My plan for the holidays was to binge-watch all the Rocky movies. I love this character as played by Sylvester Stallone, and I can relate to how much he struggles to find his way through what life has thrown at him. I particularly identify…
“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…
I have tried countless times to describe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In 2019, I tried to explain what it physically feels like, but I still can’t find words that adequately convey how hard living with IPF is, especially as it progresses. I never do the experience justice. Since most…
The weight of the world is getting heavier. With the holiday season underway and the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreading, feelings of anxiety, sadness, and fear of social isolation are increasing. While I acknowledge that predictions are not always accurate, current scientific models suggest that this variant…
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…
It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is here, and Christmas is less than two weeks away. Although many family and holiday traditions will likely resume thanks to COVID-19 vaccinations, it’s still surreal to think that this is our second time celebrating the holidays amid a pandemic. In…
My pulmonologists are talented jugglers. They must determine my medication dosages, keep my lab results within the standard ranges, and minimize medication side effects. After my bilateral lung transplant in August 2020, it took a year to find the correct balance between all three. Medication baseline The balancing act started…
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…
The holidays can be a time of joy and celebration, magic and wonder, traditions and new beginnings — but also grief and pain. These things can exist all at once, but it can be hard to admit that you’re feeling heavy when you’re expected to be light and…
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