CF Transplant Stories: 3 Women’s Voices (Part 1)

With CF community members Caleigh Haber, Tara Lisabeth, and Beth Peters

You asked for an episode on lung transplants—so we made two. (And there will be more). In the first half of CF transplant stories: 3 women’s voices, we talk with 3 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