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.When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) three years ago, I had never heard of the disease. I was told that it was rare. Even rarer, my doctors said, was my diagnosis at 28. They had considered IPF when first looking for answers for my breathlessness,…
The world is a different place than it was a decade ago, especially in the realm of technology and social media. Smart devices track daily tasks, remind users to complete to-do lists, help with budgeting, and navigate driving routes. There are a number of ways technology can help patients…
I am slowly emerging following several weeks of hospital visits and confinement to bed. I’ve been extremely weak and unable to eat thanks to bacterial pneumonia and the influenza virus. Either of these illnesses alone is enough to kill a patient living with a chronic lung disease such as idiopathic…
I love Christmas and all that comes with it: the lights, music, decorations, parades, and Christmas trees. But I know that the season is a stressful and lonely time for some people. Christmas isn’t for everyone. This especially can be true for families facing hardships, or those who are spending…
Healthy eating is a popular topic on the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums. Members discuss their attempts to promote optimal pulmonary wellness by improving their eating habits. They also share what foods they avoid because of side effects and what foods help them feel better. Someone once said, “Eat…
Cold and flu season begins in October and peaks between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We’re in the midst of the season, and I feel under pressure to do everything I can to remain as healthy as possible. Those of us who…
When learning to live with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), mental health is an elephant in the room. Too often, it is ignored. Although it is becoming more prevalent among hospital care plans, it needs to be discussed more frequently. Learning to live with IPF has been the hardest thing…
I am home safe and sound after a whirlwind three days at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Summit in San Antonio. In a previous column, I wrote about why I was looking forward to attending the summit. Being among other PF patients and their caregivers was beneficial in…
When I engage with the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community online, I frequently hear about the difficulties of living with an invisible illness. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to convey my experience of living with this chronic lung condition, which is characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs, shortness…
We all know about the benefits of exercise and try our best to incorporate it into our lives. While engaging in physical activity is difficult when living with a chronic lung condition, doctors and physical therapists recommend that those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) stay as active as possible.
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