Mike Sturgill
Forum Replies Created
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Great are You Lord! Awesome song, one of my favorites. How powerful it is especially on those days when I don’t struggle with breathing as much. I perform with the worship music team at my church and this song in particular can raise my spirits and help me appreciate each and every breath.
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No new hobbies but not going to work everyday allows me more time to work on the new renovations on the house we live in. There was some concerns that the work on the house may have led to my symptoms. Air quality testing and 2 weeks away from the house without any change in my lungs ruled that out. I’ve always been diligent about wearing a mask when doing any work on the house so any exposure would be minimal.
I’m also planning a road trip cross country to visit some of our national parks while I’m still able.
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Charlene,
I had some concerns about going through the open biopsy but I really needed to have an answer – a diagnosis. None of the prior tests confirmed anything. I met with the cardiothoracic surgeon a few times before the procedure and was comfortable with him and the facility where the procedure would take place.
Things went extremely well and I was able to come home the next day. I had some pretty significant pain the 1st few days but that subsided and after about a week I was pretty much back to normal.
As for the transplant, if my condition warrants, and I believe the risk is worth the reward at that point, I would certainly give it a go.
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When my symptoms began, I was a full time National Park Ranger. I supervised an RV park and worked at the park’s visitor center. The job required me to walk through the RV park several times daily and allowed me to interact with people from all over the world. As an extrovert , it was a perfect job for me and I loved it.
I took a few days off when I initially got sick. But then those few days turned into weeks and eventually 4 months. Fortunately my boss and the rest of the team were very supportive, just wishing me well and allowing me to come back on my terms. Initially I tried half days, which worked for a while, but with my shortness of breath, talking to visitors became difficult. The constant cough was a great distraction also. As this was the peak of flu season, I could see the concern in their faces.
Once I was diagnosed, and understood there was no improvement on the horizon, I decided it was time to hang up my ranger hat. It was not an easy decision to make but it was the right thing to do. Working half days whenever I could meant others had to pick up the slack. Additionally, my position in the government agency was full time, not part time and I knew I couldn’t stay much longer. After 4 months of sick leave it was time to let someone else have the opportunity.
I’ve only been officially been away from the Park Service for a few weeks so I’m still adjusting. Leaving my perfect job was not easy, but a big concern was daily exposure to people from all over. Being in my position I could be exposed to any disease that they may be carrying.
In the long run it was the right choice, but I’m still learning how to adapt. -
Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I’m now on day 12 of esbriet and tolerating it well, thanks to the pointers I’ve picked up here. 2 pills with meals right now but I was given the 801s to start next week. Taking 3 at a time wasn’t real appealing. Fingers crossed I’ll tolerate those ok also.
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Charlene,
Thanks for the reply. Up until the onset of symptoms in mid December, I was a very healthy and active guy. I spent 21 years as a medic in the USAF and another 8 as a civilian paramedic before I sustained a spine injury 15 years ago that forced me out of that field. For the last 3 years I’ve been a National Park Ranger (best job ever), but I’ve had to give it up since my diagnosis.
My journey started with a simple common cold in December. Usually I can fend those off in a few days. This time it quickly became bronchitis then pneumonia. After 4 rounds of progressively stronger antibiotics with no improvement, I was referred to a pulmonologist.
The pulmonologist ran me through the same battery of tests that I’m sure we all went through including bronchoscopy. When that couldn’t confirm the diagnosis, we moved on to an open lung biopsy.
I received the results, a diagnosis of IPF, on March 19th. With my medical background and some prior candid conversations with my pulmonologist, I was fully expecting to hear IPF. Still not what I wanted to hear, but not a shock. I am now on day 12 of esbriet and tolerating it ok. I have seen a transplant surgeon and as of now, I’ve got some time before that becomes necessary.
As for singing, standing is best but sometimes the fatigue requires sitting. We just work through it. I can’t hold out notes like I used to, and I have to sneak in short breaths, but I’m making it happen – that’s a benefit of being part of a supportive group. I was able to rejoin the group just 2 weeks ago for the 1st time since December. That’s been good for my spirits.
I’m sorry you had to give up on hockey, it sounds like you were pretty good at it. This diagnosis changes our lives, changes our priorities but it doesn’t have to steal our joy. There’s always something to be grateful for, even if it’s just getting out of bed in the morning. This disease may beat my body, but I have no intention of letting it beat my spirit.
Thank you Charlene, for taking on this forum. I can imagine that it’s a lot of work for you, but please know it is very helpful. You are touching lives with your work and I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciates your effort.
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I’ve been singing in school or church for 45 years. I was finally diagnosed just last month after a sudden onset of shortness of breath beginning in mid December. Initially I was struggling to breathe so much, I was sure I’d never sing again . Of all the disappointment that comes with IPF, that hit me hard. I get great, great joy from worshipping with the music team at my church every week.
I began trying to sing again (in the car, radio cranked) and have been able to slowly adjust my breathing technique to get through a song.Singing raises my spirits, gives me joy and let’s others around me know I’m not giving up the fight.