Columns

When you think of someone who has a lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is easy to understand that physical exhaustion is likely a primary side effect. What may not be so easy to understand, however, is the mental exhaustion that comes with having…

I am quite aware of what I can no longer do, and grieve these losses. I also have found that focusing on what I CAN DO encourages me, and gives me hope and purpose. My sister Kyle and yours truly. My…

Many of you who have been following my column know that I was lucky enough to return to Australia this past fall for three weeks. “Lucky”… it is such a funny word, because while some may say I was lucky to get to travel across the world, others…

As a patient with pulmonary fibrosis I try to come up with ways to calm myself calm when I’m distressed, discouraged, scared or in pain. Dealing with this diagnosis gives me plenty of opportunities. The need to soothe ourselves when distressed occurs…

This is difficult for me to write. Since being diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis), I sometimes struggle to find empathy when others are sick with common ailments such as a cold, sore throat, headache, etc. I really dislike this about myself. In fact, writing about this…

I have a love-hate relationship with the need to be strong on this journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is important to be strong, but I think it is equally important not to show, or attempt to show, strength, especially when you don’t feel very strong. People sometimes…

As we head into this New Year I wanted to take some time to thank all the caregivers who help us live with pulmonary fibrosis. It is easy for me to be aware of all I’m dealing with as a result of this illness, and unintentionally minimize the…

It would be easy to make this column about the difficulties that come with living with IPF. In fact, several possible topics for this post were about just that, including: How exhausting the holidays are with IPF; how shopping for the holidays in large crowds of people sends…

So what is grief? Isn’t it just lots of crying? That is such a normal question. Grief is the process of letting go of someone or something that was deeply important to you. Grief is very different for each person, and comes in waves…

There is so much to adjust to when you’ve been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. For me the biggest adjustment has been the diagnosis itself, with it’s dismal future. Then there’s medical tests, oxygen, tiredness, change in functioning at home and work, grief, and a…