Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Hi Dorothy, I haven't welcomed you to our Air Family yet...(I don't think) anyhow, I was diagnosed in June 2004. But I can remember being short of breath for years before. I had a total hip replacement when I was 42. while I was recovering and doing rehab (on my own) I walked quite a bit and remember being short of breath. Not just the pain out of breath but just not enough. I was a smoker and just blamed it on my cigs.. ( I quit by the way--YEAH for me) Then 8 to 10 years with fibromalgia pain. Anyhow the point being I know I have had IPF at least 15 years or better.. The 3 to 5 is a number.... by the time our shortness of breath catches us and we get checked out and diagnosed we are pretty advanced with this disease. BUT our Doc's don't know the answers to it all. We are all so different and alike.. Don't buy into the "I'M DYING" no one knows but God and He is the one to give us strength to withstand this monster we have. As I do say , You do not have an expiration date stamped on your tush.. I plan to be here until I ain't.. lol I get out as much as possible and do enjoy it. I have to be in a wheel chair now but I have a good strong husband and a daughter that won't let me stay in to long. I am what some would refer to as final stages.. I am not buying it. As hard as this is I am not quitting. I WILL be in Chattanooga in Oct. unless God has other plans for me. BUT I have told my husband if he has to roll me to the car GET ME THERE.. The most uplifting thing I have done since i wasdiagnosed was to go to our get togethers.. There is not a better place for we patients to gather information than here, get support, get loved because "WE GET IT" So just keep asking all the questions you want. We all have our own opinions which is why we are so good together.Wow sorry I sure have yacked.. I'll stop.. God Bless you with His wonderful peace and strength. Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, FloridaWorry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.