Orla Tinsley: I’m looking forward to making it into the 15% of people with cystic fibrosis over the age of 40

“Do you even lift, bruh?” is not a line you might think would afflict the post-transplant miracle aftermath but it turns out, it’s pretty important.

I do, bruh, but in the beginning it was kind of like how a tiny ant tries to lift an almond. A small item to most but kind of a world to the ant. Since graduating to say, walnut-sized weights, things feel better.

Surprisingly, the muscle memory returns - and this is after a substantial few years of calcium being sucked out of the bones through the process of dialysis for end stage kidney failure which in turn accelerated bone density loss and frequent bone breakage. The muscle itself builds quickly and within a week or so lifting becomes second nature. The feet, once fumbled and falling because of gruelling treatment, find a way to feel rooted again.

Suddenly, I can lift groceries without any kind of concern about not making it from the car to my front door. Perha...
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