I am a 71 year old female who was diagnosed with NSIP pulmonary fibrosis in March 2023. Prior to that time I was a business owner with my husband for 32 years. I have always been sensitive to odors especially perfume, cleaning products, lotions, etc. I live in South Georgia and we have a lot of mold because of the humidity. I had a chest X-ray because I was short of breath in February 2023, then a CT scan. My diagnosis turned our lives upside down. I went to a local pulmonologist who didn’t have the knowledge to treat me, so I am being treated at the ospital. After thorough testing my pulmonologist took me off of inhalers and I take 10mg of Prednisone and 2000mg of Cellcept daily. He believes that my fibrosis came from a combination of years of inhaling poor quality air as well as daily living odors that most of us inhale without realizing it. Along with exercising, eating as healthy as I can, a strong faith and a good support group, I am doing well. This has been the hardest time of my life, yet the most rewarding, as I am learning how resilient I am. Some days it is still difficult for me to actually accept this condition. I was a very healthy and active woman before my diagnosis. I am learning compassion for myself and others. We are all dealing with challenges in our lives.
