Caitlin Jones

My name is Caitlin Jones and I was diagnosed with CF at 18 months — the current age of my son, Reece. The range of emotions brought up just by typing “my son” is indescribable, but I’m going to try.

First, disbelief: I lived much of my life suppressing thoughts of the future. To this day, I take one day, week or month at a time. Planning ahead any more than that is often pointless, as life with CF is unpredictable. Having a family is not something I ever believed would be in the cards for me, but I still hoped for that miracle. Even after 18 months, some days the fact that I am a mom to the most perfect little boy does not seem real. 

Next, gratitude: As difficult as it is to be chronically ill, it gives me a deep appreciation of the special things in life. I have the most supportive husband, family and friends and I will never take that for granted. I received a double lung transplant from a selfless anonymous donor in 2016 and a kidney transplant from my amazing aunt just last year. Not many people know how it feels to receive the gift of life three times before they turn 40! Although I wouldn’t wish CF on anyone, it would be nice if each of you could feel the compassion and generosity it brings out in the people around you, both family and strangers alike. That unwavering support has gotten me to where I am, ultimately allowing me the honor of becoming a mother. Despite its challenges, I could not be more grateful for this life. 

Finally, hope: I don’t plan. I hope. I hoped to graduate high school, then college. I hoped to get a good job. I hoped to get married. Then I hoped to become a mom. There have been many times throughout my life with CF that could have broken me and my family. Each of those times, together we hoped that everything would be alright. So far, that hope has brought me everything I could ask for.

We can’t fight without hope. We can’t survive without it. So we cling to it like our lives depend on it.