My dad, David Joe Walker passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis on April 16, 2019. He was diagnosed about four years ago. He was also a lung cancer survivor. My dad fought his disease like a warrior and with grace to the very end.
He was doing well at first. He had an excellent pulmonary doctor and was on experimental medicine until around August 2018. He suddenly had lost a tremendous amount of weight loss and the doctors feared his cancer may have returned. He was in and out of hospitals and rehabs from that August to December 2018.
Dad said he was done with testing and hospitals but in January 2019 he collapsed at home. They at first thought he may have suffered from a stroke but the next day we were called in and told his pulmonary fibrosis had progressed to the point it was straining his heart. They said there was nothing more than they could do for him. He came home for hospice care and lasted four months before he passed.
I was his caregiver during the day, my mom was his caregiver at night. We received a ton of support from the Hospice Team, but watching someone die from this disease is a terrible experience so I suggest that loved ones who have someone they love suffering from disease seek out additional support. The last few months with my father to care for him was a blessing to me but their were difficult daily challenges such as memory loss and personality changes. My dad took a turn for the worse rather quickly and his last days he suffered so I am glad he is at peace. My prayers are that one day we find a cure for this horrible disease.
