Cystic Fibrosis Podcast

Episode #0085 Casey Flaherty â Nutrition and CFCasey Flaherty, 25 years old with cystic fibrosis, living in New York City and running the ING New York City Marathon. Casey is working, attending nursing school, taking yoga classes and living, breathing, and succeeding with CF. -    Casey eats a high calorie well rounded diet consisting of fruits, nuts, vegetables, dairy for calcium, and lots of carbohydrates & protein,-    âBesides being adherent to my treatments I believe in good nutrition, exercise, and rest. I try to get 8 hours of sleep every nightâ states Casey.-    Casey loves junk foods like baked goods and pizza but tries to stay away from foods high in corn syrup and processed goodies.-    âI am always eating throughout the day so I make sure I pack my bag with fruit and trail mixâ states Casey.-    Caseyâs little secret on nutrition and CF is that she eats a lot of peanut butter and cheese as a snack because if itâs nutritional value.-    âCF is part of my life and I just deal with itâ everyone has somethingâ states Casey.-    Caseyâs recommendations to others with CF, âBe adherent to your medications, have a well balanced diet, rest, and communicate with your doctorâ.-    Casey believes, âThe more you put into your health, the more you will get out of it!â This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 7th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Episode #0084: Remembering Brian - A Wonderful Husband and Loving FatherThe Gerofsky family (Debbie, Evin, and Alex), the wife and sons of the late Brian Gerofsky share their heartfelt feelings about Brian. Debbie and her sons talk about living with CF in the family unit and share their fond memories of Brian.-    Debbie was married to Brian for 26 years and has 2 wonderful sons Evin (22 years old) and Alex (19 years old)-    âBrian was funny, loving, smart, passionate, and to know him was to love himâ, states Debbie. Brian always called Debbie his soul mate and his song for her was Van Morrisonâs Brown Eyed Girl.â-    Brian was very private, independent and compliant with his CF care, as he did not want to burden his family. âWe lived our life around Brianâs CF and did not let it stop us from LIVING!â states Debbie.-    The Gerofsky family did a lot together and enjoyed the beach, museums, music, dance, and Broadway shows. The family meant everything to Brian and he believed in hard work and LIVE YOUR LIFE!-    Debbie, Evin, and Alex believe that the most important thing in a family dealing with CF is; âopen communication and to respect each others feelingsââ-    Evin and Alex admired their dadâs strength and the fact that he was always there for them. -    âIf my dad was here right now I would like to tell him THANK YOU and I love you very muchâ states Evin and Alex.-    Brian passed away from cystic fibrosis in May 2009 at age 57.-    Although Brian is gone his memories live onâThis âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 6th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Episode #0084: Remembering Brian - A Wonderful Husband and Loving FatherThe Gerofsky family (Debbie, Evin, and Alex), the wife and sons of the late Brian Gerofsky share their heartfelt feelings about Brian. Debbie and her sons talk about living with CF in the family unit and share their fond memories of Brian.-    Debbie was married to Brian for 26 years and has 2 wonderful sons Evin (22 years old) and Alex (19 years old)-    âBrian was funny, loving, smart, passionate, and to know him was to love himâ, states Debbie. Brian always called Debbie his soul mate and his song for her was Van Morrisonâs Brown Eyed Girl.â-    Brian was very private, independent and compliant with his CF care, as he did not want to burden his family. âWe lived our life around Brianâs CF and did not let it stop us from LIVING!â states Debbie.-    The Gerofsky family did a lot together and enjoyed the beach, museums, music, dance, and Broadway shows. The family meant everything to Brian and he believed in hard work and LIVE YOUR LIFE!-    Debbie, Evin, and Alex believe that the most important thing in a family dealing with CF is; âopen communication and to respect each others feelingsââ-    Evin and Alex admired their dadâs strength and the fact that he was always there for them. -    âIf my dad was here right now I would like to tell him THANK YOU and I love you very muchâ states Evin and Alex.-    Brian passed away from cystic fibrosis in May 2009 at age 57.-    Although Brian is gone his memories live onâThis âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 6th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0083 Kevin McCrea â Exercise for Clear LungsKevin McCrea, 18 years old with cystic fibrosis, living Washington and loving life. Kevin is involved in many sports, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.  Attending Washington State University, Kevin believes in âshaking up the lungs and clearing them outâ through vigorous sports.-    Kevin was diagnosed at age two and grew up in a small town in the Northwest. Living in the country Kevin enjoys swimming, hiking, fishing, and riding dirt bikes.-    âIn high school I was actively involved in team sports including track & field (4 years), basketball (2 years), and football (1 year). Sports was a social event and has made a major impact on my healthâ states Kevin.-    Kevinâs training in basketball and track & field was 2 hours 6 days/week and the running and jumping makes him cough and clear out his lungs.-    Kevin on being compliant: âI believe in staying compliant and doing all my treatments, including exercise, so I can stay healthy and live a long lifeâ.-    The biggest challenge that Kevin faces with CF is time management of all the treatments.