The Freedom That Comes from Letting Go of What I Should Have
Trust me when I say that this column does not come without a lot of behind–the–scenes work to try to change my thinking so I can offer a more positive message. I still can’t say I…
Living With IPF — Charlene Marshall
Charlene 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.
Despite IPF, We Should Find Joy in the Small Things
When I sit down to write these columns, I often reflect on something that has been difficult throughout my journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). I usually focus on something that has changed as a result…
Melting Heat and Humidity Becomes Another Hurdle
As summer settles on most of Southern Ontario, Canada, it brings with it our first heat wave. Normally, I love the heat. Even last year, after I received my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I didn’t…
Dealing with the Repercussions of Steroids
In a recent column, I wrote about how I felt and acted much differently than normal. I mentioned that I was grumpy, irritable, quiet, and mad, and I referenced a few things and reasons that left…
Why Pulmonary Fibrosis Can Make Me Feel Guilty
As one of my beloved healthcare providers always tells me, “There is no rule book for living with pulmonary fibrosis.” She says this when we talk about my constant frustration of living with a life-threatening illness,…
Just Let Me be Mad
For the people around me on a regular basis, I admit I have not been the most pleasant person this week. I have been far from myself and instead have been grumpy, irritable, quiet and mad.
Am I Wasting the ER’s Time and Resources?
As I write this column I am sitting in the uncomfortable chair in our local emergency room (ER) waiting room. This is a chair that I have sat in far too many times, with a familiar…
I Don’t Know What to Do Now: What is My Purpose?
Long before my diagnosis of IPF, I thought I had a plan in place for my life, one that I had been building since I was a little girl. That plan included a steady career in healthcare…
How to Offer Help After Setbacks and During Recovery
I have been reminded of the power of a team in the fight against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in my past few weeks of recovery since recent setbacks and further decline of lung function. While I consider…
I’m Not Just Being Stubborn: Rest Is Hard for Me
Please note this disclaimer before reading this column: I am writing in a bit of disarray, frustration and sadness. I have chosen to write a column while feeling this way, because I think it has the…
Some Lesser-Known Side Effects of Pulmonary Fibrosis
It only takes a moment for someone to Google pulmonary fibrosis (PF) to discover a list of unpleasant symptoms that accompany this disease. Some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath with exertion, dry…
Never Underestimate the Power of a Smile: a Thank You to a Nurse
None of us enjoy being in the hospital. However, for a patient with pulmonary fibrosis, it is inevitable that you will have to spend time admitted to the hospital. I find hospital stays very overwhelming. I…
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