Bruce+ Re: How PF has improved my life

[Guest guest]

It's no different than what you do. I've seen how you live with the

disease, even when obstacles arise. You just don't give yourself enough

credit sometimes. As most here don't. I just observe and learn every

day.

> >

> > From: Jack Marshall mrshlljck@ .

> > Subject: Re: How PF has improved my life

> > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com

> > Date: Friday, March 27, 2009, 3:02 PM

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> > Since I was dx nearly five years ago, I have done a few things.

> >

> > 1. I reached the age of 80. To my surprise, it was a kind of

freedom, to be wholely myself without concern for what others may think

or do.

> >

> > 2. I learned that family - my children, my grandchildren, my great

grandchildren hold me in considerable esteem. To have a four year old

call you on the phone and sing happy birthday to you in a sweet voice

> > is like hearing angels.

> >

> > 3. I learned that my circle of friends was larger and more loving

and concerned than I ever imagined, and

> > that they spanned ages from 6 to 90 .

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> > 4. I learned that PF is just another element in my life, a thought

that I have incorporated but yet

> > respect, and that my life goes on very much like it did before, but

with the annoyance of a drippy

> > five year old's nose, and an aggravting cough. No one but me pays

these things any attention.

> >

> > 5. I learned that I now live my life with a heightened sensitivty

to things I used to take for granted:

> > a magnificant surnise, a flock of ravens in my yard, a mama deer and

her kid in the woods, a moose dancing across the highway before I get

too close to cause an accident, the neighbor's cat chasing

> > a squirrel, only to lose it when it races up a tree trunk.

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> > 6. I learned that I love life and that with the right attitude life

loves me, even with the PF.

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> > 7. I learned that I want to make it to 100, and that I have the

will and the means to do so if I coddle the devil in my lungs and work

to keep him still.

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> > 8. Most of all, I learned to love this great Air Family which has

given me more love than I deserve and

> > taught me more about life than I thought there was to know.

> >

> > Thank you - all of you - I love you.

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> >

> > Jack

> > 79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine

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> > From: Bruce Moreland

> > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com

> > Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 1:40:20 PM

> > Subject: How PF has improved my life

> >

> >

> >

> > Ok.....I know to some, especially newcomers, this is an insane

topic.

> > But, I know there are many ways in which the diagnosis and

subsequent

> > events have actually made my life better. I know things I've gained.

I'm

> > going to reserve my list a bit and just want to hear others answer.

> > While none of us would have chosen to have PF, I think it's

important to

> > remind ourselves of the good aspects of our lives and to instill

among

> > the newcomers the hope, not of a cure, but of a good life. So, what

have

> > you gained or what is better than before or what have you done since

> > diagnosis that you might not have otherwise?

> >

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