-    âCF is not a big deal to meâ I was born with it, live with it, and it will not stop meâ, believes Kevin.-    Kevinâs advice to other teens with CF; âPush forward an never give up â be active and go for it!â-    âStep it up! Get out there and live and do not alienate yourselfâ, Patrickâs advice to others with CF thinking about college.This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 5th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Episode #0082 Philip Stevanovic â CF Related Diabetes (CFRD)Philip Stevanovic, 36 years old with cystic fibrosis and diabetes, living in New York, married with twin boys, works full time as a construction manager, and received a double lung transplant in August 2007 at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City-    Philip was diagnosed at age 2 at the University of Minnesota.-    âGrowing up with CF was pretty uneventful except that I slept in a mist tent. I played soccer, tennis, football and lived in Africa, Middle East, and Yugoslavia,â states Phil.-    Philip was diagnosed with CFRD in 2006 via glucose tolerance test.  âI kept getting repeat infections because I had high blood sugar and bacteria feeds on sugar,â according to Phil.-    âI treat my CFRD with insulin shots before I eat and that controls the sugar at meals. Blood sugars are controlled by food, medication, and exercise,â states Phil.-    âSince I started insulin treatment for my CFRD I have gained weight, which is something I could never do with CF,â states Phil.-    Philip sees an Endocrinologist for his CFRD.-    âMy role models are my mother and father â they are responsible for making me the person I am today and I thank them for everything.â -    Philipâs recommendation to other with CFRD; âEnjoy life, be happy, stay focused, and get an Endocrinologist familiar with CF.âThis âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 4th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Patrick Newman â Gearing Up for College with CFPatrick Newman, 18 years old with cystic fibrosis, living in Missouri. Patrick is playing sports, enjoying friends and family, and gearing up for college.  Attending University of Missouri in the fall, Patrick is looking forward to being independent and taking responsibility for his health care. -    Patrick works hard at staying healthy with all his treatments to manage his CF. âI know that those few tiny moments I spend doing my treatments could add years onto my lifeâ, states Patrick.-    âI grew up in a healthy environment active in soccer, baseball, and golf. I also learned, at an early age, to take responsibility for myself â, states Patrick.-    Patrick is looking forward to going away to college to experience higher education, socializing, and being âmy own bossâ.-    âI am very lucky to have my family and friends as a great support system and I will be rooming with my best friend at college â itâs all about partnershipâ, states Patrick.-    The biggest challenge that Patrick faces with CF is time management.-    Patrick will be majoring in biology, wants to attend medical school, and hopes to study abroad for one semester.-    Patrick on being compliantâ  âYou do not want to play catch-up with your therapies so just do it - I do it because I want to live and enjoy life!â-    âStep it up! Get out there and live and do not alienate yourselfâ, Patrickâs advice to others with CF thinking about college.This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 3rd in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Victor Roggli â Succeeding in the Career World with CFVictor Roggli, 58 years old with cystic fibrosis, living in North Carolina, married with a family, and working full time in the medical research field. Victor, a professor of pathology, focusing on lungs, spends his workday teaching, doing research, and consulting. Victor is LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING with CF, the career world, and life!-    Victor was born in Winchester, Tennessee on a farm and was diagnosed at 12 years of age.-    âGrowing up I was always very active playing touch football, softball, and basketball. I am very thankful to my parents for letting me play sports and be a real boyâ states Victor.-    Victor attended Rice University where he majored in Bio Chemistry and then attended medical school at Baylor in Houston, Texas.-    âIf I had a chance to do something differently when I was growing up with CF I would have been more open about my CF and not put up so many wallsââ states Victor. -    Victor now believes in being open about his CF and does his aerosol therapies at work. âWith the American Disabilities Act people cannot discriminateâ -    âKnow your limitations with CF and be realistic in what you do in the career world,â states Victor.-    Victor loves singing in the shower and has become a BIG fan of karaoke at least twice a week.-    Victorâs advice to others with CF; âDo not adopt to CF, let it adopt to youââThis âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 2nd in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Chad Brown Believes in Laps for Life with Cystic Fibrosis Chad Brown, 27 years old with cystic fibrosis, living in Seattle Washington, took his FEV1âs from 29% to 58% through the power of swimming. Chad was listed for a double lung transplant and now he is getting his college degree, working to support himself, and exercising for life! Chad moved from Memphis to Seattle a few years ago and with a new CF team and new therapy and exercise discipline, is LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING LIVING on a daily basis. - Chad was born in Tennessee and diagnosed at birth. - âGrowing up I was always treated very differently and in many ways babiedâ This temporarily helped me cope with the disease but eventually it took a negative toll on me,â states Chad. - Insurance issues forced Chad to move to the state of Washington. âWashington has a user friendly state insurance program for people like myself with cystic fibrosis.