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[Guest guest]

Hi! I have been a lurker for more than a year. Somehow that makes me feel

guilty, but I really didn't have much to say. Now I must tell Jack what a nice

message he posted and how nice were the follow up messages. I have Jack beat by

a few months--I turned 80 in August. I was diagnosed about 11 years ago by my

family doctor who looked at a routine xray and knew what it was --- he sent me

to a pulmo who had the CT stuff done and seemed okay, but promptly put me on

huge doses of prednisone and all kinds of inhalants. When my family doctor heard

that, he actually said " What the hell is he doing stuffing you with all that

stuff? " So, to the Mayo clinic in sdale (I live in Mesa AZ) more tests, no

meds at all except when I got my yearly cold in January. Then either a short

course of pred or an antibiotic. The point I'm making is that little change for

about nine years. Then increasing short of breath and have been on oxygen for

about 2 years now and

inceasing doses every few months. Now 3 or 4 to walk or to sleep and 2 or 3 to

sit around. I feel decent most of the time but I have finally decreased my

bridge playing, water aerobics and volunteer work at the library. Now I read, do

crosswwords, jigsaw puzzles, . The reason I am finally getting around to

writing is to mention that like most of you I had never heard of PF--stopped at

the library on my way home from the doc. It was a wow experience. My mother was

especially devastated, but so was my husband, four sons and their families. I

slowly got used to the idea that I had a rotten disease, but since not too much

happened for most of the years since I didn't think about it much. I do now

because of the rotten oxygen hoses that are always catching on things. but just

think! Most of do not have the horrid pain that so many people my age go

through. I still feel lucky and I support what Jack and Brusce and so many

others have said. Life is still

GOOD.

By the way, I have an extra battery for a Sequel Eclipse, I would be glad to

mail to any of you who use that machine and would like an extra battery--first

to ask gets it. I loved it and we found it great for trips and full time use at

home. I was really sorry to have to give it up.

My name is Fay. I do read the entries and I really apppreciate what I have

learned from you all. Keep up you sage advice and good cheer. Thanks