Biography

I am a 73 year old retired administrator who worked in non-profit international work, a major university, a large foundation and finally a five year stint in the federal government.  I had a heart attack when I was 46, bypass surgery when I was 60 and multiple other heart related procedures to address atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.  A CT scan recently performed in a hospital showed clear evidence of IPF.  Suddenly, I am dealing with a new reality.  I am happily married to supportive wife in good health and have a daughter, her husband and two young grandchildren living nearby.  I know something about IPF’s clinical progression because my favorite cousin lived with and died from the disease for five years and I visited him frequently.  He died three years ago.