This is Joe Martin, 41, who attends Pulmonary Rehab with me and has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Or did. I'm not sure if he still has it or not, because just a few weeks ago Joe had a double lung transplant.
There are five million people worldwide that are affected by this disease. In the United States there are over 200,000 patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis. As a consequence of misdiagnosis the actual numbers may be significantly higher. Of these more than 40,000 expire annually. This is the same as die from Breast Cancer. Typically, patients are in their forties and fifties when diagnosed. However, diagnoses have ranged from age seven to the eighties. Current research indicates that many infants are afflicted by Pediatric Interstitial Lung Disease. At this time there is limited data on prevalence for this group.
Symptons of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis include:
Shortness of breath, particularly with exertion, Chronic dry, hacking cough, Fatigue and weakness, Discomfort in the chest, Loss of appetite, Rapid weight loss.
While the exact cause remains unknown, associations have been made with the following:
Inhaled environmental and occupational pollutants, Cigarette smoking, Diseases such as Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Sarcoidosis, Certain medications,Therapeutic radiation
Because the origin and development of the disease is not completely understood, misdiagnosis is common. Varying terminology and lack of standard diagnostic criteria have complicated the gathering of accurate statistics about people with pulmonary fibrosis. Supplemental oxygen improves the quality of life and exercise capacity. Single lung transplant may be considered for some patients. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a very complex disease and the prediction of longevity of patients after diagnosis vary greatly. Joe lost a sister when she was 4 years old, a brother who was a teen ager, and his mother at a very young age to this terrible disease.
After Joe returned from the Cleveland Clinic where he had his transplant, there was a benefit given for him to help him meet some of the astronomical costs associated with the surgery.
The community seemed to really support Joe and his family and turned out in great numbers for this benefit. There was somewhat over $15,000.00 raised, I believe, which while not enough, was, I'm sure, quite helpful.
Below are a few pictures of the event.
This is the Piqua High School Show Choir. A wonderfully talented group of kids. They gave a purely professional performance. I've never seen a group of kids this age that are so talented.
Some of the Pulmonary Rehab folks that attended are as follows:
This is Karen and Dave. Dave said I made him look ugly in the picture....Sorry Dave. It wasn't me, bud. It was someone much more powerful than me.
Here is Dave again...the guy's a real camera hog....with Mary Heft, former Manager of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab, and Carol, a retired Respiratory Therapist.
Here's another one of dave...we just can't seem to get rid of this guy... with some of the other fine folks associated with Pulmonary Rehab at Upper Valley Medical Center.
Finally, here is your's truly with the two loveliest ladies at the event...Pat and Elaine...a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and a Registered Nurse, respectively.
P.S. Just teasing about Dave, of course. Dave is a nice guy with a great wit and sense of humor. See you at Rehab, Dave.
