Riding the IPF Roller Coaster
— Kevin Olson

In my previous column, I described the roller-coaster ride of my lung transplant evaluation. On Aug. 7, 2020, six years after my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I was officially placed on the transplant list. Waiting for the call Waiting for the call was both breathtaking…

In May 2017, I began the roller coaster ride that was my lung transplant evaluation. I call it this because it had the usual climbs of positive developments, and the fast and dramatic drops. But it also had terrifying twists and turns, and unexpected events, which left me frustrated…

When I learned that the prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients is about five years after diagnosis, I started wondering how my disease would progress. I didn’t think my progression would follow the usual, defined stages. I believed I would have an acute exacerbation and go directly from diagnosis…

The dynamic between an ill person and the loved ones who care for them should extend beyond the caregiver providing and the sick person receiving. The relationship should go two ways — thus, a care partnership. I define a care partner based on a presentation given at the Pulmonary…

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, I developed blood clots and had two pulmonary embolisms. Again, a reason for them couldn’t be determined. These unknown…

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, to write her pulmonary fibrosis (PF) story for this program. She had difficulty covering seven years in 400 words,…

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 how long I stayed in the hospital. Unfortunately, I failed my goal to leave the hospital at the two-week mark…

On Aug. 14, 2020, around 10 p.m., my successful lung transplant was completed. Now I was in the daunting recovery phase. Before being discharged from the hospital, I had to meet three requirements: Walk 1,000 feet without supplemental oxygen. Walk continuously on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Have all my…

In February of 2016, I joined the Greater Kansas City Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. As I attended more meetings, I realized PF awareness was important, and I wanted to make a difference. Because I had a unique case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with ossification that excluded me from…

A couple weeks ago, my good friend Bert Maidment and I completed the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb, an annual fundraising event. I had never before competed in an event like this. I’m not a runner or even a walker. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic adventure.

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 diagnosis was “fibrosing and interstitial…