Take a minute to read this please. Spread the word. And for Christ's sake if you smoke STOP!!! Watching my dad die is no fucking picnic and I'm certain that your loved ones don't want to have to watch you die like this, a slow, suffocating death. When you're done reading this please pray for my dad.
Dad 4 years before his diagnosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis, the Secret Killer
Each year more than 40,000 Americans die from Pulmonary Fibrosis. This is the same as those with Breast Cancer, but many more than those with Ovarian Cancer (14,000), those with Prostate Cancer (31,900) and Cystic Fibrosis (less than 1000).
Despite these numbers, victims of Pulmonary Fibrosis continue to be under represented in medical research protocols. There are currently 200,000 sufferers from Pulmonary Fibrosis in the United States compared to 340,000 victims of AIDS. In terms of visibility, everyone is familiar with AIDS, but very few people have heard about Pulmonary Fibrosis. At this time there is no effective treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis. It is therefore a terminal illness in which the victim succumbs within two to four years after diagnosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease in which the air sacs of the lungs are gradually replaced by scar tissue. As the disease progresses, the increase in scar tissue interferes with the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood stream. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult and the patient dies of respiratory failure. The age of onset is usually between 40 and 70 but we are currently witnessing patients of a younger age becoming affected. To add to the problem, the condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma, emphysema or one of the many forms of pneumonia. The symptoms are shortness of breath upon physical exertion and later on difficulty in talking on the phone.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation was established to help confront the many problems faced by victims of the disease. Its mission is manifold. First, is to increase awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis as a disease entity in both the medical community and the general public. This is important since early diagnosis and treatment may halt the disease's progression and increase the longevity of the patient. Second, is to increase funding for research that will find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis. This will be accomplished through direct funding by the foundation and advocacy of an increase in funding by the National Institute of Health for lung research.
If you would like additional information about Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Foundation call 312-377-6895 or write to: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1440 West Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607. We can be reached by email at:
breathe@pulmonaryfibrosis.org or on the internet at: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
Dad 4 years before his diagnosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis, the Secret Killer
Each year more than 40,000 Americans die from Pulmonary Fibrosis. This is the same as those with Breast Cancer, but many more than those with Ovarian Cancer (14,000), those with Prostate Cancer (31,900) and Cystic Fibrosis (less than 1000).
Despite these numbers, victims of Pulmonary Fibrosis continue to be under represented in medical research protocols. There are currently 200,000 sufferers from Pulmonary Fibrosis in the United States compared to 340,000 victims of AIDS. In terms of visibility, everyone is familiar with AIDS, but very few people have heard about Pulmonary Fibrosis. At this time there is no effective treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis. It is therefore a terminal illness in which the victim succumbs within two to four years after diagnosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease in which the air sacs of the lungs are gradually replaced by scar tissue. As the disease progresses, the increase in scar tissue interferes with the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood stream. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult and the patient dies of respiratory failure. The age of onset is usually between 40 and 70 but we are currently witnessing patients of a younger age becoming affected. To add to the problem, the condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma, emphysema or one of the many forms of pneumonia. The symptoms are shortness of breath upon physical exertion and later on difficulty in talking on the phone.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation was established to help confront the many problems faced by victims of the disease. Its mission is manifold. First, is to increase awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis as a disease entity in both the medical community and the general public. This is important since early diagnosis and treatment may halt the disease's progression and increase the longevity of the patient. Second, is to increase funding for research that will find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis. This will be accomplished through direct funding by the foundation and advocacy of an increase in funding by the National Institute of Health for lung research.
If you would like additional information about Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Foundation call 312-377-6895 or write to: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1440 West Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607. We can be reached by email at:
breathe@pulmonaryfibrosis.org or on the internet at: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
VIEW 18 of 18 COMMENTS
pheme:
/hugs
lilli:
Still thinking of you and your dad. I hope you're doing ok. Love and hugs. 