Columns

Two years ago, I let my colleagues know that I was closing my counseling practice of 30 years due to serious health concerns. A therapist I’d collaborated with in the past left me the most wonderful voicemail. She encouraged me about the positive impact I’d had in the…

Ed. note: A continuation of the monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” As September drew to a close, I was preparing this column by intending to say the month was full of all good things. That was before I learned that a close friend and colleague had died of complications…

I am writing this column from my hospital room, and I’m feeling pretty frustrated. As I was rushing into the grocery store this evening with my oxygen tank strapped to my back and a million things on my mind, I unfortunately didn’t notice the person smoking right outside…

I understand that it is uncommon to see a young adult wearing supplemental oxygen and using a wheelchair due to fatigue. It might spark a passerby’s curiosity about what has made this young person’s lungs so sick that they can’t breathe efficiently. I understand curiosity, but as…

Treating one’s self with tender care is especially important to pulmonary fibrosis patients and their families. Medical tests, clinic visits, long-term illness management, and a shortened lifespan are difficult, unpleasant, and stressful experiences. We continue to grieve and adjust as our lungs worsen. It is important to respond…

I hope I never take my ability to travel for granted. The world is a beautiful place, and despite my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I intend to see as much of it as possible while I still can. Recently, I spent time on the east coast…

I am learning to hold onto things loosely. To me, holding things loosely as a PF patient means being active in the pursuit of my health, taking care of things I need to, and letting go of things that are out of my control. I’m shifting my…

Since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in early 2016, I have been committed to advocating for myself and others who suffer from this fatal lung disease. So far, my advocacy efforts have been on a small scale. They include a few speaking engagements, awareness posts through social…

Two weeks ago, I went to the University of California, San Francisco for my last test for lung transplant evaluation. I had a left heart and right heart catheterization to test the pressure in my lungs and to see if I had any blockages in my heart.

There is nothing quite like having someone truly understand what you are going through. Living with a life-threatening illness like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can feel excruciatingly isolating. While this is true for anyone living with IPF, it feels extra lonely when you are a young adult dealing…