Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (from onset to present)

My biological father suddenly had to quit his job early last year, and his breathing became very labored to the point that daily life was difficult, and his chest pain also worsened.

At first, I thought it was post-COVID symptoms or vaccine side effects, so I visited a small clinic, but I was told to go to a university hospital, so I had to explain myself.

At first, the name 'idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis' was unfamiliar, and since it includes the word 'lung,' I wondered if it was because of smoking.

However, since the cause is unknown, it can occur due to various environmental factors. Most importantly, it wasn't a sudden deterioration, but rather a gradual development of symptoms... My father was worried about his children, so he endured it stubbornly.

Pulmonary fibrosis, in simple terms, can be seen as the lungs gradually becoming fibrotic, or hardened. When I visited the hospital, the condition was already quite advanced, so I couldn't even start respiratory tests. I was so scared. After looking into it, I found only negative information—things like the lungs can't get better, fibrosis means a shorter lifespan... These negative articles kept appearing. However, we are taking medication prescribed by the hospital, exercising twice a day slowly, and managing our health by quitting alcohol and smoking, which I loved. As a result, someone who used to struggle even walking on flat ground has started to pick up the pace little by little, and their breathing has improved.

Pulmonary fibrosis can worsen as a side effect if you overexert yourself through intense exercise due to inflammation, so gradual and consistent activity is better than sudden, vigorous exercise.

And this disease is designated as a rare disease by the government, so you can receive national support, which reduces the burden of hospital visits and prescriptions. However, the medication is as strong as chemotherapy drugs, and when taking it and exposed to sunlight, your whole body may turn upside down, develop hives, and eating can feel like chewing sand, so initially, eating may be very difficult. Still, you should use sunscreen, take walks frequently, and find ways to eat well, making sure to eat properly.

All illnesses seem to require following the hospital's instructions and prescriptions better than anything else, thinking positively rather than feeling depressed, and consistent exercise and effort, along with a lot of support from those around you.

My father has improved about 7% more in his lungs compared to when he was first diagnosed, so he received praise, and he was able to complete all the respiratory tests he couldn't do before without any issues.