It’s hard to be open with people when you’re going through a crisis, particularly one with many uncertainties. A recent conversation with a friend got me thinking about the vulnerable act of sharing trauma. My friend is preparing for a painful and risky surgery to remove uterine…
Cold and flu season begins in October and peaks between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We’re in the midst of the season, and I feel under pressure to do everything I can to remain as healthy as possible. Those of us who…
When learning to live with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), mental health is an elephant in the room. Too often, it is ignored. Although it is becoming more prevalent among hospital care plans, it needs to be discussed more frequently. Learning to live with IPF has been the hardest thing…
In 2014, before I received an official diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I attended the wedding of my niece, Stefania, in Breckenridge, Colorado. The town’s elevation is 9,600 feet. Although my lung function at the time was 62 percent, my doctor gave me the all-clear to attend, but she prescribed…
I am home safe and sound after a whirlwind three days at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Summit in San Antonio. In a previous column, I wrote about why I was looking forward to attending the summit. Being among other PF patients and their caregivers was beneficial in…
When I engage with the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community online, I frequently hear about the difficulties of living with an invisible illness. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to convey my experience of living with this chronic lung condition, which is characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs, shortness…
Learning that you or a loved one might need a lung transplant is scary. You probably have a lot of questions, and may wonder whether they are the right ones. You want to know if you are looking in the right place for answers. Talking with your doctors…
We all know about the benefits of exercise and try our best to incorporate it into our lives. While engaging in physical activity is difficult when living with a chronic lung condition, doctors and physical therapists recommend that those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) stay as active as possible.
I am passionate about professional development and ongoing learning opportunities. While I have always thought about these in the context of my education or career, I am looking forward to the learning that will emerge from the PFF Summit 2019 in San Antonio. I will be attending thanks to…
Ah, November. Tis the season for declining mental health! The end of fall and beginning of winter always make me anxious. In the past, it was the start of my competitive ski racing season that caused a lot of stress. After that were college midterms. There is no particular…
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