Like the side view mirror tells us, objects are closer than they appear

Have you ever glanced at the passenger-side mirror and noticed the message written on it? Objects are closer than they appear. The mirror makes objects appear farther away than they actually are. That warning summarizes my week.

When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017, all that was ahead of me from both a medical and life perspective was yet to be discovered. Now, almost 10 years later, I am still learning. I do not know everything that lies ahead of me.

From the day of my diagnosis up to the day of my bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, I had a clear plan. Working with my care team, I knew what I had to do each day. I had to exercise, record my vitals to share with my care team, and stay positive. While this representation of my day is oversimplified, these were the areas I focused on.

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Packing up for a move

I recently shared that my foot drop was accelerating our desire to downsize and move to single-level living. Much to our surprise, my wife, Susan, and I found a home that met our needs within weeks. It was new construction, which checked all the boxes. The reality of this major life change was reflected in the warning on the side mirror. Downsizing and moving were closer than they appeared.

Susan began packing the day our contract for the home purchase was ratified. She got to the task at hand quickly. I made lists of what needed to be done immediately and then later. Susan quickly added some reality, pointing out that I needed to remember to pack my office. All of the items on my bookshelves would need to be packed.

Bookshelves like the ones shown here will be a packing challenge for Sam Kirton as he prepares to move to a new house. (Photo by Sam Kirton)

But packing up the shelves in my office with a walker would be difficult, and using one was leaving me frustrated, so I purchased a rollator. The larger wheels and pivoting front ones have made a tremendous difference in my mobility, but using it has a learning curve. I’m also asking myself what I really need to take to the new house. I traveled a lot during my two careers, and I kept a large glass container filled with hotel room keys. I liked the reminder. Maybe Susan wouldn’t notice if I kept them.

Also, my medication-induced tremors peaked again this week, so I needed to focus on packing tasks that didn’t require fine motor skills. This includes all the books I have acquired, except for my cookbooks — not all of those will be making the move.

Sooner than expected

This move is happening sooner than we anticipated. I’m not complaining — we found the right house early in our search and it will serve us well, but I can only contribute in ways that are safe for me. My foot drop continues to limit my mobility.

I continue to do physical therapy and, in recent days, walked using my rollator more than 100 yards without stopping, a significant milestone. Still, I won’t be moving large boxes, hanging pictures from a ladder, or mounting a television above the mantle.

This move will be good for Susan and me. Single-level living will be a safer environment for me, and that will be a relief for Susan. My office in the new house is right off the large room and the kitchen, which will make it easy to access snacks. That office will also be where I continue to share my story with you and make every breath count.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.