Biography

Originally diagnosed with COPD/emphysema, latterly diagnosed with IPF/emphysema complicated by defective immune system. Mild respiratory contamination with Beryllium dust in 1968 followed by spontaneous pneumothorax (treated in Karolinske Institut in Stockholm) and pulmonary cysts/scoliosis resulting in a thoracotamy in Heidelberg Thorax Clinic in Germany to remove upper part of right lung. Currently using Spriva and Innovair inhalers. Diagnosed with autoimmune problems including polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and chronic “conjuctiva” resulting in Prednison treatment which started about 20 years ago. Four years ago I started using 20 mg/twice a week Gammanorm subcutaneous gammaglobulin infusion since when I’ve only been hospitalised once with pneumonia. Prior to that – and going back 15 years or so – I was hospitalized on average 4 times a year with chest infections and pneumonia. On one occasion I coughed so badly that I broke my neck and my neck is now bolted together. As my wife so feelingly said – basically you’re screwed. Happy, but screwed!