For those of us living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), trips to the emergency room (ER) are inevitable. These trips could be due to fighting off a virus that affects our ability to breathe, an exacerbation, or simply a secondary symptom of our disease. Unfortunately, as a…
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I’m coming up on the fourth anniversary of being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. It’s caused me to ponder what I wish I’d known before my diagnosis. Three things are at the top of my list. Ignore information online about life expectancy My disease progressed rapidly because it…
No one wants to be plagued with the symptoms, medications, management, or label of living with a chronic illness. For most, a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be an extremely emotional, confusing, and scary time. I remember this vividly when I…
When most of us think about going on vacation, images of relaxation pop into our minds. The point of a vacation is to feel rejuvenated and to catch a break from our structured and routine-filled days of school, work, appointments, or errands. Planning a vacation should be fun…
It is so hard to get used to using supplemental oxygen. I still remember my shock and anger when told I would have to cart oxygen around whenever I moved about. I couldn’t believe it! I had a few choice words to say to my doctor…
April 7, 2016, is a date that will be etched in my memory for a very long time. It is the date of my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, which followed nine long months of fatigue, shortness of breath, and a dry cough that never seemed to subside.
All pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients go through hardships. We watch our lungs and health decline and we suffer emotional pain as we process our foreshortened lives. Grief becomes a companion as we emotionally process all we endure. This disease takes a toll on us. Talk to yourself with…
Because I was diagnosed with a chronic illness at 28 years old, I have received many different reactions to the news. Most people are well-intentioned, some don’t know what to say, and others share common reactions that one might expect when something unfortunate happens. I experienced a lot…
After I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, I began evaluating the best way to spend the precious time and energy I have left. Against a backdrop of grief, I made a list of the things I wanted to complete before I passed. Some goals involved increasing…
Editor’s note: A continuation of Charlene Marshall’s monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” The goal of my “Gratitude Miniseries” is to write about the things I am grateful for that took place in the past month. I believe this will be an excellent narrative to look back on at the…
