These past six weeks have been difficult as I continue to recover from a horrible ordeal with both pneumonia and influenza. While I’ll never know how I came into contact with these viruses, I’ve become paranoid about touching surfaces such as grocery cart handles and doorknobs because of my…
I’m Harnessing the Power of Positivity in My Battle with IPF
I’ve held three full-time jobs in my career, each averaging about 40 hours per week. I’ve never tracked the number of hours I spend managing my chronic illness, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they equate to a full-time workweek. Since being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) three years ago,…
Overactivation of a protein called mucin 1 (MUC1) triggers pro-fibrotic transformations in the lungs that could contribute to the development and progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an early study using patient cells and mice has found. The research furthers knowledge about the roles played by MUC1-induced pathways,…
As I move through the seasons of this year, I can’t help but feel the imprint of the events and emotions of last year. I keep comparing moments from now to this time one year ago. There are many unofficial anniversaries that my internal clocks have kept. As we…
Cohbar’s new investigational mitochondrial peptide (a small protein) called MBT#2, not only prevented scarring (fibrosis), but also slowed disease progression when fibrosis was already established in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to preclinical data. The new data was shared on the company’s website…
miRagen Therapeutics is reshaping its strategy to focus on the development of MRG-229, a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company expects to share new efficacy and safety preclinical data on MRG-229 during the…
When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) three years ago, I had never heard of the disease. I was told that it was rare. Even rarer, my doctors said, was my diagnosis at 28. They had considered IPF when first looking for answers for my breathlessness,…
People with pulmonary fibrosis living in the Mercer and Bucks County regions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania now have access to a new pulmonary rehabilitation program. The program, launched by Capital Health in December, will be located at the Wellness Center at Capital Health Medical Center –…
I try to practice gratitude every day. The word “practice” is appropriate. Viewing daily trials through a lens of gratitude did not come to me by instinct or inheritance. I started doing it several years ago to try and force myself out of a funk. Writing down something that I…
A novel lab model replicates the main steps leading to progressive fibrosis, and can be used to assess the properties of therapeutic candidates, a study has found. The study, “Modeling Progressive Fibrosis with Pluripotent Stem Cells Identifies an Anti-fibrotic Small Molecule,” was published in the journal…
