A Journey with Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes

Mary Beth Sallee

Managing Editor

Hart Co. News-Herald

 

By the time most children learn to walk, Adli Richardson was already learning how to survive.

Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at just six months old, Adli’s life began with challenges most people never face. Yet as she reflects on her childhood and her health today, she does so with honesty and gratitude.

Adli described the foundation she has relied on since the beginning as being one of faith.

“…Life has never been easy, but with the Lord behind me, my life has been manageable,” Adli shared. “As long as I take care of myself and take my medication like I should, life is as normal as it can be.”

With being diagnosed with CF at an early age, doctors prepared Adli’s family early for the road ahead. CF alone was already a lifelong battle, but her care team warned that another diagnosis would likely follow as she grew older.

“Cystic Fibrosis was the first diagnosis. but the doctors told my mom and dad that around the age 10 or 11, I would most likely develop what’s called Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes,” Adli said. “I was officially diagnosed at the age of 11.”

Her early childhood became a cycle of hospitals and long nights of uncertainty.

“My life has definitely had some ups and downs,” Adli said. “After I was diagnosed I spent the first few years of my life in and out of the hospital, and some days the doctors really didn’t know if I would make it just because of how sick I was. But with time, medication, and the Lord providing it all, I finally was able to come home and have somewhat of a healthy life.”

Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes (CFRD) doesn’t fit neatly into the typical categories of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

“CFRD is pretty different from the normal diabetes,” Adli explained. “I have type 1 and 2 diabetes, and the reason behind that is my pancreas works but because I have so much mucus in my body, it blocks it and causes blockages in my pancreas and doesn’t allow the insulin from my body to function right.”

For Adli, the routine is a mix of dietary awareness, insulin injections, and self-monitoring.

“My day-to-day routine and management is pretty simple actually because I don’t have to wear a pump or a continuous glucose monitor,” Adli said. “I just watch what I eat and watch my sugar and give myself shots at nighttime and during the day if needed.”

But routine doesn’t completely erase exhaustion, especially when every meal and every day requires careful consideration.

“Some days are harder then others because (of me) having to take medication before I eat every meal to help digest my food and watching my sugar everyday,” Adli said. “There is no ‘rest days’ or ‘off days’ for CF and diabetes, so it can get pretty exhausting at times, but I’m also very blessed to be as healthy as I can be considering all my health issues.”

Worry, stress, and burnout associated with the constant monitoring of her health issues can sometimes feel like a burden for Adli.

“I’d say the most difficult part is just the aggravation of the constant worrying ‘Is my sugar is to high or to low?’ or ‘Did I remember to take my enzymes before I ate something?’” she said. “…I most definitely have the feeling of being burnt out from the everyday and constant stress to remember to do everything I’m supposed to and take all my medication.”

However, support from others has shaped Adli’s outlook on life.

“My wonderful husband and family and friends have always made my life better because they don’t treat me like I’m some fragile thing considering all my health problems,” Adli said. “They are also aware of my health, and if I ever need something, they are always there.”

With transparency, Adli addressed one of the most persistent misconceptions she hears regarding her health.

“The most misconception of diabetes is that people will constantly say ‘Did you get that because you ate to much sugar?’ and it can honestly be frustrating at times because diabetes is different for every single person that has it,” Adli said. “And no, you can’t develop diabetes from eating to much sugar.”

For those newly diagnosed with diabetes, Adli offers encouragement.

“If you are recently diagnosed with diabetes, it’s definitely not a fun thing to hear, but it’s manageable, especially if you take your insulin like you should and just watch what you eat,” she said.

Adli’s story is not defined by any health issues she has faced in the past present or may face in the future. Instead, it is a story guided first and foremost by faith – and also modern medicine.

“My journey hasn’t always been easy and it will never be easy, but I have always heard of the Lord and was brought up in church,” Adli said. “After I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my life felt like I could get through battles and storms a lot easier. He has made it possible to live a normal life by guiding me the way I’m supposed to. On December 25^th, 2020, I received a medication called Trikafta. It’s not a cure, but I like to call it a miracle drug because I have always had trouble with my stomach – and of course my lungs – but after I got on that medication, I was actually able to come off about half of what I have been on my whole life. So, with Jesus all things are possible, and He will definitely move mountains as long as you accept him. Life is short, so make the best of it and just be happy.”

Through the storms, Adli has also found joy – a joy that comes from seeing her childhood dreams materialize.

“My dream job when I was a kid was to become a hairdresser like my mama and grandma,” Adli shared. “Well, that dream is a reality for me now. And my life isn’t perfect, but I’m so happy to have the life I do. I got to marry my best friend on 10-19-24, and we have a beautiful life and home together. I’m working my dream job and living my dream life that I constantly prayed for.”

For Adli Richardson, life with cystic fibrosis and diabetes is not defined by symptoms, doctor visits, or any limitations. Instead, it is defined by resilience, faith, and a determination to build a life she loves – one day, one breath, one step at a time.