quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
I almost don't know what to say, reading this outpouring of good wishes and appreciation like I have never experienced.

As many have read before this, I have pulmonary fibrosis. I was diagnosed ~6 years ago. Since then, I have gotten steadily worse. It was this diagnosis which motivated my retirement and move to Texas where I grew up a long, long time ago.

The reality of IPF is that there is no treatment and no cure. There is no "getting better." You get worse until you die, either of it, or with it. I am passed the age where a transplant is done. A lung transplant is a serious, serious surgery. Recovery is lengthy, there are lots of very strong medicines to minimize rejection, etc, and you must avoid animals, children, etc to avoid the germs, illnesses etc they often carry. Average life span afterwards is ~5 years. I have decided not to pursue it, not that I would qualify at my age anyway.

The mortality rate I have seen is that 80% of patients die within 5 years of diagnosis. I'm a bit passed 6 years since diagnosis. I am now on supplemental O2 24/7, 5 liters per minute, and cannot walk from one end of the house to the other without it, and barely with it. I normally spend 18-20 hours a day in bed. I can still go out, to the supermarket, to Costco, etc., but I have to use those electric carts they provide. It's tiring even so. I've given up most of my activities, other than those where I can sit on my butt, like reading, radio. I just don't have the energy to do very much. When my wife goes to piano camp in a couple of weeks, my son is coming to dad sit!

I haven't been to a range in a long time. I'll be selling off my guns and ammo shortly, not that I have a large collection.

I appreciated and surprised by Para's call this afternoon, and grateful for the many very kind comments. I have gotten as good as I have given and more besides in the discussions we have had here. Para pointed out I was 42 posts short of 40,000 posts. Many of those were posts of columns shared from the numerous publications I read, but a great many were me seeking help with various mysteries, computers, firearms, and those were almost always fruitful.

So thanks again for the kind words and good wishes. Those mean more than I can say.