Breathing Again
It was 2005 and Roberta woke up with something wrong. She was uncomfortable, and small rashes and welts covered her face, neck, and arms. Frightened, she woke her husband. Seeing her distress, he rushed her to the emergency room.
After hours of testing and waiting, the physicians at the hospital were nowhere close to determining the cause of Roberta’s condition. They treated her skin irritation, and wrote a prescription that addressed it like a common allergic reaction.
A few months later, Roberta was again in discomfort. This time, however, something was different. She was constantly out of breath, couldn’t climb stairs, and could barely make it through the basic functions of daily living. After numerous visits to her doctor, she was finally diagnosed with pneumonia. While her doctor attempted to treat her illness, it seemed as if her symptoms never got better.
After a series of specialists and an alarming shortness of breath, Roberta had her husband again take her to the emergency room. Because of her extreme lack of oxygen, she was admitted so that doctors could hopefully pinpoint the cause of her condition: she couldn’t breathe!
Things took a turn for the worse when the phone rang at the house. It was the hospital, calling for Roberta’s husband. This one took his breath away. Roberta’s lungs had collapsed, and the physicians needed his permission to put Roberta on life support. It was only then that someone suggested a possible trigger for Roberta’s dangerous decline: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis is a scarring of the lung tissue that results in difficulty breathing. There is no certain cause for it, no way of knowing who may get it, and no cure. Some have had moderate success in treating the symptoms, but the ultimate option for some is a complete lung transplant. Over 128,000 people in the United States has Pulmonary Fibrosis, with about 48,000 new cases diagnosed each year, and about 40,000 dying of the disease. That is about the same mortality rate as breast cancer, but much less is known about this disease.
Roberta eventually recovered enough to return home, but her days were a maze of medical mayhem, pain, and confusion. She wasn’t interested in seeing or talking to anyone. Her husband spent hours researching the disease and trying to sort out their medical options. Then one day, he came across Caring Voice Coalition. He sent in a request for more information. Roberta thinks back and says, “We had no idea what a blessing we had just encountered.”
They received a phone call from a CVC representative who explained the mission of the group, and upon hearing the diagnosis and condition of Roberta, began to offer contacts and organizations that would be able to assist. Roberta says that the initial contact offered them an “angel in disguise” who has been with them ever since.
Caring Voice Coalition was able to find insurance for Roberta that was reasonable and affordable, and suggested a local organization that catered to PF patients. The organization continues to work with Roberta and her family, helping them to deal with a chronic and ultimately fatal disease.
Roberta still suffers with Pulmonary Fibrosis, and she’s still scared. Each day is confusing, and she’s still adjusting to living with her disease. She’s doing better, though, and she says that with the help of CVC her family can breathe again.
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7 Responses to Breathing Again
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Im glad u r doing better if u dont no I went through something similar to what u went through i was starving tl death could mot eat , having asthma attacks couldnt breath and finally a doctor in ws found out what was wrong I had sarcodosis the disease that kill Bernie mac && Reggie White the fb player but God healed me and he can do the same thing for u…Im glad u r doing better..:-)
Thank you Linda for your words of encouragement. God is awesome. I have continue to get better everyday and be a blessing to so many other people. Miracles do happen!
Robin this is such a beautiful blessing your very blessed to have such an amazing husband and family w/their love and god’s power your new life has gotten even brighter than you could have ever imagine….Simply awesome!!!
Thank you so much Tammy! My husband has absolutely been a blessing to our family. You are so right when you say life has gotten better. God knows what we need. Life is indeed brighter than its ever been before. Thanks to God and Caring Voices!
oh,robin i just read about your story it really bought tears to my eyes,im so sorry for what all u been threw but we know god puts no more on us then we can bare,i know 2012 is gonna be better and thank god for your’e wonderful husband i will keep you in my prayers and i know god is still in the blessing businees,take care and keep on praising god and i will do the same….
I love you Robin and continue to be in awe of your strength. You are truly an amazing person and an inspiration to so many! I pray that God will continue to be the light in your life and that you will be blessed with all the joy you deserve!!!! Xoxo
I also was diagnosed with pf three years ago. A friend created a natural product for me and it has stopped the progression of my disease for more than a ear now. other individuals have had the same results.Check out the web site http://www.virapress.com. I care and I hope Virapress can help you like it has helped me ae and others.