It's a Lung Story: Aging and Cystic Fibrosis

In the season finale of “It’s a Lung Story”, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker return to the studio for a deeply honest conversation about caregiving in cystic fibrosis—what it demands, what it gives back, and what often goes unseen. They’re joined by two caregivers: Pam Richards, mother to an adult daughter living with CF, and Shannon Mortimer, a CF spouse. Pam and Shannon share what it means to love and care for someone through years of illness, hospitalizations, and transplant care. They talk about how stepping in and out of the caregiver role shapes identity, family dynamics, and emotional endurance. They speak openly about trust, guilt, burnout, faith, support, and the emotional aftermath that doesn’t automatically resolve when health stabilizes. Woven into the episode are voice messages from people living with CF, offering gratitude to the caregivers who manage medications, sit through long hospital nights, absorb medical trauma, and quietly hold families together.

For many couples in the cystic fibrosis community, building a family means facing infertility—and deciding how to move forward when biology makes things harder, yet again. In this episode, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey and Andrea Gavin Becker dive in with Darcy Esiason—CF spouse, mom of two, therapist, and director of the Boomer Esiason Foundation’s IVF Grant Program. We talk about choosing to be with someone with CF, love, and what it takes to stay grounded through the stress and uncertainty of IVF. Darcy shares the story of how she and her husband, Gunnar, met, fell in love, and navigated the realities of infertility—from the science (and yes, the scalpel) to the surprising moments of laughter, spirituality, and grace that carried them through. She also talks about the work their foundation is doing to make IVF possible for more people with CF—one beautiful baby at a time. It’s a story about persistence, partnership, and finding joy and humor in unexpected places—including driving a vial of testicular tissue across town before sunrise. Whether you’re navigating IVF yourself or just curious what family-building looks like when CF is part of the story, don’t miss this episode. Resources: https://www.esiason.org/assistance/ivf-grant/ NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Most people with CF know their lungs better than anyone. But the liver? It’s rarely front and center. In this episode, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey and Andrea Gavin Becker talk all things liver with Dr. Jay Freeman, a hepatologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a leader in the GI and liver complications of children and adults with cystic fibrosis. Joining that conversation is Sarah Richards—who received a double lung and liver transplant at Duke—to talk about one of CF’s most overlooked complications: liver and biliary disease. Sarah shares what it’s like to live through end-stage liver failure and come out the other side, while Jay explains how CFTR affects the liver and what screening for liver and biliary disease looks like—as well as early warning signs for people with CF. We cover scoring systems, swollen bellies, ultrasound screening, and we search for answers beyond “bad luck” as the best explanation medicine has to offer. Also tucked into the episode: a spirited debate over sandwich geometry, Batman, and a karaoke moment of brilliance. Jay Freeman: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/alvin-j-freeman Find our Sarah Richards on Instagram: @sarahjoysofcf Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In Part 2 of "CF Parenting Stories: 3 Voices, 3 Perspectives", Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Andrea Gavin Becker, and Lauren Harvey sit down with returning guests Abi, Mike, and Morgan to discuss how parenting when you have cystic fibrosis evolves across stages of life. They talk about managing decline, building support, and the hard reality of not knowing how many healthy years you’ll get. There’s reflection on partnerships, mental load, and the complex role guilt plays—both in parenting and being parented. But this conversation isn’t just about what’s hard. It’s also about presence, perspective, and the joy that is parenting—even if things feel uncertain. From board game meltdowns to grief spirals, this episode captures the perspective, pragmatism, and constant recalibration of parenting when you have CF. Find our guests' complete bios on Instagram: Morgan Barett: @morganbarrett__ Abi Halstead: @abihalstead Mike Shapiro: @mmjlshapiro Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

As more people with cystic fibrosis have the chance to become parents (because for the first time, many are living long enough to consider it), Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker are asking what that looks like. In "CF Parenting Stories: 3 Voices, 3 Perspectives" (Part 1), we talk with three parents with CF—Abi, Mike, and Morgan—each navigating a different version of family life with CF in the mix. They explore exhaustion, decision fatigue, burnout, and shifting roles. They also share how they explain CF to their kids—what they say, what they leave out, and how those conversations evolve over time. There’s transparency about what’s working, what they’ve learned through trial and error, how parenting changes when your health isn’t a given, and how modulators have changed the picture for some, but not for others. From travel-day chaos to a Scooby-Doo impression you won’t want to miss, this episode brings humor, honesty, and a deep sense of lived experience—whether you’re parenting, considering it, or just curious what it takes. Find our guests' complete bios on Instagram: Morgan Barett: @morganbarrett__ Abi Halstead: @abihalstead Mike Shapiro: @mmjlshapiro Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

