Wake-up Call

"Everybody expects to get old.

Nobody expects it to happen all at once"

In early 2013, I experienced shortness of breath and a decrease in my ability to exercise. I realized I needed to get it checked out. After breathing tests, chest X-rays, poking, prodding, and listening I was diagnosed with Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

I had my wake up call. All at once I was old.

"Pulmonary" means "of the lungs". "Fibrosis" means "scarring". Pulmonary Fibrosis is a scarring and thickening of the lungs. "Ideopathic" means the cause cannot be determined.

IPF progressively reduces both lung capacity and the ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs are able to take in less air. At the same time, they become less able to extract oxygen and vent carbon dioxide from that air. Once lost, lung capacity is not regained. IPF is progressively fatal. There are drugs and treatments that may slow the progression but there is no cure.

So, I'm suddenly old and getting older a lot faster than I thought. I am also doing everything in my power to slow progression and preserve the capacity I have left. I take medication, breathe full time oxygen, exercise within capacity, and learn everything I can about how to deal with this disease.

Bottom line:    

I am moving slowly, but I am still moving. I plan to keep moving as long as I possibly can. 

I am doing less than I used to but I am still doing.

Some dreams are no longer within my capacity but I plan to keep chasing those that are.

IPF is what I have, not what I am. I plan to keep on keeping on as long as I can.

And that's about all one fellow can do.