Columns

September 26, 2019September 24, 2019

Grief and Chronic Illness: Remembering My Friend, Serena Lawrence

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

I’m sure that you’re familiar with the saying, “Time heals all things.” I don’t believe this is true of the grieving process. A year ago, I was texting with ... Read more

September 19, 2019September 17, 2019

Household Hazards That PF Patients Should Avoid

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

I’ll never forget the day I was diagnosed with a terminal illness. After months of shortness of breath, a dry, chronic cough, and unusual fatigue, I finally sought an ... Read more

September 16, 2019September 18, 2019

Managing Medication as a Patient with PF

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

Patients living with a chronic illness must learn quickly to manage their medication. Access to the right treatment can be a matter of life or death, especially when talking ... Read more

September 13, 2019September 19, 2019

Co-caregivers: Remember You’re on the Same Team

Columns, Courage to Care - a column by Christie Patient

Last week, I wrote about the benefits of having multiple caregivers during my mom’s recovery from a double-lung transplant. My dad, Aunt Shari, and I shared the responsibilities so ... Read more

September 12, 2019September 25, 2019

Spread the Word: September Is PF Awareness Month

Columns, Gonna Live My Life by Mark Koziol

A large number of people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) were unaware this disease even existed before they were diagnosed. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in December ... Read more

September 12, 2019September 10, 2019

Protecting Yourself from Secondhand Smoke

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

I want to increase awareness about the impact on those of us with lung disease when people smoke in public places. Since being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), ... Read more

September 9, 2019September 11, 2019

Deciding Whether to Have Children When Chronic Illness Is a Factor

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

I feel vulnerable writing about this topic, but if this column opens the door for conversation, my discomfort will be worth it. I recently had a conversation with one ... Read more

September 6, 2019September 4, 2019

Our Caregiving Team of 3 Offered Many Benefits for Mom’s Recovery

Columns, Courage to Care - a column by Christie Patient

Before my mom had a double-lung transplant, my dad was her only caregiver. Holly, my mom, was reasonably independent until a couple of months before being admitted to the ... Read more

September 5, 2019August 30, 2019

My Heart Aches for People Living with Chronic Illness

Columns, Younger than 30: Living with IPF, a column by Charlene Marshall

I often write about living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and what I’ve lost as a result of my diagnosis. It’s easy to write about because my life has ... Read more

August 30, 2019September 4, 2019

Smoke and Mirrors: Reflecting on ICU Trauma During a Cigarette Break

Columns, Courage to Care - a column by Christie Patient

On Independence Day, I found myself alone, drunk, and crying. Every other person at the small party had adjourned to the parking lot to smoke. I have always had ... Read more