People with CF are used to waiting for the other shoe to drop—but a cancer diagnosis? That one still lands with a thud. In this episode, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker, sit down with Dr. Steve Freedman and Dr. Chelsea Lau to talk about something that’s been in medical literature for decades, but is still rarely discussed: cancer risk in CF. As more people with CF live longer—many well into adulthood and post-transplant—questions about increased cancer risk are becoming more urgent. Steve and Chelsea walk us through the science behind CFTR as a tumor suppressor gene, how chronic inflammation and disrupted gut environments may set the stage for certain cancers, and why the modulator era, while revolutionary for lungs, might not offer the same protection in the GI tract. We talk screening, colonoscopies, and what we do (and don’t) know about breast, pancreatic, and post-transplant lymphoma risks. Andrea asks about cancer diets specific to CF, and Steve tries not to geek out about mice and microbiota. Also: organic produce, telomeres, and a musical finale you might want to skip—but shouldn’t. Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In the second part of "CF Transplant Stories: 3 Women’s Voices", the conversation shifts to a more open, deconstructed rhythm with collective reflection. Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey and Andrea Gavin Becker continue their talks with Tara, Beth, and Caleigh about what it takes to get listed, find a center that will say yes, and stay alive through red tape, denials, and decisions no one trains you for. We also talk about what it means to rebuild a life after transplant—one that isn’t just about survival, but about identity, connection, and imagining a future again. That future can feel uncertain, shaped by shifting priorities and unexpected realities. From fertility, IVF, body image, and relationships to careers and community, this half is about the messy, ongoing work of finding your way forward. Find our guests' complete bios on Instagram: Tara Lisabeth @alivewitheverybreath Beth Peters @bethpeters80 Caleigh Haber @fight2breathe Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

You asked for an episode on lung transplants—so we made two . In the first half of "CF Transplant Stories: 3 Women’s Voices", Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker talk with three women from the cystic fibrosis (CF) community—Tara, Beth and Caleigh—about what it means to make the choice to pursue a lung transplant—sometimes more than once. They share what it’s like to be denied, to learn that a first set of lungs might not be the last, and what it’s like to face cancer (after two transplants). Along with survivor’s guilt, grief, and the emotional toll of constant advocacy, there’s also humor, connection, and the relief of being understood when you hang with others who’ve faced similar things. The women also reflect on the lasting mental toll of a lung transplant—PTSD, anxiety, and the emotional whiplash of preparing for both life and loss at the same time. This episode sits in the space before and after “the call”—and what it takes to say yes to the unknown. Find our guests' complete bios on Instagram: Tara Lisabeth @alivewitheverybreath Beth Peters @bethpeters80 Caleigh Haber @fight2breathe Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

