The Unpredictability of Living with Failing Lungs

I’ll be transparent: Living with a chronic illness sucks, regardless of the disease you deal with. It’s not easy learning to navigate life while sick, and unfortunately, there is no rulebook to study. I can only speak for all the difficulties that come with having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis…

Being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis is not for the faint of heart. It is a rough road full of fears, losses, and unknowns. It’s difficult getting used to all that comes with this diagnosis, including lots of up and downs, tears, disbelief, and attempts to adjust. Taking good care…

Editor’s note: A continuation of Charlene Marshall’s monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” Similar to my “Gratitude Miniseries” column for April, July was not one of my favorite months this year. While some good things happened, which I will highlight below, I had to navigate many social and emotional challenges…

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has completed the enrollment of PF patients in its PFF Patient Registry, with the admission of the 2,002nd patient. Launched in 2016, the PFF Patient Registry was created to compile large quantities of data collected from anonymous PF patients, and use it to help…

About three months ago, I bought a used treadmill and started exercising at home. I used to go to pulmonary rehab three times a week. As my disease has progressed, going to pulmonary rehab has become too tiring for me. Just getting there and back as well as…