Kim Fredrickson was an Author, Blogger and Marriage and Family Therapist. She lived in Northern CA, with her husband of 40 years and had 2 adult children. Kim was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in May 2014, as a rare complication from chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. Kim is the author of Pulmonary Fibrosis Journey: A Counselor and Fellow Patient Walks with You, The Power of Positive Self-Talk, and Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children. Kim believed that learning to advocate for yourself with kindness and compassion, just as you would for a good friend, makes this difficult journey a little easier. In her patient column on Pulmonary Fibrosis News, she offered practical ideas to help us care for ourselves, fight for what we need, and process our many-layered emotions. Kim passed away in 2019, but her inspirational work advocating for the IPF community continues to inspire and endure.
Read more of Kim’s writing at www.kimfredrickson.com
Part of facing that I have a terminal illness involves putting my financial affairs in order. I don’t want to leave my husband and adult children with the burden of having to sort out financial problems when I pass away. They will have too much to deal…
 Two months ago, I took a bold step to ask for help My husband and I had just returned from a trip to southern California to visit our family. We drove the 800-mile round trip, breaking it up into 200 miles per day because I get so exhausted…
The best thing about the pulmonary fibrosis community Over the last seven months of writing this column, I’ve learned that pulmonary fibrosis patients are brave, kind and supportive to one another. This is also true of their caregivers. I love watching our community develop as we share…
I try to stay positive while also being realistic about the hardships that go with using supplemental oxygen 24/7. But this week I’m irritated and worn-out from the hassles I deal with daily. Here’s me being real. I’m tired of: Having to fight with my insurance and…
I started noticing a change in my vision about a year ago. I’ve had the same prescription for glasses and contact lenses for 20 years. I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis almost three years ago, and didn’t notice any changes in my vision for…
After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, I resisted seeing myself as disabled. My disease progressed quickly, and within two months I needed to use supplemental oxygen whenever I moved around. I used a portable oxygen concentrator in my work as a marriage and family counselor, even though it…
Last week, I shared my thoughts about different oxygen options to use at home. This week, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned about different types of portable oxygen possibilities to use away from home. The suggestions I’m sharing are based on my own experience, and I…
Over the last two-plus years I have become an unwilling expert on the ins and outs of supplemental oxygen. When I started using supplemental oxygen I knew next to nothing and found it very hard to get the help and information I needed. I’ve learned a lot and…
I still remember the day I found out I needed to use supplemental oxygen. It was June 2014. I had gone to a follow-up appointment with my pulmonologist after he prescribed a six-week course of prednisone to reduce inflammation in my lungs. My lungs were harmed by…
I just took a bold step to ask for help I have a big goal that really matters to me. Our son is getting married in a little less than two months. We love his fiancé and are thrilled about their wedding.
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