I’ve always been guilty of putting too much pressure on myself. While I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) five years ago, I still haven’t learned how to slow down and avoid putting so much pressure on myself. This is despite the disease causing me extreme fatigue, breathlessness,…
Living with IPF — a column by Charlene Marshall
It was around this time last year that some people began to envision what life might be like after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. While the first COVID-19 vaccination wasn’t officially administered until last December, talk about the jab was on the horizon last fall. That’s what prompted some to…
A patient’s relationship with their physician can factor heavily in how the patient views healthcare. A relationship that inspires comfort, confidence, and trust is one to cherish. My pulmonologist announced recently that he is retiring, and I’m feeling a mixed bag of emotions about the news. As a patient with…
Every October, numerous causes host an awareness month. For instance, you are likely aware that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thanks to widespread campaigns, pink ribbons have been popping up everywhere in my city and on virtual platforms like Facebook. A lesser-known but significant awareness month also occurs in…
Friendships can change when chronic illnesses like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) enter the picture. Some might struggle to understand a friend’s illness, needs, and limitations. And the friend with the illness might change too, depending on how they cope. However, I believe true friendships can withstand these challenges, and even…
As a patient living with a chronic illness, I’ve become comfortable with people using clichés to try to comfort me. People naturally want to relate to others, but it’s often hard for someone who’s healthy to understand the experiences of a young adult who requires oxygen to breathe. One cliché…
Like with all chronic illnesses, patients living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a lot to contend with. Although IPF is a progressive and life-threatening lung disease, the physical challenges it presents, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and cough, are often not the most difficult aspect. At least,…
As we head into the last week of August, summer has been flying by, kids are heading back to school, and fall will soon be upon us. I love the cooler weather that fall brings, as I’ve found it’s been harder to breathe in the heat and humidity of…
Many significant milestones in life occur during young adulthood. Some may buy their first home, get married, and start a family, which is a typical trajectory. Unfortunately, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and fatal lung disease, doesn’t care about typical trajectories. It unapologetically interferes with the lives of patients…
Controversial conversations are never easy to navigate, regardless of age or experience, especially when engaging with people you love. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of controversial conversations has increased, and the reactions to conflicting opinions have intensified. Social media disputes are often crass, cruel, and filled…
