Growing up as an only child, I’ve spent my whole life hearing what one Washington Post writer calls “a slew of profoundly unflattering and occasionally contradictory stereotypes.” I’ve been told many times how lucky I am that I don’t have to share my parents’ affection with siblings. Or…
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My mom, Diana, has this endearing way of summarizing books she’s read or movies she’s seen by reducing entire plotlines to who’s in love with whom. As someone who’s studied the craft of storytelling, I have a hard time hearing great works of art being reduced to…
In May 2017, I began the roller coaster ride that was my lung transplant evaluation. I call it this because it had the usual climbs of positive developments, and the fast and dramatic drops. But it also had terrifying twists and turns, and unexpected events, which left me frustrated…
It was around this time last year that some people began to envision what life might be like after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. While the first COVID-19 vaccination wasn’t officially administered until last December, talk about the jab was on the horizon last fall. That’s what prompted some to…
In a society that shuns openly speaking about death and dying, it’s hard to find words to grapple with the terror of the unknown and the threat of imminent grief. It can be even harder to find a space in which to utter them. When my mom, Holly,…
A patient’s relationship with their physician can factor heavily in how the patient views healthcare. A relationship that inspires comfort, confidence, and trust is one to cherish. My pulmonologist announced recently that he is retiring, and I’m feeling a mixed bag of emotions about the news. As a patient with…
When I learned that the prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients is about five years after diagnosis, I started wondering how my disease would progress. I didn’t think my progression would follow the usual, defined stages. I believed I would have an acute exacerbation and go directly from diagnosis…
Every October, numerous causes host an awareness month. For instance, you are likely aware that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thanks to widespread campaigns, pink ribbons have been popping up everywhere in my city and on virtual platforms like Facebook. A lesser-known but significant awareness month also occurs in…
“But if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in.” — Junot Díaz I have always been a social person. I need human contact and I have always enjoyed spending time with family and friends,…
Friendships can change when chronic illnesses like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) enter the picture. Some might struggle to understand a friend’s illness, needs, and limitations. And the friend with the illness might change too, depending on how they cope. However, I believe true friendships can withstand these challenges, and even…
