Air of Optimism

Episode 6 - Life after Transplant and Beyond

In our 6th and final episode, Bern explores new challenges that come after being a transplant recipient. Her incredible gratitude for life shines through and is contagious. Thank you for listening. We hope you may consider donating to Cystic Fibrosis research and talk with your family about the impact of being an organ donor.

Episode 5 - Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Transplant - a Daughter's Perspective

Episode 5 is a an incredible conversation with Bern's daughter Danica. As Bern and I were building our recordings, we realized, the story would not be complete without hearing from her daughter. In this episode, Danica and I explore growing up with a mom with Cystic Fibrosis and the moment the call came for the lung transplant. No doubt, listeners will be blown away by Danica's poise and vulnerability.

Episode 4 - Transplant - We've Found a Match

In episode 4 we see our first glimpse when the incredible challenge of facing mortality shakes Bern's optimistic approach to life. In this moving episode we share in the moment she gets the call saying they've found a match for a lung transplant. How do you say goodbye to your daughter as you head into a surgery that potentially could end your life - or - be the ticket to a whole new chapter...

Episode 3 - Pregnancy and Cystic Fibrosis

Episode 3 - in this touching episode, we explore the natural desire to be a parent and the challenges associated with Cystic Fibrosis. We explore Bern's journey but also discuss some of her close friend's experiences with pregnancy.

Episode 2 - The Teen years - "I want to be a NURSE"

Episode 2 takes us through Bern's teen years and the decision to go to nursing school. We learn about a guardian angel who helped make that a reality. In this episode, we see how Cystic Fibrosis began taking it's toll and shaping her future. One point of clarification in this episode - Bern is Canadian. When we reference how she discovered she was diabetic, we reference a high blood sugar in mmol/L instead of mg/dl. 20 mmol/L is equivalent to 360mg/dl.