Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021

How to Make the Most of Summer Despite Pulmonary Fibrosis

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Following my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in 2016, I had many fears. As an avid traveler, my No. 1 fear was being put on supplemental oxygen and losing the ... Read more

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021

IPF and Ossification: Who Knew?

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

After my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, I was in denial about having the disease. So, I had a video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy in July 2014. The pathologist said my ... Read more

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

Disability Milestones Created a Painful Identity for My Mom

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

If I asked you to identify yourself, what would you say? “My name is …” “I am a …” “I work as a …” “I was born in …” There ... Read more

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021

Understanding the Relationship Between Asthma and Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

According to the Canadian Lung Association, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other common respiratory conditions. I have spoken with many IPF patients who ... Read more

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021

The Journey to Discovering My Human Superpowers

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

I just finished watching the episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in which Capt. Jean-Luc Picard was taken by the Borg. In one scene, the Borg turned him into ... Read more

June 3, 2021June 3, 2021

Where Do We Turn When Prescribed Therapies Aren’t Effective?

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Managing symptoms is an ongoing challenge for chronically ill patients. Whether they’re caused by an exacerbation, disease progression, or environmental factors, it’s often difficult for patients to get quick relief, ... Read more

June 1, 2021June 1, 2021

My Memories of Transplant Recovery: Hallucination and Defibrillator Paddles

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

When I write about my lung transplant, I honor my donor, for whom I am forever grateful. I didn’t know him, but I know he was a caring person. Last ... Read more

June 1, 2021June 1, 2021

Remembering My Mother, a Pillar on My Support Team

COVID-19 Columns, Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

One of the most important blessings in life is having a strong support group. A support team may consist of family members, friends, or a community of people. My support ... Read more

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021

Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun While Taking Immunosuppressants

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Progressive lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis cause ripple effects throughout the body. In PF, lung scarring prevents the organs from exchanging gases correctly, resulting in oxygen deficits known as hypoxemia ... Read more

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021

With Emergency Preparedness Plans, Communication Is Key

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

While you can’t predict an emergency, it helps to be prepared for one. Most young adults haven’t had to think about whom to notify during a medical emergency, but I ... Read more

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021

Navigating a Power Outage When You’re on an Oxygen Concentrator

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

My mom, Diana, relied on a plug-in oxygen machine to breathe, and the power was going to be shut off for days. This was back in the late summer of ... Read more

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021

The Power of PF Storytelling, and a Plea for Change

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

Stories have been a catalyst for conversation for centuries. Generations of families are often weaved together by the narrative of a loved one’s past, and by the stories that have ... Read more

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021

‘Stay Strong and Never Hide Your Illness’

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

I will celebrate my two-year diagnosis anniversary on Dec. 11. On this day, which changed my life forever, I was finally diagnosed with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. My head was spinning ... Read more

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021

Receiving My Diagnosis and Hopping on the IPF Roller Coaster

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

In 2014, I was living my life without a care in the world. Oh, I had a few health issues, but none that worried me at the time. Therefore, I ... Read more

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

Dear Survivors, We Can Do Better When It Comes to Sharing Our Stories

Pulmonary Fibrosis News Columns

When someone receives a life-changing diagnosis, it can feel like their world is caving in. A diagnosis changes a person’s landscape, alters their expectations, and obstructs their former worldview. Some ... Read more