Columns

One of the lessons idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has taught me is that not everything will go as planned. For that reason, this past weekend we celebrated Halloween and One-Half (which we call HH). Flexibility is important to everyone on this journey. Let me explain. Before my IPF…

Living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is not for the faint of heart. That applies equally to patients, caregivers, and loved ones. While each of us is on a unique journey, there are times when support is necessary. I have shared before that when I was diagnosed with idiopathic…

Weight loss is a recurring topic during my medical appointments, and I frequently discuss it with my transplant team. I wrote about this a couple years ago in a column titled “Using Ozempic in hopes of qualifying for a lung transplant.” At appointments, my body mass index is…

It was five years ago this month that COVID-19 was beginning to consume the headlines. Around the world, those headlines provided an early view of what a pandemic might look like here in the U.S. In fact, five years ago school systems here began shutting down because of the threat.

Do you ever have one of those days? You know the kind: Nothing seems to go your way and the day ends with a huge sigh. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I learned that not every day would be sunshine and roses. Last Wednesday was a…

Fraternal organizations have long been a part of colleges and universities. It’s not uncommon to find an area around campus labeled as Greek Row. These organizations allow like-minded individuals to join together, taking hold even beyond college campuses. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in…

Here in the U.S., there is an effort underway to reduce the size of the government. You may not know that, in addition to writing this column, I’m also a senior moderator for the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums. I recently started a discussion about the government downsizing and asked:…

Winter storm warning. Those three simple words never bothered me much until I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Afterward, those words defeated me. They were an indication of things I could no longer do. Snow, especially deep snow, was too much for me. That all came back…

Living with a rare lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a daily battle that requires strength and perseverance. Many individuals, me included, face this journey with courage, often in the shadows of more commonly known illnesses. Preparing for a lung transplant is undeniably tough as well,…

Have you seen the T-shirt or sign that reads “Keep Calm and Carry On” (KCCO)? You might be surprised to learn the story behind this phrase. Created in 1939, it was part of a three-poster series intended to boost morale during World War II. Ironically, the Keep Calm…