“How can I help you?” When was the last time you heard those five simple words? My next question may be even harder to answer: When was the last time you asked someone how you could help them? When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January…
Make Every Breath Count – a Column by Samuel Kirton
A single decision, likely made in a split second by someone I’d never met, saved my life. On the morning of July 9, 2021, I received a call that donor lungs were available for me, and my future went from impossible to possible. When I was diagnosed on Jan.
No one would voluntarily join the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community. After all, who would want to be a part of the rare disease world? When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017, the idea of a disease-specific community seemed elusive. Most people I knew…
Mariners, for as long as their ships are at sea, rely on navigation skills to safely reach their destination. The tools and techniques they use have improved over time. While some ships may still post lookouts on occasion or use a lighthouse to identify hazards, the process of moving a…
“You have a condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. There is no treatment or cure. You likely have three to five years to live. You should get your affairs in order.” What do you do with this information? How do you share it with others? This is essentially…
In August 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3b chronic kidney disease (CKD), indicating moderate to severe kidney function impairment. I had anticipated this diagnosis for years prior to my bilateral lung transplant in July 2021. After being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I…
The alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m. It is not a welcome awakening, but a stark reminder of the day ahead. The purpose of the alarm isn’t to ensure that my wife, Susan, and I are up to catch a flight that will whisk us away on vacation. It is…
What do blue lobsters, green eyes, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have in common? At first glance, they may seem unrelated, but each represents something rare and extraordinary. Imagine a game board with the overarching theme of rarity, featuring categories such as unusual sea creatures, unique physical traits, and…
What do we want? A therapy and a cure! When do we want it? Now! Call-and-response is a tactic often used in protests. Raising many voices together to deliver the same message is a powerful force. Together as a community, we can deliver that message. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation‘s (PFF)…
How was Stonehenge constructed some 5,500 years ago? How were the stones moved, and who moved them? Why were the monolithic statues erected on Easter Island? Do questions like these weigh on you? I enjoy a good mystery, and my journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has all the…