â - âFor me, along with my therapies, swimming has kept me alive and healthy. When I first started swimming I could barely swim a lap. I now swim 45 minutes - 5 days a week!â states Chad. - Chad is pursuing a college degree in engineering, working over 30 hours a week to support himself, involved in a great relationship and looking forward to marriage and starting a family. âLife is goodââ - Chadâs advice to others with CF; âNo matter what NEVER give up. Itâs your life and you only have one so take charge and care of yourself!â This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 1st in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Chad Brown Believes in Laps for Life with Cystic Fibrosis Chad Brown, 27 years old with cystic fibrosis, living in Seattle Washington, took his FEV1âs from 29% to 58% through the power of swimming. Chad was listed for a double lung transplant and now he is getting his college degree, working to support himself, and exercising for life! Chad moved from Memphis to Seattle a few years ago and with a new CF team and new therapy and exercise discipline, is LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING LIVING on a daily basis. - Chad was born in Tennessee and diagnosed at birth. - âGrowing up I was always treated very differently and in many ways babiedâ This temporarily helped me cope with the disease but eventually it took a negative toll on me,â states Chad. - Insurance issues forced Chad to move to the state of Washington. âWashington has a user friendly state insurance program for people like myself with cystic fibrosis.â - âFor me, along with my therapies, swimming has kept me alive and healthy. When I first started swimming I could barely swim a lap. I now swim 45 minutes - 5 days a week!â states Chad. - Chad is pursuing a college degree in engineering, working over 30 hours a week to support himself, involved in a great relationship and looking forward to marriage and starting a family. âLife is goodââ - Chadâs advice to others with CF; âNo matter what NEVER give up. Itâs your life and you only have one so take charge and care of yourself!â This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 1st in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0078 CF Travel Tips - Isabel Stenzel Byrnes Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, 37 years old with cystic fibrosis living in Northern California, a wanderlust, and post transplant 5 years, and co-author with her sister Anabel of the book The Power of Two (www.stenzeltwins.com). Isabel has worked as a social worker and health educator and is LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING LIVING on a daily basis. Isabel, along with her twin sister Anabel and family, has traveled the world visiting 12 foreign countries and 41 states in the USA. Isabel started traveling at age 8 and has also lived in Japan for one year. - Isabel was born in Southern California, diagnosed at birth, and had an active childhood loving the outdoors and such sports as swimming, jogging, and hiking. - Isabel graduated college from the Stanford University, competes in the Transplant Games, and most recently started playing the âbagpipes.â - âWhen traveling I make sure I have the CF doctor contact info in the city I am traveling to, take extra prescriptions, wash hands a lot, drink lots of water, and ALWAYS carry-on my medicationsâ states Isabel. - Post transplant Isabel continues to travel and has added a mask during airplane travel. - âI have lived a very privileged life and CF had taught me to be very disciplined and everyone with CF is a mentor to me,â states Isabel. - Isabelâs advice; âDo not limit yourself and allow yourself to dreamââ This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the final of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0077 Julie Desch - Nutrition and CF Julie Desch, 48 years old with cystic fibrosis living in Northern California, single mom with 2 fabulous children and works from home running a non-profit â New Day Wellness (www.newdaywell.org), and LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING LIVING on a daily basisâ Julie has realized the benefits of nutrition and exercise and at New Day Wellness Julie coachâs nutrition, fitness, stress management, and disease management to people with chronic illness â many with CF. - Julie was born in Nebraska, diagnosed at birth; the youngest of 7 siblings, attended Stanford University, and enjoys golf, running, weight training, and reading. - âI enjoy sharing my thoughts on nutrition, wellness, and exercise on my blog: www.sickandhappy.com, this is a great way to get the word out thereâ, states Julie. - Julieâs âjunkâ foods include; pretzels, yogurt, frosted mini wheatâs dipped in peanut butter. - âI am a firm believer in supplements such as fish oil, NAC, and additional vitamins but ALL are with doctors approvalâ, states Julie. - Shakes and smoothies with protein added are a must have when Julie is not feeling well or needs an extra boost! - âEat early and eat often, and make sure you are eating lots of fruit, vegetables, and protein â I eat a lot of the right foodsââ states Julie - Gaining weightâ âGet involved in exercise and especially weight training and eat a lotâ, believes Julie - Julieâs advice to othersâ âhopeâ and be compliant and aggressive to keep your lungs clearâ This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 11th of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0076 Paul Drury - Giving Back to the CF Community Paul Drury, 42 years old