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.It’s true what they say about life being unpredictable, and those living with a chronic illness know this better than anyone. Since my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) nearly three years ago, I have faced many uncertain times. And though I’m aware of the fickle nature of…
Relationships make the world go round, and connection with others is an essential part of our human existence. These range from the intimate ties between spouses to the close bonds between parents and children, siblings, and grandparents. Friendships and relationships with co-workers are also important in our…
I have never really believed in the importance of making New Year’s resolutions. That’s because I think people can choose to better themselves through personal goals or resolutions at any point in the year, not just when the calendar flips. I like thinking about what I’d like to…
So, here it is: the last of my gratitude miniseries columns for 2018. As I write this, tonight is New Year’s Eve, and I am looking forward to spending it reading each of these columns and reflecting on what a great year it has been. While many…
It’s no secret that life-threatening illnesses are overwhelming. Suddenly, patients must try to understand a flood of unfamiliar information, accept psychological and physical changes, and manage numerous appointments. Due to all of that, it is essential that patients find effective coping strategies. This is not something I’ve perfected,…
When I set out to establish a career some years ago, I couldn’t have foreseen that many of the skills that set me apart as a desirable employee would eventually be lost to a fatal illness. Unfortunately, this is now my reality as I continue my battle with…
Most of society thinks of grief in the context of a loved one’s death. However, people with chronic illness grieve other things as well, such as personal losses inflicted by disease. Since my 2016 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, I have become increasingly aware of the things I’ve…
With the holiday season upon us, the social gatherings have begun. An unofficial start to the holidays for me is attending my family Christmas dinner, which occurs on the last Saturday of November. Our extended family is too large to bring everyone together in December, so we…
With November coming to a close, I look forward to sharing with you the things I am grateful for as part of my continuing miniseries on gratitude. As I turn over my calendar to December, I can’t help but smile as I reflect on all the great things…
When I was growing up, friends, family members, and teachers would tease me about my “fear of missing out” on opportunities. This was because I rarely turned down the chance to try something new. As I got a little older, I often committed to more than I could…
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