Lung Fibrosis Awareness Month – Breda Coughlan

Breda Coughlan’s story began in the spring of 2019 when she was on holiday in Rosscarberry Co. Cork. Breda had always enjoyed walking, but on this day she struggled to walk up an incline that wouldn’t have been difficult for her in the past. Upon returning home, she visited her GP who referred her to a cardiologist for an angiogram. The test came back normal and so no diagnosis was made, but Breda still struggled to catch her breath. She went back to her GP and was treated for fluid on the lungs. She was also sent for an x-ray and after a spot was found on her lungs, Breda was referred to Beaumont Hospital where a pulmonary test and CT scan diagnosed Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).  

Not realising the severity of the condition, Breda was initially relieved on hearing this diagnosis because it wasn’t cancer. But when she realised that IPF is progressive and, without a lung transplant, incurable, Breda was filled with dread.  This is when her family began to rally around her. Her daughters attended a Patient Information Day hosted by the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) which gave them insights into her diagnosis. They brought home information leaflets for her from the event about the condition but it was a month before Breda could bear to look at them. 

As she began to come to terms with her condition, Breda realised that this was fight between her and IPF, and she wanted to win. She registered for ILFA’s ongoing rehabilitation exercise classes and yoga classes to help her maintain her fitness, and she participated in “Sing Strong” and seated dancing classes. All of this physical activity helped Breda maintain her lung function and she began to see small improvements in her condition. Encouraged by this, her family, a massive source of support, organised a personal trainer to come to her house once a week with an exercise program to improve her fitness and lung function.  

According to Breda, “I am probably fitter now then I have ever been!!! ILFA’s Dublin support group meetings where you can talk to fellow patients and ask how they are coping and get advice is a wonderful resource as well.” 

Breda is delighted that she can still travel for important events. “My condition did not stop me visiting my son and family in Los Angeles. When we visited them in 2023, we celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary where my son and his family took us to Las Vegas to the Little White Chapel to renew our wedding vows. Elvis walked me down the aisle and performed the ceremony. It was a lovely day enjoyed by all especially our grandchildren.” 

Since December 2023 Breda has been on anti-fibrotic medication and her condition continues to remain relatively stable. While she has experienced some side effects, they have not prevented Breda from continuing to live life on her terms. She’s a fighter and her family fights with her, firmly in her corner as she battles IPF every day. 

September is lung fibrosis awareness month and ILFA is raising disease awareness and championing the cause of patients and the lung fibrosis community.  For more information, contact us at info@ilfa.ie or 086 8715264.