[Carlene A. Chamberlain]

Good morning, I am 68 years old and had been coughing for a number of years, since maybe 2010. I’d had a CT scan of my chest due to the coughing about 3 years ago, GP thought I had heart issues, though clearly, seeing the CT scan now, the lung scarring was present but totally missed.  My breathing continually worsened. I was diagnosed  at Kaiser with asthma. Finally, October of last year I begged to see a pulmonary doctor. He looked at the old CT scan and told me he wished I had asthma, that I had IPF..he sent me to get another CT scan, from the top of my head looking down into my lungs. Mine at that time was moderate status. Right lung being worse. I was stunned and thought I would be dead by Christmas.  I live adjacent to a very large chicken ranch, a home I purchased in 2006. That may have been the cause, no one really knows.  I am now on 02 24/7. I purchased an inogyn machine to use while out shopping. I was denied a lung transplant due to liver disease , very mild,  but enough to disqualify me.  It’s taken me months to accept this death sentence, and not sure if I will ever accept it.  I thought I was very proactive with my health, but this has taken me to my knees. Do get the CT scan, and see a pulmonary doctor, start pulmonary rehab to help as they taught me, muscles use less oxygen.

[Carlene A. Chamberlain]

Well well, here I am!  Diagnosed in October of 2022 after coughing, SOB, for a number of years and being told I had asthma even after chest x-rays presented these sick lungs of mine.  I was denied a lung transplant just last Wednesday after months of testing. I’m on 02 since October 24/7, and in Pulmonary Rehab. Muscle uses less oxygen I’ve been told.  Also on OFEV and nothing else.  I too was told I have 5 years to live.  My friends have said one of my lung doctors is “empathy challenged”. But there it is.  I was so focused on getting to the end of the lung transplant testing and being listed, I was preparing for this since October.  I’m here to read about others like us, and how to carry on and live the life we have been dealt with. I am 68 years old and not sure how long I’ve had pulmonary fibrosis. Thank you for sharing and I learn more each day.