Columns

While working on today’s column, I considered writing about my birthday on Oct. 4. Then, a topic came to me quite unexpectedly. On Monday, Sept. 26, I had to go to the hospital. Since the pandemic began, I’ve been careful to avoid large crowds in enclosed spaces and to…

As a child in elementary school, I once earned the top grade on a project about inspirational people in Canada. I was fascinated by what made them inspirational to others, whether it was a marathon for cancer research by the late Terry Fox or a wheelchair race for disability…

“While walking on the beach yesterday, I realized how I’m feeling about PF, in general, is like the tide. There are times like now that I’m riding the high tide, full of energy about taking on PF activities (hosting PF get-togethers, participating in fundraising walks). Then the water is gone,…

I’ve spent much of my working life conducting investigations. As a special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and in a second career providing security and investigative services under contract to the federal government, the cases all had similar objectives. Simply stated, any investigation needs to answer…

I wore a mask to protect myself from germs and viruses before it was required by the COVID-19 pandemic. After my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating and life-threatening respiratory disease, in April 2016, I now do everything I can to protect my lungs. Unfortunately, I…

Shortly after my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I spoke with my pulmonologist, Dr. Steven Nathan, about participating in research. One of the first projects I joined was the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Patient Registry. The PFF Patient Registry began following patients in 2016,…

I’ve been writing this column for almost six years. Throughout that time, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with other patients living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and life-threatening lung disease. While IPF is considered a rare disease, it doesn’t always feel that way given how many…

One of the more difficult parts of my journey has been remembering those I’ve met or learned of who’ve passed away from pulmonary fibrosis (PF). There are so many. It’s why we must all move forward in pursuit of treatments and a cure. The pulmonary fibrosis community must…

During my pulmonary fibrosis journey, I learned that one of the best things I could do for myself was to become an active voice on my care team. As a patient diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) more than five years ago, I wanted to know more about this…

By definition, a progressive illness is one that worsens over time. When I was diagnosed in 2016 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a life-threatening and progressive lung disease, I was told by a pulmonologist that simple tasks would become difficult as the fibrosis in my lungs worsened. Before IPF,…