Breathe

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Notes

¹ “Farrah” is not a pseudonym. Her parents and husband gave me permission to use her name, knowing that Farrah would be ecstatic to tell her story. “Dannie,” “Rachel,” “Amy,” “Jim,” and “Tony” are pseudonyms.

² Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting, genetic disorder that causes thick mucus to “clog” the digestive and respiratory tracts. In the lungs, the mucus traps bacteria, resulting in severe lung infections and compromised respiratory function.

³ PICC is an acronym for “peripherally inserted central catheter.” It is inserted into a vein in the arm, allowing continued access for drawing blood and administering IV antibiotics.

⁴ Dannie died in 2005. Rachel died in 2004.

⁵ Dannie initially intended the collage to be a personal message to Farrah. After Farrah died, Dannie wanted it to be hung on the pulmonology floor in Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. It stayed there for several months.