June is Worldwide LAM Awareness Month (WWLAM). Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, incurable lung disease. Sarah was diagnosed with LAM in 2010. Since then, we’ve connected with many other women with LAM around the world. In honor of WWLAM 2018, we’re excited to share some of their stories and give you a glimpse into what it’s like living with LAM. Because as important as it is to find a cure for LAM, it’s just as important to improve the quality of life of women living with LAM.
What it’s like living with LAM
Think about all the things you do on a typical day. Think about all the roles you play and hats you wear. Now think about what it would be like to do those things if you were struggling to breathe or if you couldn’t walk more than a few minutes without stopping or if you were so tired you couldn’t get out of bed when you woke up. These are the everyday struggles women with LAM (and many people with other debilitating chronic illnesses) face. Seven women with LAM shared their stories with us – and Sarah added hers as well. Click the buttons below to get to know them and what they go through.
Improving quality of life for women with LAM
Luckily, The LAM Foundation and many doctors treating this disease see improving quality of life for women living with LAM as a top priority. Last year, The LAM Foundation dedicated one of their LAMposium meetings to facilitating discussions about quality of life issues with patients and doctors to further research and treatment in this area as well. The next LAMposium is this September in Cincinnati.