Charlene is a fiercely independent 30-something year-old who can’t sit still. She loves coffee, wine tasting, playing with her dog, and spending time on the beach with her family. She’s a lover of all things travel, and never passes up an opportunity for a dip in the ocean! A proud Canadian, Charlene was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2016 after 13 months of investigation into sudden shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and unusual fatigue. IPF has forced her to slow down, but she’s slowly learning the value of quality versus quantity in everything she does.The dry, persistent cough associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is arguably the most difficult symptom of this life-threatening lung disease. Pulmonary fibrosis is defined simply as scarring in the lung, which always is progressive in patients with IPF. Unfortunately, there is nothing simple about this disease, and the scarring…
As a person living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic respiratory condition characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs and reduced oxygen, I’ve been wearing a mask for years in public places. Learning to wear a mask to protect my now-compromised lungs was difficult for me, so I…
As parts of the world begin to partially open up again amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but feel fearful and anxious. Those of us with chronic respiratory illnesses like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) must regularly take precautions to avoid getting sick throughout the entire year. However, the…
I have always advocated for good mental health and promoted the importance of self-care. I preach regularly about this to friends, family, colleagues, and other patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Since being diagnosed with this life-threatening lung disease, my physical health has been a priority. I do…
As I continue to recover from an acute health setback I wrote about earlier this month, I’ve been seeking ways to prioritize and improve my mental health. While I’m not completely alone, it has been tough to remain indoors and away from the many people I love, especially as…
I write a lot about the importance of person-first language and illuminating the identities that make me who I am. I often point out that my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is just one part of me. In narrative therapy, we call these our preferred identities, a…
Many Pulmonary Fibrosis News readers know that during the last few months, I have had several acute illnesses. As a patient living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a life-threatening lung disease, I ended up quite sick as a result. Since mid-November, I have been recovering from pneumonia, influenza A, strep…
Last week I wrote a column about energy expenditures and how I choose where to invest my energy in the multiple tasks vying for my attention. Unfortunately, since being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) four years ago, I just can’t give everything the energy I’d like. As a…
Learning how to balance personal tasks with my health needs has been a difficult lesson since my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It’s something I have not yet mastered. Previously, I sought recommendations from my healthcare team about how to do this better. They encouraged me to think of…
I am taking a deep breath as I announce to my beloved online community the following: I have COVID-19. I also have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Until now, I thought this combination would be fatal, but I am here to tell you that this isn’t necessarily true. I’m a fairly…
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