Posts by: Mark Koziol

Mark Koziol

Mark is a survivor of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and had a single-lung transplant at Cleveland Clinic. He is a former educator and now shares his transplant journey with the readers of Pulmonary Fibrosis News. Mark resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and is an avid sports fan supporting the professional teams in Cleveland. Mark has not let his diagnosis curb his enthusiasm for life.

April 30, 2020July 13, 2020

Why I’m Feeling Grateful During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Columns, Covid-19, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

Self-isolation has become a form of survival for those with pulmonary fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am a single-lung transplant recipient and have a compromised immune system. COVID-19 can ... Read more

March 12, 2020March 10, 2020

For Pulmonary Rehab Week, an Exercise Physiologist Shares Her Perspective

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

This week, March 8-14, is National Pulmonary Rehab Week. As a pulmonary fibrosis and single-lung transplant patient, I vow to promote pulmonary rehab awareness on behalf of my fellow Pulmonary ... Read more

March 5, 2020March 11, 2020

Coughing Is My Most Feared IPF Symptom

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

Recently, a topic in the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums called “fits of cough” caught my attention. Reflecting on the topic brought back vivid memories of my own experience with coughing ... Read more

February 27, 2020February 26, 2020

Am I Doing Enough to Bring Awareness to My Rare Diseases?

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

Rare Disease Day takes place on Feb. 29. BioNews Services, the parent company of this website, has taken on this initiative in an all-out effort to bring awareness to rare ... Read more

February 13, 2020February 12, 2020

Living Life in Incremental Steps: Sports, Cleveland, and Happiness

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

After a lung transplant, a patient should not partake in some tasks or continue with certain behaviors. For example, I used to love to do yardwork, such as gardening and ... Read more

January 23, 2020January 21, 2020

On Some Days, I Feel Invincible

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

At my last doctor’s appointment, my physician asked me how I felt. I replied, “Some days, I feel invincible.” She gave me the biggest smile and told me how happy ... Read more

January 9, 2020January 7, 2020

This Holiday Season Brought Bittersweet Memories

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

I enjoy the holiday season, especially Christmas celebrations. As my siblings and other family members were born in Poland — I am the only one born in the U.S. — ... Read more

December 5, 2019December 3, 2019

I’m Grateful to Celebrate My Fourth ‘Lungiversary’

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

Thanksgiving is over, but my feeling of gratitude remains. As a single-lung transplant recipient, the holiday is a time for me to contemplate the tremendous gift given to me on ... Read more

November 14, 2019November 12, 2019

Despite Breathing Issues, I’m Grateful for a Visit with My Niece

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

In 2014, before I received an official diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I attended the wedding of my niece, Stefania, in Breckenridge, Colorado. The town’s elevation is 9,600 feet. Although ... Read more

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019

Q&A with a Pulmonologist: What IPF Patients Want to Know

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

After my single-lung transplant in December 2015, I was invited to participate in a panel of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung transplant patients who had previously taken the anti-fibrotic ... Read more