Columns

When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2017, I soon learned the cause and cure were mysteries yet to be solved. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to solve a mystery. Difficult, but seldom impossible. I worked my first career as a special…

The arrival of spring here in Virginia is both a blessing and a curse. Despite the improved weather, I think of it as pollen and mold season. As a longtime sufferer of seasonal allergies, I don’t need the gentle yellow-green tint on vehicles and patio furniture to remind me to…

Are you angry? If so, who are you angry with and why? I follow a number of social media groups associated with different rare disease communities. Lately, it seems that people are angry with the very groups advocating on their behalf. I must admit, that intrigues me a bit. When…

Stepping outside of our comfort zone can be an intimidating endeavor. But life often presents us with situations that require us to venture beyond what we’re used to. As I prepare for my first trip away from home since my pulmonary fibrosis (PF) diagnosis four years ago, I find…

“It is only because of your generous gift of life that I am here. This is the hardest letter I have ever composed. Trying to capture the full range of emotions in a single letter to say thank you is more difficult than I imagined.” These are the words that…

Last month, I wrote about my constant battle with lung infections. As a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and life-threatening lung disease, I think the condition’s physical manifestations are obvious: respiratory viruses, shortness of breath, and a dry cough. But IPF has implications…

In last week’s column, I wrote about the preparations required for my first international vacation since 2019. Since I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017 and received a bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, many aspects of my life have changed. The most…

My wife, Susan, and I have traveled around the world by trains, planes, ships, and automobiles finding new adventures. We are now in Amsterdam — our first international trip since 2019. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, my care team encouraged me…

Do you have pets? If so, have they been good companions? Following my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I faced periods of loneliness and isolation. That was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. My wife, Susan, has always been a cat person, while…

Five years ago today, the phone rang early in the morning. “We have lungs,” the voice on the other end announced. The first words I heard that day were months in the making. My mom, Holly, had been in the intensive care unit for almost 12 weeks following an…