I was in my mid 40's, a practicing primary care physician for both children and adults, a husband, and father of two - the prime of my life. As far as I knew, I had no risk factors for lung disease, though I had never had much aerobic capacity. I thought it was an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis - the coughing, and shortness of breath. Three weeks of progressive decline despite appropriate therapy, I was in my office and getting winded just moving between patient rooms - I checked my pulse ox and it read in the low 80s. The next few days were a whirlwind of tests, pulmonology visits, and oxygen delivery. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - I was statistically the wrong gender, the wrong age.
Three years of progressive decline, I was hospitalized with parainfluenza - normally a mild common cold. I was listed for transplant two weeks later and was extremely fortunate to undergo surgery shortly thereafter. Now, more than six years later, I have been able to see my children grow up and head off to college, and while I don't feel safe in face-to-face clinical practice, I have found a rewarding way to advocate for patients in the Medicare payer space.
Emerging from the shelter many of us with risk factors sought out during COVID, I wish to give back and help those with lung disease and their families. I have reached out to my local chapter of the ALA and will be attending Better Breathers Clubs to listen, share my story, and offer any support I can.
Breathing is something we take for granted until we can't. It is important for all of us who aren't able to take lung health for granted to ensure we minimize the development and progression of lung disease.
