Sweet&Salty

And I promise that nobody’s gonna love you like me 🥰 5 years later and this man still gives me butterflies. 🦋 Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a more patient, loving person to support me through life. Of course, it’s not always picture perfect, but it’s my perfect picture. I love you Benj, I wish we could be together today, but we have eternity together! Happy 5th Anniversary! #42614 (at Bristol, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwvaV2IJJMV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1a9a13z4jw2wu

Today was an amazing, beautiful, cold, crazy day. This was the 19th annual Plunge, I was so fortunate to be a part of it, all to raise money for transplant funds for 5 of us. I honestly can’t believe people ran into the frozen Atlantic Ocean, there was literally ice floating. They said this is the coldest the water has been since they started the plunge. My mom even went in a little bit!! Kudos to her, because I was uncontrollably shaking from just standing outside!! Thank you to every person who donated, every person who got into the ocean, and everyone who made this day amazing! #polarplunge2019 #frozen #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife (at Breezy Point, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZlzL-hyad/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jx51po11qinc

Got to talk to one of my favorite people about one of my least favorite things to do... sinus surgeries! Listen to podcast #65 from @breathe_in_pod And let me know if you have any questions! @esiason17g Feel better soon! Thanks again!! Link in bio!! #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #sinus #sinussurgery #cyster #fibro #curecf #suscribe #podcast #bef https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWrG88ht-3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9t2q0p70jb6n

I’m honored to not only be a part of the @healthbeme community, but to be a #starwebe 🌟 A #webewarrior is someone who strives to put the human care in healthcare. Somebody who educates people about being a patient, but also being a person. I’m part of the #forcehive a subgroup inside health benefits for those of us with cystic fibrosis. 7 of us, all with lung transplants were so lucky to have met this month in Disney, to celebrate life and friendships across the nation. 💜♻️💛🐝 #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife #cysterhoodofthetravelinglungs #tx2disney #gargoylesunite https://www.instagram.com/p/BtG3JRKBCGp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gnwigy8sl734

When you realize vacation is officially over... This is my favorite picture from the whole trip. I keep looking at it and cracking up. I miss my girls and our late night talks, cakawing in public, starting a musical at any given moment, and waking around gift shops yelling “Rima”. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ #unamused #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife #cysterhoodofthetravelinglungs #tx2disney #gargoylesunite https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4Hc89hKGj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4iilfvafiv8f

Cheers to the last year of my 20’s!! I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of my family and friends. And of course, the real reason I’m here, Dre! I’m hopeful 29 will be a great year!! #hbd #29 #29andfeelingfine #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1-10_BSIP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1moypbf2bqd7g

Missing my salty squad as I land back in Charlotte. I can’t believe this week is over, it was so magical and amazing. These girls are everything, I love every single one and I can’t wait to see them again soon. #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife #cysterhoodofthetravelinglungs #tx2disney #gargoylesunite https://www.instagram.com/p/BsyQjBPhNTm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wbsjn83gw597

Thanks to our selfless donors, all 7 of us were able to walk over 40 miles this week. Tonight we said, “see you later”, now to plan the next trip. #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife #youcantsitwithus #cysterhoodofthetravelinglungs #tx2disney #gargoylesunite (at Universal Studios Orlando/Citywalk) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bswvc0-BXl4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tfowalaw833g

7 salty girls walk into Disney... •#cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife #cysterhoodofthetravelinglungs #tx2disney #gargoylesunite (at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsttEJ6hekT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=euzx0whs7a61

There was a solid chance we would all hate each other.... thank goodness that didn’t happen. Spent a magical day in Animal Kingdom with my salty cysters 💜♻️ #tx2disney #youcantsitwithus #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife (at Disney's Animal Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsofkMOBXbn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17x2xymyh4mt0

We’re finally together. 7 girls from 7 different states with 9 double lung transplants between us. I feel so blessed to call these girls my friends. Cheers to being at the happiest place on earth 🍻 #cysticfibrosis #tx2disney #gargoylesunite #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife (at Disney's Art of Animation Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmAbuNhSDI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=j60yvrewq549

MY TWIN!! 2 years ago today you got the miracle you needed so badly. I am forever grateful to your donors, because of them I have an amazing best friend! ALSO... I get to see you today, so you’re day is about to get infinitely better. 😍 Cheers Mander! 👯 #doublelungtransplant #timestwo #twoyears #twins #idecidednottoembarassyou #fortoday https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsf8omihU5e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tzuebbn1zw6i

