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.
When I first began experiencing symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), my condition worsened quickly and kept me from doing many activities I enjoyed. And yet, it took 13 months for me to receive a diagnosis.
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Person-first language is a concept that has been around for many years. However, the general population does not prioritize it in everyday language. I don’t believe that people deliberately use disability- or disease-first language, such as…
For as long as I can remember, I have always been passionate about traveling. While this has become more difficult since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, I am grateful that it is not impossible. Having to…
A recent discussion in our new Pulmonary Fibrosis News forums was about quiet hobbies that are beneficial for patients living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). As the forum’s moderator, I shared a post about my own…
Editor’s note: A continuation of Charlene Marshall’s monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” Unfortunately, April was not my best month. While many good things happened, which I am excited to share below, last month was full of unexpected hardships…
I have been lucky that many of my friends, colleagues, and family members have quickly adapted to my new normal since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis just over two years ago. They are also aware of…
For those of us living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), trips to the emergency room (ER) are inevitable. These trips could be due to fighting off a virus that affects our ability to breathe, an exacerbation,…
No one wants to be plagued with the symptoms, medications, management, or label of living with a chronic illness. For most, a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be an extremely…
When most of us think about going on vacation, images of relaxation pop into our minds. The point of a vacation is to feel rejuvenated and to catch a break from our structured and routine-filled days of…
April 7, 2016, is a date that will be etched in my memory for a very long time. It is the date of my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, which followed nine long months of fatigue, shortness…
Because I was diagnosed with a chronic illness at 28 years old, I have received many different reactions to the news. Most people are well-intentioned, some don’t know what to say, and others share common reactions that…
Editor’s note: A continuation of Charlene Marshall’s monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” The goal of my “Gratitude Miniseries” is to write about the things I am grateful for that took place in the past month. I believe this…
If you have read my previous columns, you may be aware of how much things have changed for me since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis. My current life is nothing like the one I had before,…
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