Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021

Why September Is Hard for Me as an IPF Patient

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

As a patient living with a chronic illness, I’ve become comfortable with people using clichés to try to comfort me. People naturally want to relate to others, but it’s often ... Read more

September 14, 2021September 14, 2021

My Theory on How I Developed IPF

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with dendriform ossification in 2014, it was the second time I had a medical condition with an unknown cause. Three years earlier, ... Read more

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021

Knowledge Is Power: A Recipe for Healthier Days

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

I am finally on the road to a better understanding of my disease, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP), and the course it’s taken throughout my life. In my previous column, I ... Read more

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021

Choosing Friends Who Support Healthy Habits as an IPF Patient

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Like with all chronic illnesses, patients living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a lot to contend with. Although IPF is a progressive and life-threatening lung disease, the physical challenges ... Read more

August 31, 2021August 31, 2021

My Wife Shares Her PF Story

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

When I volunteered to coordinate the Pulmonary Fibrosis News initiative “30 Days of PF” alongside fellow columnist Charlene Marshall, I didn’t expect a tremendously emotional experience. I asked my wife, Dana, ... Read more

August 27, 2021August 27, 2021

Medical Interventions, Implants, and Elective Surgeries Post-transplant

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

When doctors discuss the costs and benefits of getting a lung transplant, they often talk about the lifelong use of immunosuppressants. These medications can have a wide range of side ... Read more

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021

Let’s Raise Awareness by Sharing Our Stories This September

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

As we head into the last week of August, summer has been flying by, kids are heading back to school, and fall will soon be upon us. I love the ... Read more

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

The Healing Powers of Joyful Distraction

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

As I write this, my parents, Diana and Jack, are likely hearing muffled morning sounds from the guest room down the hall. Hard whispers from 4-year-old Jack, tired groans from ... Read more

August 24, 2021August 24, 2021

Seeking a Better Understanding of My Rare Disease

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

I am an advocate for my rare disease, but I still can’t describe it. Several weeks ago, I went to the dentist with my husband. It was a hot and ... Read more

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021

Measuring My Improvement in the Year After Transplant

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

I received my new lungs a year ago, on Aug. 14, 2020. Now it’s time for me to reflect on my quality of life. Initially, I evaluated my progress by ... Read more

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021

Adapting and Moving Through Tough Days

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

In March 2019, my mom, Holly, got a second chance at life. Her bilateral lung transplant was a gift of the highest order. It saved and prolonged her life when ... Read more

August 12, 2021August 12, 2021

Pulmonary Fibrosis Alters the Trajectory of Our Lives

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Many significant milestones in life occur during young adulthood. Some may buy their first home, get married, and start a family, which is a typical trajectory. Unfortunately, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ... Read more

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021

Researching My Illness: Learning to Let Go and Trust My Physician

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

As a research sociologist, my goal is to research anything and everything I need answers to. I often become so preoccupied with this search that it becomes an obsession. Many ... Read more

August 5, 2021August 5, 2021

Controversial Conversations: A Chronically Ill Patient’s Perspective

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Controversial conversations are never easy to navigate, regardless of age or experience, especially when engaging with people you love. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of controversial conversations ... Read more

July 30, 2021July 30, 2021

How to Make Your Event Safer for Vulnerable Guests

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

As soon as my mom, Holly, was out of the hospital following her bilateral lung transplant, our family began efforts to protect her immunocompromised body. Before she even got the ... Read more