Join the Discussion: Topics from the PF News Forums
It has been just over a month since the successful launch of the Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums, and we have many of you to thank. The activity created on these new forums tells us that this type…
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.
Featured Post
Coping with triggering words while living with an invisible illness
When people first think about disease or disability, they usually go to the physical symptoms — understandably, since they’re the most visible. But a chronic illness can affect all aspects of life. The emotional, social, mental, and financial implications…
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A Gratitude Miniseries: February 2018
If you have been reading my previous columns, you might recall that at the beginning of the new year, I decided to write a gratitude piece as each month in 2018 comes to a close. It…
Why I Still Consider Myself Lucky
Some people would call me unlucky to have life-threatening idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at the age of 28. Even more would agree that I have bad luck if they knew that the prognosis for this disease was three…
As a Patient with a Rare Disease, Here’s What Rare Disease Day Means to Me
Today, Feb. 28, is Rare Disease Day. Rare Disease Day is a movement founded by EURODIS, a nonprofit alliance that is the voice for people living with rare diseases in Europe. Since its inception in 2008,…
Living a Full Life Despite Being ‘Very Sick’
Those immersed in the world of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) know how quickly things can change from stable to critical. Regardless of whether you are a patient, caregiver, friend, or advocate, it comes as no surprise to…
Noticing Changes Within Myself: Could It Be Anxiety?
In the past, I thought anxiety entailed someone feeling upset, worried, or nervous. I thought it was situation-based, meaning something triggered it. And I thought anxiety usually manifested in a physical way that was visible to others, such…
The Gift of Quiet Weekends
If you have read my previous columns, you are likely aware that my life before being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was very different than it is now. This is something I often write about…
How Do I Subdue Negative Feelings Related to IPF?
Living with a life-threatening illness like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) evokes a plethora of feelings throughout the course of the disease. Some are positive. At times, a patient is content, grateful, or hopeful. Other times, the feelings…
The Many Vulnerabilities of an IPF Patient
At some point, everyone experiences a level of vulnerability. Perhaps it is joining a new sports team as a child where you fear your skills may not be comparable to other members of the team. Maybe it…
A Gratitude Miniseries: January 2018
It’s hard to believe that the first month of 2018 has already come to an end. It’s true what they say: The older you get, the faster life seems to speed by. I can certainly attest to…
Essential Oil Use with Pulmonary Fibrosis
With increasing interest in natural remedies for the management of disease symptoms, discussion about the uses of essential oils flourishes. Advocates for oil companies, such as dōTERRA or Young Living, will tell you that there are…
Why I’m Excited About the New PF Forum
Thinking back to my days of high school many years ago, I never imagined I would become involved with an online publication. I hated writing articles, papers, and essays, and I had little interest in research, chronic…
