyways. “Oops, this is the wrong … Continue reading →

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The Hospital from Hell: Part I

Posted on December 5, 2012 by emsander

Every breath felt like a needle stabbing into my lungs. The weight on my chest and back was unlike anything I’ve experienced. “Is this dress too summery?” my roommate asked, opening my bedroom door to model her outfit. I burst … Continue reading →

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Mono a Mono

Posted on November 20, 2012 by emsander

“You’re positive for mono,” the doctor confirmed a few weeks later. Excuse me? Who gets mono at this age? I thought this stuff was for make-out sluts in college or hormonal high schoolers. It was frankly embarrassing to tell my … Continue reading →

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