From body image to gut symptoms: what we learned from season four of our podcast

You will know by now that I love to talk about my life with cystic fibrosis and with other people from the CF community – and this season was no different. I have really enjoyed the variety of people, and the variety of topics that we have tackled. 

This podcast is so important as people living with CF cannot mix due to cross infection, so these extended, informal conversations feel like you are in the room together. When people message me about the podcast, the main thing they say is, “Listening to you talk to others with CF makes me feel less isolated and alone and that what I am experiencing day to day is similar to others with CF.” 

When you cannot meet each other, it can be hard to know what other people experience and feel and so that was my aim with the topics we explored this season and the interviews that I carried out.

As always, everyone is so different and if you have any questions for any episodes of the podcast, you can get in touch with the Trust's Helpline. 

I learnt a lot this season about symptoms that people with CF struggle with day to day, not just physical, but also emotional. With body image and self-esteem, I understood the complex challenges that people have and discussed some coping strategies to help navigate those feelings. 

Of course, we also discussed physical symptoms including gut symptoms, which I suffer from, but until this interview, I did not realise how common they were. It was reassuring to know that it is a wider issue and that there is research looking into why gut symptoms occur. 

I also learnt about how CF diabetes is totally different to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as the underlying cause is different. Having to deal with it on top of CF also brings many extra challenges. 

We know that living with CF means we have other life admin to also manage. For example, finances – making sure our homes are warm enough and we have plenty to eat. With the cost-of-living crisis, I put your questions to Rachel Moore, Welfare Officer at the Trust, who discussed practical tips and savvy ways to reduce household bills. 

And we also discussed a topic that I absolutely love – travel! I have recently come back from a trip of a lifetime to South West America, visiting the National Parks like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley – as well as the hottest place on earth – Death Valley! In the travel episode, I spoke to Ryan, another travel enthusiast, as well as Matthew from the Trust's Helpline, who provided some top tips for travelling with CF. 

And finally, there was some celebrity star dust sprinkled in this season with our CF Week special with supporter and actor Vincent Franklin. What came across clearly is his passion for the CF community and how he is still learning, like we all are, about the condition and how it affects every aspect of our lives.

Speaking to people from the CF community, as well as researchers and health professionals, is such a privilege to do. Looking forward to Season 5 – stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled!