Following my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I took some time to research the available information to learn about my disease. Despite discovering a lot of useful material from brochures, online sources, and support networks, I’ve found that connecting with other patients has helped me the most since my…
Living With IPF — Charlene Marshall
Charlene Marshall is a fiercely independent 30-something-year-old who can’t sit still. She loves coffee, wine tasting, playing with her dog, and spending time on the beach with her family. She’s a lover of all things travel, and never passes up an opportunity for a dip in the ocean! A proud Canadian, Charlene was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2016 after 13 months of investigation into sudden shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and unusual fatigue. IPF has forced her to slow down, but she’s slowly learning the value of quality versus quantity in everything she does.
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Exercise is important for people with chronic illness. But as someone living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs and difficulty breathing, I know working out is easier said than done. I’ve also found some strategies that make it easier for me.
Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and learning to live with it is not for the faint of heart. There is an abundance of emotions that accompanies a diagnosis plagued by a grim prognosis and no cure. No one can prepare you for how it feels to hear the words,…
Maintaining friendships as a young adult is difficult due to time constraints imposed by the demands of young kids, a busy career, or care of aging parents. We’re all “guilty” of getting wrapped up in the daily activities of our lives. It’s not that we don’t want to spend time…
No one really enjoys being admitted to the hospital, but for many patients living with a chronic illness, hospitalization is inevitable, and can bring both comfort and relief. At least, that has been my experience while living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). There has been a lot of talk among…
At some point in our lives, we’re all likely to face difficult decisions. They will force us to weigh out all the options, considering not only the pros and cons of each decision, but also the overall impact on our lives. Before I became sick with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),…
Advocacy and discussions about mental health on social media platforms feel very “trendy” at the moment. It’s a good thing — it is vital that we talk about mental health and raise awareness about the need to care for our minds as well as our bodies. As a patient living…
Life with a fatal lung disease like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is very unpredictable. I thrive in routine, familiarity, and structure, so I have difficulty accepting that this disease can force instant changes. I’m still working on learning to let go of what I cannot control, like an…
One of my biggest fears after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as a young adult was losing my independence. In previous columns, I’ve talked about how I regularly participated in work and volunteer roles throughout the years, building a large network of friends and colleagues. Some described…
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has many pesky side effects. While many are invisible, such as dizziness, muscle pain, and shortness of breath, some are visible, like the chronic cough that accompanies this life-threatening lung disease. Sometimes, patients with IPF experience a productive cough and are able to move…
Monday, June 3 was a difficult day for the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community. An advocate, colleague, and friend passed away from complications of PF, but even in her death, Kim Fredrickson will continue to inspire many living with this life-threatening lung disease. While her loss is felt deeply in…
As a patient living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I can’t count the number of times that close friends and family members have asked me to describe what this disease feels like. While I do my best to share my experience with IPF, I’ve been unsatisfied with the explanations I’ve…
Sadly, many patients living with a life-threatening illness are likely familiar with a magnitude of feelings, fears, and emotions. There is no instruction manual on how to navigate life-threatening with a lung disease like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). I’ll never forget when doctors told me that due to my…
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