This is difficult for me to write. Since being diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis), I sometimes struggle to find empathy when others are sick with common ailments such as a cold, sore throat, headache, etc. I really dislike this about myself. In fact, writing about this…
Struggling to Find the Empathy I Once Had
The immune factor CCL8 could be a diagnostic marker of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and it might be useful in predicting patients’ survival times, a recent study reports. Researchers at the Soonchunhyang Graduate School and University Hospital in Korea published the study, “Gene profile of…
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic lung condition where scarred tissue makes the lungs unable to deliver oxygen to the blood stream effectively. The more scarred the lung tissue is, the more severe the condition will be. Find out about six pulmonary fibrosis diagnostic tools. The scarring of lung tissue…
AdAlta biotech announced that its lead drug candidate, AD-114, reduced fibrosis in both the liver and lungs of mice with fibrotic conditions. AD-114 is a novel first-in-class drug candidate called an i-body. This bioengineered antibody mimics the shape and key stability features of specific domains of shark…
Jordan Howard, leading rusher for the Chicago Bears, is launching a fund-raising challenge to honor the 10-year anniversary of his father’s death due to pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The campaign will benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and the PF community. The challenge relies on a simple chain reaction: Every participant…
What’s it like taking care of someone who’s had a lung transplant? In this video from Gifted Life, 26-year-old Lauren and her mom explain what it’s like looking after someone who has a chronic lung condition and the differences between pre- and post-transplant caregiving. Learn more…
I have a love-hate relationship with the need to be strong on this journey with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is important to be strong, but I think it is equally important not to show, or attempt to show, strength, especially when you don’t feel very strong. People sometimes…
This video from Adam Karm titled “The Best Mom in the World” is all about the Packer family. Thirty-three-year-old Stephanie Packer was diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma in 2012 and now, as a result, suffers from pulmonary fibrosis. Wondering how you can better manage you pulmonary fibrosis?…
As we head into this New Year I wanted to take some time to thank all the caregivers who help us live with pulmonary fibrosis. It is easy for me to be aware of all I’m dealing with as a result of this illness, and unintentionally minimize the…
Diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is complicated. Symptoms can mirror those of other lung disorders like asthma, pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). Because of this, six different diagnostic tools are needed for an accurate diagnosis of PF, according to the American Lung Association. 1. Chest x-ray…
