Three years ago, my life looked very different than it does today. I was at the apex of getting my affairs in order. I was diagnosed in January 2017 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is a chronic, progressive, and incurable lung disease. I still recall my doctor,…
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“They’re here!” Much like the scenes in movies where grandparents see their grandchildren arriving, I shouted those words on Father’s Day to let my wife, Susan, know it was game time. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, there were things I hadn’t…
I love to travel, and I’m grateful I can still do it. Despite the limitations caused by my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), travel sets my soul on fire and provides me with many reminders about the beauty of being alive. Back in January, I wrote about relating more…
I spent last week childproofing my home. No, my wife, Susan, and I aren’t expecting. Our granddaughters, Abigail and Charlotte, are coming with my son Christopher for a visit to our home. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, there were no grandchildren…
I recently read a social media post from a patient who uses supplemental oxygen. They said they were unable to alert a family member in a neighboring room when the power went out, causing their oxygen to stop. Someone commented that if the patient had been on only 3 liters…
Keeping up with a regular exercise routine and a healthy diet can be hard as we get older. Between our career, family commitments, and social obligations, finding time for these habits tends to be challenging. Still, maintaining a healthy weight is important for our overall health, and may even…
I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, at age 59, and received a bilateral lung transplant in July 2021. During a visit last week, my adult daughter Heather asked me a perplexing question: “Is the IPF gone now that you have new lungs?”…
When idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients experience a worsening of symptoms, it’s often called an exacerbation. I didn’t know it at the time, but my diagnosis with IPF in January 2017 started me on an educational journey. My vocabulary was going to expand to include new…
There’s an Instagram account called “iwastodayyearsold_” (I was today years old) dedicated to sharing unusual discoveries people cannot believe they missed until now. Some of the information is insightful and makes me think, “How could I not have known that?” What if there were a similar resource for…
Music has always played a significant role in my life. From childhood choir performances to playing the trumpet in school bands, melodies have been a constant source of joy, solace, and self-expression. Despite the challenges posed by my pulmonary fibrosis (PF), music remains a trusty companion, offering a therapeutic…
