When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, there didn’t seem to be as much chaos in the world as there is today. Perhaps the drama seemed more distant, or maybe I was just completely engaged in learning about my disease. Today, every…
Make Every Breath Count
— Samuel Kirton
Sam Kirton started his column in November 2021 and writes from his home at Lake Anna, Virginia, where he lives with his wife Susan. His diagnosis at age 59 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January 2017 began a journey of awareness and advocacy. Sam was listed for a lung transplant on March 19, 2021 and received a bilateral lung transplant on July 10, 2021. This was quite the change from his career as a special agent for the Office of Special Investigations and as a corporate security executive. Sam plans to share his journey so you, too, can make every breath count. You can follow Sam’s thoughts on LinkedIn.
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When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the early days of 2017, it seemed like my world moved in slow motion. Just a few months earlier, as my diagnostic journey began in the fall of 2016, my doctors sensed something was wrong, but no one could…
I was recently asked when I stopped working and how I knew it was time. First, let me tell you: It wasn’t an easy decision. My idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis came on Jan. 31, 2017. At the time I was the senior vice president for a U.S.
At the end of this week, I will complete another trip around the sun. This seemed like an appropriate time to provide you with updates on several columns I have shared in the past year. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, the…
When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, the disease was a mystery to me. I’ve shared before that when my wife, Susan, and I left the clinic following my diagnosis, we began to search for information from the parking garage. That thirst for…
Buckle up. The past three weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me. On a scale of -10 to 10, I’ve hit both extremes. I’m no stranger to emotion; some would say I wear my heart on my sleeve. During my journey I’ve had some huge emotional ups and…
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. That line is adapted from a 1785 poem by Robert Burns titled “To a Mouse.” I had an entire month of columns planned for this Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, but that plan went awry. When I wrote…
My name is Sam. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, and I hate this disease. My life was extended by a bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, thanks to an unknown donor who gave me a gift for which the value cannot…
Before I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I had only one dietary restriction: cucumbers, which were my nemesis. I wasn’t allergic, but they gave me immediate and intense heartburn. At that time, I had no idea about the dietary restrictions imposed on lung-transplant…
Last week, I participated in one of the most unique speaking opportunities I’ve had on my journey with pulmonary fibrosis. I was asked to provide a patient’s perspective to a caregiver support group. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, it caught…
Looking at the person sitting nearby, I’ll often say, “So what are you in for?” While to me the question is slightly reminiscent of a conversation between two inmates, that’s not the case in this example. This conversation starter also works at a transplant clinic. I was diagnosed with…
A Newsweek article from a few weeks ago was headlined, “Washington, D.C., Endures Most Blistering Heat Wave in Nearly 100 Years.” As I write this, another article, this one from The Washington Post, just dropped, warning that “D.C. area begins fifth heat wave amid one of its…
Oxygen is necessary for sustaining human life. Most people find the concentration of oxygen in room air (about 21%) to be adequate. For patients with pulmonary fibrosis, this concentration is often inadequate, making supplemental oxygen a life-sustaining necessity. When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis…
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