Ya’ll still really “like” that I’ve got these lungs, which is good, I like them too. I like taking them on adventures and keeping them healthy as much as you do. Ya’ll also REALLY “like” the family that became apart of mine 2 years ago... SAME. I’m glad y’all also “like” my best friend, @avarnes95 she’s pretty cool and I’d like her to stay healthy for 2019. 🥂 Cheers to a year of health, happiness, and love. #2018 #hey2019 #topnine2018 . #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife https://www.instagram.com/p/BsDcbrbBtae/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ra5bnxnk940g

Today, 14 years ago, the lungs inside my chest took their first breath. Today, I breathe easily because of Dre’s lungs. These 14 year old lungs are something I cherish every day of my life, something I thought I would never get to experience in my 28 years. Dre not only brought me life and the gift of breathing, he brought me an extra branch of family. Cheers to 14 years, and to many more days breathing! 🥂 Jia was there for Dre’s first breath, so I wanted her to hear his 14th year breath. Forever grateful ♻️ In honor of Dre’s birthday, sign up to be an organ donor so you can change someone’s life. . #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife https://www.instagram.com/p/Br6G63XBHCh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jaaaoh4ct4fr

Merry Christmas! I feel so blessed to have been able to spend this day with family! We may not all be blood related, but we were chosen for each other. The Crist family came into my life 2 years ago when a tragedy struck their family. Out of that came this amazing love. When Dre passed away, he was looking out for his family and we know he hand picked us for each other. 💙 Max has a wonderful day overlooking gifts, checking out his new squeakers, and napping under my new blanket, which has his and lexis faces on it. I also got a new @panthers jersey (@christianmccaffrey). The best present of all was giving the Crist family a stethoscope, so they could hear Dre on Christmas Day! ♻️ thank you Jia, Jace and Casey for coming to town, another day of fun tomorrow! I’m so glad Tiera could come join us today too! Family is who you choose!! #merrychristmas #cysticfibrosis #doublelungtransplant #thankyoudre #duke #cfirl #transplantirl #65roses #curecf #strength #choosejoy #cysticfibrosisfoundation #cff #webewarrior #forcehive #healthbeme #donatelife #fucf #organdonation #beanorgandonor #fightcf #chronicloveclub #untilitsdone #livelifegivelife https://www.instagram.com/p/Br1cDQmBns9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9u9ur29g0sqw

My little girl is really good at hiding. Whether it be under a pile of pillows, in her bedroom she’s taken over, in my closet, the shower, you name it... she’s hidden there. Besides hiding, she’s great at getting dirty, befriending other doodles, looking sad, and thinking she’s as small as her little brother Max. I’m so lucky she’s mine! I love my Lexington so much, the best DOGter I could ever ask for. Happy 6th Birthday! #lexidoodledoo #hbd #pollywalnuts https://www.instagram.com/p/Brq96IDhk5S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xglbbvx9dev2

These photos are one year apart. The photo on the left is a year out from transplant, battling rejection. Cystic Fibrosis affects the digestive system, it’s harder for those with CF to keep a healthy weight because the mucus blocks the absorption of necessary fats and nutrients. My mother was fully aware of this growing up and always threatened me with a feeding tube. Because of this, I always held the title of chubbiest CFer at my CF clinic. However, at my sickest, every calorie I would eat, my body would burn just trying to breathe. At transplant I was 86lbs. After my transplant, I was breathing with ease, yet continued on the eat 17 high calorie meals a day train. I quickly gained weight and got up to 150lbs. I remember sitting in my closet crying because my double zero jeans that were previously loose wouldn’t go past my calf. I knew I wasn’t healthy before, but I’m a woman and I still cared about what I looked like. I was so mad at myself for caring so much about my looks when I could breathe for the first time in my life. I decided that day, I needed to be healthy all around. The weight was weighing on my mind, as well as all my joints. I also had gotten diabetes and was experience numbing in my hands and feet. I started weight watchers that next day and started going to the gym. Within 6 months I had lost 20lbs and realized I loved the gym. I am now proudly at around 130lbs, and no longer have diabetes. I don’t want to be a size double zero. I don’t strive for a thigh gap. I strive to be healthy, and to live every day just as Dre would want me to. I am happy. I am healthy. I am living. And I owe it all to my mom, for telling me to get over myself and taking me shopping. To Wendy at Turn and Burn Fitness for giving me a home where I could work on my fitness and make friends. Thank you to those friends who pushed me at the gym, I love the friendships we have. And most of all, thanks to Dre, none of this would be possible. (at Turn & Burn Fitness) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrYhXwbBceW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vhimvbujj9ep