This month, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker discuss something often overlooked in cystic fibrosis (CF) care: hearing loss. We are joined by Dr. Angie Garinis: an audiologist, researcher, and expert in hearing and balance disorders—especially when caused by medications like aminoglycoside antibiotics (specifically tobramycin) commonly used to treat lung infections in CF. She breaks down the science of ototoxicity and shares what people with CF need to know about protecting their hearing and vestibular health. Annual hearing checks, she argues, should be as routine as eye exams—and yes, there are apps for that. If you catch a faint, high-pitched beeping during the episode, don’t adjust your headphones—it’s Andrea’s diabetes pump. Ironically, she couldn’t hear it, because of her high-frequency hearing loss. Consider it a real-world remix of chronic illness, notification fatigue, and assistive tech that sometimes...isn’t. Andrea shares her post-transplant experience with sound sensitivity, balance challenges, and advocating to avoid receiving aminoglycoside antibiotics. Other topics include: tech advances like over-the-counter hearing aids, app-based screenings, and why not all devices are created equal. From partner dynamics to portable audiograms, this episode blends humor, insight, and lived experience. Ghost stories, snack confessions, and singing audiologists are, of course, included. It’s the episode you didn’t know you needed to hear. Dr. Angela Garinis https://www.ohsu.edu/people/angela-c-garinis-phd-ccc-a Resources: NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In Part 2 of "Salty and Sexy", Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker go further into how growing old with cystic fibrosis intersects with reproductive and sexual health. Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski are back to talk about the realities of perimenopause and menopause in CF—including hormone therapy, bone density, and the growing need for cancer screenings. They also discuss recent research initiatives—including the PROTECT Workshop and the Mayflowers study—which are exploring the effects of prenatal exposure to CF modulators. We talk honestly about the unspoken intimacy challenges of CF and offer practical advice for navigating them. The conversation also addresses the emotional and clinical gaps in care for CF patients as they age, and the importance of making space for sexual and reproductive health in clinic conversations. CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains candid discussions of sexual and reproductive health in CF, including references to anatomy, intimacy, and fertility. RESOURCES: • Mayflowers Study (U.S.) https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382 • "Menopause in people with cystic fibrosis" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720079/ NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Sexual and reproductive health isn’t always talked about in CF clinic—but we think it should be part of normal clinic discourse. In episode three of It’s a Lung Story, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker are joined by two incredible guests; pulmonologists Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski, national leaders in CF sexual health research and absolute pros at keeping it real. Together, we talk about how modulators are shifting fertility expectations, what male infertility in CF actually means, the pregnancy boom, and why pH levels matter more than you’d think. We also get into why CF care teams need to talk more openly about contraception, capacitation (look it up!), and yes—there’s a chocolate visual you’ll never unhear. And don’t worry—there was so much good stuff we had to split this one in two! Part 2 will tackle menopause, intimacy, hormone therapy, and things you didn't even know you wanted to hear about. RESOURCES: • Mayflowers Study (U.S.) https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04828382 • North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) – Plenary 3 Presentation by Dr. Raksha Jain and Dr. Traci Kazmerski Reproductive Health in Cystic Fibrosis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MwRUD222U0. NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. • Dr. Ahmet Uluer https://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/ahmet-uluer

In this episode of It’s a Lung Story, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker dive into the complex relationship between mental health and cystic fibrosis. Dr. Anna Georgiopoulos, a psychiatrist at Mass General Brigham and an expert in CF mental health, joins the team to explore how medical advancements have transformed physical health without always improving mental well-being, the emotional challenges of aging with CF, and the evolving dynamics of caregiver relationships. Dr. Georgiopoulos shares insights from groundbreaking research, including the upcoming RETRIAL study, which examines how newer CF modulators affect mental health. We also discuss survivor’s guilt from an unexpected angle, and the reality that looking healthy doesn’t mean living without struggle. We also talk about cheating on mental health screenings, dancing with our dogs, and the evolution of swear words in Taylor Swift's discography. Mental health is serious—but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun along the way. RESOURCES • CF Foundation’s Mental Health Guidelines & Screening Tools https://thorax.bmj.com/content/71/1/26 • European CF Society Mental Health Guidelines https://www.ecfs.eu/mental-health-in_CF NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Managing cystic fibrosis is tough—but adding cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) to the mix? That’s next level. Not everyone with CF develops CFRD so why does it happen? And what are the emotional and mental tolls of a second diagnosis? Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker ask the questions you want answers to. On the inaugural episode of It's a Lung Story, Dr. Melissa Putnam, an endocrinologist and expert in CFRD at Mass General Brigham in Boston, joins us to explore all things CFRD. Together, we dive into what makes CFRD different from other types of diabetes (and why it doesn’t get its own number like Type 1 or Type 2), the importance of screening (and how it can be improved), and the long-term risk factors that come into play now that people with CF are living longer. Andrea and Lauren share their own experiences of living with CFRD. We also discuss the stellar math skills required to count carbs, the exciting potential of the bionic pancreas—and what it could mean for people with CFRD. Expect a few detours—because CFRD often refuses to follow a script! RESOURCES • North American CF Conference 2024 Plenary on CFRD: https://www.youtube.com/live/d_jxpODEKw8 NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Welcome to the launch trailer for It's a Lung Story! In this podcast, Dr. Ahmet Uluer, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker explore the realities of aging with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the era of modulators and medical advancements. Through expert interviews, personal narratives, and compelling storytelling, we get into real conversations about both the challenges and the resilience of the CF community.! Whether you have CF, know someone who does, are a caregiver, healthcare provider, medical student, or just enjoy a good pun as a podcast name, we have something for you!