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What Makes Me Happiest as a Patient with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Its funny how things change as you get older. I say this after I spent time yesterday reflecting on such a great weekend filled with friends, family and all-things-related to Christmas!
Last night as I sat down in my cozy and comfortable Pjs on the couch beside my Christmas tree, with my dog, a cup of tea and a Christmas movie; I realized how much these simple things make me happy. I no longer have interest in excessive or materialistic things to make me happy, and I wonder if that is part of my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or perhaps it is just part of getting older?
I do know that since my diagnosis of IPF and knowing that I have a life-threatening lung disease, I value quality time with friends and family more than I ever did before. I simply don’t want to take time with them for granted, and since being diagnosed with IPF I now realize who my closest friends are. This has been a true gift of my lung disease, as it’s enabled me to “release” friends that were extra work or caused me added stress and frustration. Similar to how simple things, nothing materialistic, makes me happy; I don’t have time or interest in spending time with people who aren’t authentic and reciprocal in our friendship. In addition to these “simplicities”, here are some other things that make me happiest right now:
- Spending time away from work: I used to love my career and helping others. Now, due to the complexities of the work I do, and the dynamics between colleagues, I have no interest in being at work and cannot wait until I get to leave at the end of the day. I really am trying to figure out a way not to return to work after this round of cardio-pulmonary rehab is done.
- My Christmas tree: I love the holiday season! Sitting by my Christmas tree brings me a lot of joy and comfort.
- Face-timing with friends overseas: the worst part of traveling for me is spending time away from the amazing people I meet. Being able to chat with them livestream over technology brings me a lot of happiness.
- Spending time with my dog: there is a reason they say that dogs are a human’s best friend. She loves me unconditionally, comforts me when I’m sad and is always happy to see me. I don’t know what I’d do without her!
Can you relate to feeling happier as a result of “simple” things in your life (ie. nothing materialistic) since your diagnosis of IPF/PF?
If so, please share some of those simple things with our forums community so we can all appreciate them. Happy holiday season!
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