Living with Cystic Fibrosis

What Can You Do When You Have Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Fibrosis

It was just an ordinary day, much like he had experienced before. Feeling strong and healthy, Barry Morgan was shattered when the doctor told him him he only had 18 months to live. Barry had been diagnosed with life debilitating pulmonary fibrosis.

He relocated from the filthy-aired town that he had lived for so many years and brought his wife, Kerry to Brookings, Oregon. Leaving his children behind, Barry wanted them to remember him as their strong and invincible father, and not the frail dying man who could no longer breath on his own.

Now, six years later, Barry has defied the odds. No longer focusing on his death, he has begun celebrating his life by creating music. Barry started to compose and play his own music. Strumming away at his guitar, he is able to bring joy to others by channeling his positive energy.

Barry redirected his focus to music. He began composing and creating media which he began posting on talent Web sites. This creative outlet has helped him cope and leave a legacy behind with his music.

As found on MayoClinic.com, pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease threatens the quality of life. The illness scars the lungs and limits air intake. Current research has indicated that consistent trauma to the lungs over a period of time leads to the scarring tissue of the lungs. When pulmonary fibrosis occurs, the scarring to the lung tissue is irreversible. When breathing takes place, air flows into the lungs and makes them expand. The lungs are flexible and are easily able to pulsate. However, pulmonary fibrosis does not permit this procedure. Instead the air sac become dry like a desert and become stiff, making breathing a very difficult task.

There are many factors in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, such as age, sex, viruses, and smoking. This disease is prominently found in older adults, though cases have developed in adolescents. Men are at higher risk for the disease, though experts are not positive for this occurrence. Viral infections have been noted in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Smoking is also a huge factor in being diagnosed. Since pulmonary fibrosis is irreversible, most treatments are only to prolong life or make the patient's life more comfortable. As in Barry's case, his treatments have prolonged his life, but it is the ultimate outcome will be grave.