Since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in early 2016, I have been committed to advocating for myself and others who suffer from this fatal lung disease. So far, my advocacy efforts have been on a small scale. They include a few speaking engagements, awareness posts through social…
A Tribute to Claire Wineland, Who Inspired an Entire Community
September is recognized as Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Month, and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is suggesting a host of ways to get involved in increasing awareness for the disease. Last year, PFF’s awareness efforts on social media reached 915,000 people. This year, the organization hopes to increase that…
Two weeks ago, I went to the University of California, San Francisco for my last test for lung transplant evaluation. I had a left heart and right heart catheterization to test the pressure in my lungs and to see if I had any blockages in my heart.
The American Lung Association is promoting Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month through September with educational videos featuring lung transplant recipient Randy Cooke, who shares his tips and experience in dealing with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of the disease. September was originally designated Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness…
There is nothing quite like having someone truly understand what you are going through. Living with a life-threatening illness like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can feel excruciatingly isolating. While this is true for anyone living with IPF, it feels extra lonely when you are a young adult dealing…
A research team from the University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine – Tucson was given a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study two experimental treatments believed to delay or possibly reverse excessive scar tissue formation in the lungs of patients with…
Low levels of the homeobox only protein x (HOPX) in lung samples from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients are linked to lung function decline and disease progression, a new study suggests. The study, “Dynamic expression of HOPX in alveolar epithelial cells reflects injury and repair during the…
Editor’s note: A continuation of the monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” I am happy to report that things are on a slow but gradual upswing. As I wrote in my previous miniseries column, July was not one of my favorite months of 2018. However, August was a bit…
Dealing with a serious chronic illness like pulmonary fibrosis can be highly stressful, to say the least. Absorbing the seriousness of our illness, alongside dealing with repeated clinic visits, tests, and medication side effects can leave many patients wrestling with worry and anxiety. It’s easy to get stuck…
The Envisia Genomic Classifier test for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis received a draft Medicare local coverage determination (LCD) through the MolDx (Molecular Diagnostics) service program, according to Veracyte. The decision is a key step in making the test widely available to patients, the company says.
