This morning as I was trying to stretch sleep a tiny bit longer, I heard my cell phone ringing in the bathroom. It was the generic ring - not one of the custom choices for various family. I shoved sleep aside and then shoved my feet toward the phone to only discover I'd missed, by one melodic tone, a call from Vanderbilt Medical.

I immediately returned the call because of several appointments I have this week. I spoke with Kathleen who is often my primary contact regarding the clinical trial I'm in. She gingerly suggested that there might be a protocol conflict regarding my pulmonary rehab and the clinical trial. *heart sank*

The explanation made sense. Pulmonary rehab will improve my breathing, which would provide confusing results for the clinical trial. We quickly determined that pulmonary rehab is far more important as I prepare for my double-lung transplant. I also know this condition (IPF) is quickly becoming near-epidemic (perhaps an exaggeration) and there are many, many clinical trials for fibrotic diseases - especially IPF. She and Dr. Lancaster were going to make a flurry of calls and get back to me ASAP.

Do I dare say I held my breath?

I embrace the belief that God's plan isn't always mine - and that His plan is revealed when it should be. Rather than be disappointed, I chose to think positive.

A few minutes ago Kathleen called. She was quite excited and pleased. It's a go. I'm green-lighted all the way.

Yay!

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I suspect I've had IPF for many years. This is true for many IPF patients. People get older and put on weight and attribute shortness of breath to those changes. If you should find yourself increasingly short of breath see a pulmonary specialist. Walking and talking at the same time is when I first noticed a difference. I couldn't do both effectively. Also, IPF patients become short of breath when bending over.

The fact that I was diagnosed long after the onset of my illness has not affected the prognosis one iota. I'm very glad I didn't know because I would've missed some memorable moments in my life because of the restrictions I now have. That might sound like I feel cheated... I don't feel that way at all. New and exciting experiences sprout up every day!

I've had two hip replacements. I remember so clearly the last day I played tennis. That was about 18+ years ago. Tennis had been my life for most my life. When I got home that day, I held a one-woman committee meeting. I could cry - or I could be grateful for all the years and pleasure tennis had given me. I chose gratitude. And that's when art became a huge part of my life.

New and exciting experiences sprout up every day! They're just waiting for us to discover them.