The story of Diane
My name is Diane Reichert and I live with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, also known as IPF. What is IPF you may ask? In simplest terms Pulmonary Fibrosis means scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs (pulmonary). The term Idiopathic means that the cause is unknown. Scar tissue builds up in the walls of the lungs. This scar tissue eventually makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. The scars also make it difficult for my lungs to expand and contact during breathing because my lungs have become stiff.
This creates shortness of breath with activity….even things as simple as taking a shower, washing dishes, or talking on the phone. I continue to adjust to the “new me” as this disease continues to progress, much quicker than I would like for it to.
Do I know how much longer I have to live, no, but I know I going enjoy every moment I have left here on Earth! I am making every breath count as I work on making happy memories with those I will leave behind when I take last breath.
Connect with others on the international IPF community:
https://www.rareconnect.org/en/community/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis