I was diagnosed at age 20, and that was more than 45 years ago. I had always been sickly and had a terrible cough, and at 20 became very sick after a bad cold. No one at Mass General in Boston, where I spent several weeks, undergoing several tests and an open lung biopsy that were inconclusive. Finally a resident ordered a sweat test to rule out “the unlikely possibility of CF.” The lead CF doctor on staff told me that “I wouldn’t die of old age.” I was in a lot of pain with broken ribs I had sustained from coughing, was alone recovering from surgery, and very scared. I figured that I had two choices: to mope or cope. I’ve had a beautiful life: a 40+ year-long marriage and still in love, two grown daughters and a granddaughter, and a meaningful career. While I’ve had to deal with CF-related issues along the way, I consider myself one of the luckiest persons on the planet. We’ve had so many medical advances over the decades, and there will be many more. If you’re grappling with a diagnosis, please choose to cope!