Lung Disease - @breathlesslymothering

“Hi, I’m Rachel, 31, from Cambridge, UK. I’m wearing my AWARE Necklace in white to raise awareness of Lung Disease. In 2004, at the age of 15, after being wrongly diagnosed with anorexia and being close to losing my life, I was sent to be sectioned via A&E (ER). After a dramatic arrival and a chest X-Ray that shortly followed, it was discovered that my right lung was completely collapsed with distinctive honeycombing damage to the left. After 3 surgeries and pathology testing I was diagnosed with the lung disease Pulmonary Fibrosis, although there is no know cause as to why. I didn’t have anorexia after all. I also have a rare, severe strain of Crohn’s disease which doctors believe is autoimmune linked to the Pulmonary Fibrosis. Pulmonary Fibrosis is when your body attacks the alveolar of the lungs and white blood cells scar and kill the lung tissue making them stiff and unable to make that gaseous exchange of inhaling o2 and exhaling co2 from the blood. I only have <24% remaining lung function and am now oxygen dependent to stay alive, requiring NIVentilation at night after developing Type II Respiratory failure, too. I have end-stage heart failure because of this, also. The simplest of tasks like brushing my teeth and getting dressed leaves me incredibly breathless. My 3 beautiful children give me a reason to carry on and enjoy life each day; if they’re happy I’m happy and I do all in my power to ensure they still live a fulfilled, fun, jam-packed childhood, lived beyond measure. My hope is that I can raise awareness of this devastating, incurable disease and support others in a similar situation and leave my children a legacy in the form of writing a book.” @breathlesslymothering 

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