How I found myself in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Community

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In 2003 my mom was diagnosed with a disease we had never heard of - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  She was very late in the disease (after having been mis-diagnosed for many years).  She was given 2 years to live.  Due to her positive attitude and our way of attacking any illness or medical problem she had, we had 6 wonderful years together.  Shortly before her death, I joined an online PF support group for caregivers.  We had spent nearly 6 years doing the PF journey alone.  It was so nice to have someone else to talk to who knew what I was going through.  Mom passed away a month and a half later and my support group friends saved me.  They got me through the rough patch.  They also gave me a reason to stay active in the PF community.  I was able to talk to other new caregivers and help them through this journey.  The night mom died, I had vowed that I would help patients and caregivers and that her fight and her death would not be in vain.  Since then, I have become the owner/moderator of many online support groups myself.  I stay active in the PF community, speaking at public events - learning at public events.  I am active in our local face to face group as well.  I am happy to be able to help others - patients and caregivers - through this process.  The past 12 years have proven to be an invaluable education, not only in PF, but also in helping others.