Dennis Broetzman

While Christmas can be the most wonderful time of year for many; for others it can be stressful and exhausting. Navigating the holiday season as an IPF patient is different compared to when I was healthy. Christmas can be chaotic, costly and overwhelming. In a 2019 column I wrote, I shared 5 ways to help take care of your physical and mental…[Read more]

Recently I’ve been doing a lot of reading with respect to pulmonary rehabilitation programs. I am part of a program that is working for me, and has proven to be very beneficial in the management of my disease. Although some exercises are difficult, and in the moment I may not enjoy them, overall I think the program is making a difference in my q…[Read more]

While I am a patient living with IPF, I often take on the role of supporting and caring for my caregivers as well; this just comes naturally for me. It is hard when you know that someone you love is hurting for you and because of your disease. I am not sure how best to help those who love me who are hurting, and sometimes I want to “help” the…[Read more]

I am saddened to share the news of our beloved @jill-tanner‘s passing on October 21. Her niece connected with me, as in true Jill fashion, she had others in mind and wanted us forum members to be told when she passed. I know how grateful I am to have had many interactions with Jill; her kind and supportive demeanour helped many on this site over…[Read more]

As a patient living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is important to avoid colds, flus and other viruses in an effort to protect our lung function. If the eighteen months of the pandemic has taught us anything; it’s the importance of hand hygiene and mask-wearing! Unfortunately, it’s  inevitable that we will fall ill, especially…[Read more]

Kevin’s FVC measurements and percentage decrease over four years. (Courtesy of Kevin Olson)
 

On multiple occasions throughout the last 5 years of living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I’ve wished for easy and practical ways to track my disease progression. I have explored different apps that help patients track symptoms, easily q…[Read more]

As the world begins to slowly open back up, I’ve been giving a lot to the past nearly-two years. If we’re ever truly rid of this virus, I still can’t imagine that everything will go back to normal, like the pre-pandemic days. Instead, we will have a “new normal”, though it’s still uncertain what that might look like. I’m not sure the world w…[Read more]

They always say you should get attached to the care you receive as a chronically-ill patient, not the physician giving it. However, when you’ve had a really positive experience with a physician, whether that be a general practitioner or a specialist, you have little tolerance for anything less. I feel so grateful for the Pulmonologist who has…[Read more]

When you’re living with a life-threatening and progressive lung disease like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), sometimes it can be difficult to feel grateful. However, I am a firm believer that there is always something to be thankful for. One thing I am grateful for today and every other day of the year are the members of our PF News for…[Read more]

This is a difficult topic for me to write about because it triggers various feelings within myself and others. It is also a regular topic of discussion within my workplace, and I believe people are getting sick of talking about it but we’ve not come to an ideal resolution for me.

As a patient living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (…[Read more]