Make Every Breath Count – a Column by Samuel Kirton

During an appointment at my clinic shortly after my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis a few years ago, I had a conversation with my pulmonologist about clinical trials. That discussion led to my personal commitment to support research as much as possible. The conversation ended with a simple…

I’ve found myself daydreaming lately about a return to normal. I long for the days when we didn’t need face masks, when I could see someone’s smile during a conversation, and when hand sanitizer wasn’t the most frequent smell I encountered. Most people who know me would describe me as…

“Every day is a new adventure!” This is often my response when someone asks how I’m doing. It also seems appropriate when looking forward to what 2022 may hold for me. I faithfully use my calendar to keep track of many tasks, both professional and personal. Before I was…

I thought I understood the role of a caregiver. It was based on what I learned and observed watching others. It turns out I did not fully appreciate the role until I had a caregiver. The role of the caregiver is not a single responsibility, but a collection of…

Along this journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, my care team has had several different tools at their disposal. Some must be used in combination with others, while some are only used to gather information. Pulmonary rehabilitation, which can be deployed both pre- and post-transplant, falls under both…

Welcome to my new column, “Make Every Breath Count.” Before I started writing it, I thought about what readers might want to know about me and why I’m writing this column. What details would make them want to continue reading? It all started with a cough. In the fall of…