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…
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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My New Year’s wishes for the IPF community
Each new year brings an influx of marketing about resolutions, hopes, and wishes. If you’re like me, your social media feed is flooded with related ad campaigns this month. A new year often sparks…
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
I Need to Trust You When You Say I’m Not a Burden
I have always enjoyed doing things on my own, and valued my independence while growing up. I want to continue to be as independent as possible for as long as possible. As…
Looking Forward to Summer, but for Different Reasons This Year
As the weather gets warmer here in Canada and everything begins to bloom for another year, it means summer is just a few weeks away. Summer has always been my favorite…
Learning to be Gentle with Ourselves Amid a Chronic Illness
Throughout my childhood, adolescent years and most recently young adulthood, I have been my toughest critic. I openly admit to that, and have had a strong desire to always want to do…