with cystic fibrosis, happily married, working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Connecticut Chapter), a mentor to the CF community, post lung and kidney transplant, and LIVING BREATHING SUCCEEDING LIVING on a daily basisâ 24/7 for the CF community is what Paul Drury is all aboutâ not only does he live with the disease; Paul works for the CFF fundraising and speaking to many people with CF on a daily basis. - Paul was born in Chicago, diagnosed at age 2 due to âfailure to thriveâ, grew up in Connecticut, attended the University of Connecticut, and is one of six children. - âGrowing up with CF was a very private matter and I jumped in to the world of CF post transplantâ, states Paul. - Paul believes; âWorking for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation letâs me give back to others and have a major impact on their life by giving them HOPE... and it makes me feel goodâ. - Paul gives back at the CFF by doing fundraising for a cure, speaking at events to raise awareness, speaks to families and patients on a daily basis; â I am like the poster adult for the CF communityâ, states Paul. - Paul is also an artist and âgives backâ by doing paintings (pointillism) for various CF events. - Paulâs biggest challenge on a daily basis; âStaying healthyââ - Paulâs advice; âDo your med.âs, exercise, nutrition, and sometimes laughter is the best medicineâ. This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 10th of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0075 Living with CF is All about Teamwork Gunnar Esiason, 17 years old with cystic fibrosis (CF), high school senior, actively involved in sports, being compliant, gearing up for college, and a team player in all aspects of his life. - Gunnar was diagnosed at age 2 and resides in Long Island with his family. - âCF has obviously shaped my life but does not get in the way of me being a normal teenager,â states Gunnar. - Gunnar, like being on a football team, has a team of doctors and health care providers to make sure he is on top of his gameâ - âMy CF team consists of my physician, dietician, nurse, respiratory therapist, social worker, and sometimes specialist in other areas as CF affects other parts of the body,â states Gunnar. - âBesides my medical team, my family and friends are also a big part of my team and the more they know about me the better they can help and I can win the battle with CF,â states Gunnar. - Gunnar believes that being honest and truthful with your team is the key to succeeding in life and with cystic fibrosis. - Gunnarâs advice to others with CF â âAlways communicate with your CF team. The more info you can give the more your team can help you maintain good health especially as you become more independent and move on to college.â This podcast was made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from EURAND to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0074 Pre-Transplant â Gearing Up for New Beginningsâ Jerry Cahill, 52 years old, Living Breathing Succeeding with cystic fibrosis talks about being listed for a double lung transplant. Exercise has been a key factor in his life to keep his lungs clear and continues to be important pre-transplant. - Jerry grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Attended the University of Connecticut, competed in track & field specializing in the pole vault, worked in the apparel industry for 26 years, coachâs track & field, and currently volunteers at the Boomer Esiason Foundation as he awaits a double lung transplant. - âMaintaining a positive attitude and being involved with people and events is key as I await the callââ states Jerry - âAs my disease progresses due to shortness of breath and my quality of life deteriorates it is time to move on to the next step â transplantââ Jerry believes. - Jerry believes that he has been preparing for a transplant his whole life, as it is just another part of the battle with CFâ âWith CF you always need to be prepared and RE-INVENT yourself!â - Jerryâs adviceâ âStay active and involved, have a great TEAM of doctors that you believe in, have a great support team of family & friends, FUNDRAISE, and gear up for NEW BEGINNINGS as the best is yet to comeââ This âLIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.â Podcast/Vodcast series is the 9th in a series of 12 made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Title: Episode #0073 Better Living Through Nutrition â Power Up the Body Gunnar Esiason, 17 years old with cystic fibrosis (CF), high school senior, actively involved in sports, being compliant, and gearing up for college - Gunnar was diagnosed at age 2 and resides in Long Island with his family. - âCF has obviously shaped my life but I am fortunate to have a great family and friendsâ states Gunnar. - Gunnar loves to eat and some of his favorite foods include steak, pizza, hamburgers, shrimp, and carrots. - âI take my enzymes with snacks and meals so my body can absorb all the nutrients from my foods and help me to gain weight. Also if I donât take my enzymes I will get stomach aches and that is very uncomfortableâ states Gunnar. - Gunnar keeps his enzymes in a pillbox and always carries them in his pocket or backpack. - âI usually try and have 4 meals a day and snacks between meals and make sure that I have a lot of OPTIONS with my food choices. I also make milkshakes to get extra caloriesâ. States Gunnar - Gunnarâs advice to others with CF on nutritionâ âTake your enzymes to help you stay healthy and keep your weight on and be energeticâ. - âMy long term hopes and dreams are to live a long and full healthy life and play sports till I am 60â states Gunnar. This podcast was made possible through and unrestricted educational grant from EURAND to The Boomer Esiason Foundation.