Karen Vega, 30 years old with cystic fibrosis, discusses her pregnancy with CF and the joy of having twin boys.
Karen and her husband, Alex, have two-year-old twin boys, Jayden and Logan. In this podcast, Karen describes the medical concerns she faced and the treatments she undertook for her successful pregnancy.

Karen is LIVING, BREATHING and SUCCEEDING with a beautiful family!

A little more than a decade ago, marriage and starting a family seemed to be an unthinkable dream for people with CF. Through advancements in treatment of the disease and being compliant, the dream became a reality for Karen and her husband.

•    Karen grew up in New York, was diagnosed with CF at eight months and also has a brother with CF.
•    Karen attended Fordham University, worked on Wall Street for six years, and now is a stay-at-home mom.
•    “My doctor was very supportive and recommended my FEV’s be above 70 percent before deciding to start a family,” Karen says.
•    “One medical concern with a CF pregnancy is that sometimes people develop diabetes (CFRD),” she explains.
•    Karen saw a high-risk OB, and she also saw the doctors every two months instead of three months.
•    “You must establish a routine to balance family and health, and it’s important to have a good support team,” Karen says. “My mom moved in to assist me after I gave birth to Jayden and Logan.”
•    “The biggest challenge I face being a mom is time management,” Karen says. “I started jogging, and the exercise has been a major factor in keeping me healthy and a good way to get out with my two beautiful boys in the stroller.”

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Jerry Cahill, 54 years old with cystic fibrosis, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Jerry is exercising with oxygen to keep his lungs clear, coaching and volunteering at the Boomer Esiason Foundation as he awaits a double-lung transplant. Jerry attacks the day and is living, breathing and succeeding with CF.

• Jerry was diagnosed at age 10, and the doctors told his parents he would not make it to his 16th birthday.
• “Growing up with CF is challenging, but you just have to push through ... it’s a discipline,” Jerry says.
• Jerry loves being outdoors all year and exercises with a small oxygen tank, which helps him breathe better while he awaits a double-lung transplant.
• “I believe in a complete program of being compliant to medications, good nutrition, exercise and a fun social life,” he says.
• “Going out on disability is tough, but you just have to RE-INVENT yourself."
• Jerry believes in “attacking the day and focus on living! I look forward to tomorrow and the next day, next week, and next year ...”

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast is the 11th in a series of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

In this riveting video interview, Brian Gerofsky's wife and two sons share his story only months after he succumbed to CF in May 2009 at the age of 57.

• Debbie was married to Brian for 26 years and has two wonderful sons -- Evin (22 years old) and Alex (19 years old).
• “Brian was funny, loving, smart, passionate ... and to know him was to love him," Debbie says. Brian always called Debbie his soulmate, and his song for her was Van Morrison’s "Brown Eyed Girl.”
• Brian was very private, independent and compliant with his CF care, as he did not want to burden his family. “We lived our life around Brian’s CF but did not let it stop us from LIVING!” Debbie says.
• The Gerofsky family did a lot together, enjoying the beach, museums, music, dance and Broadway shows. The family meant everything to Brian. He believed in hard work and LIVING YOUR LIFE!
• Debbie, Evin and Alex believe the most important thing in a family dealing with CF is “open communication and respecting each other's feelings.”
• Evin and Alex admired their dad’s strength and the fact that he was always there for them. “If my dad was here right now I would like to tell him THANK YOU and I love you very much,” they said.

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast series is the 6th in a series of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to he Boomer Esiason Foundation.

In this riveting video interview, Brian Gerofsky's wife and two sons share his story only months after he succumbed to CF in May 2009 at the age of 57.

• Debbie was married to Brian for 26 years and has two wonderful sons -- Evin (22 years old) and Alex (19 years old).
• “Brian was funny, loving, smart, passionate ... and to know him was to love him," Debbie says. Brian always called Debbie his soulmate, and his song for her was Van Morrison’s "Brown Eyed Girl.”
• Brian was very private, independent and compliant with his CF care, as he did not want to burden his family. “We lived our life around Brian’s CF but did not let it stop us from LIVING!” Debbie says.
• The Gerofsky family did a lot together, enjoying the beach, museums, music, dance and Broadway shows. The family meant everything to Brian. He believed in hard work and LIVING YOUR LIFE!
• Debbie, Evin and Alex believe the most important thing in a family dealing with CF is “open communication and respecting each other's feelings.”
• Evin and Alex admired their dad’s strength and the fact that he was always there for them. “If my dad was here right now I would like to tell him THANK YOU and I love you very much,” they said.

This “LIVING. BREATHING. SUCCEEDING.” Podcast/Vodcast series is the 6th in a series of 12 made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech to he Boomer Esiason Foundation.