My Cousin Gary Was an Ex-Marine, a Family Man, and Loved the Outdoors. Now He’s Dead of Covid Complications.

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Gary, an ex-Marine, tough as nails, died at age 65. We had just seen Gary briefly over the 4th of July weekend. He worked a physical job and was in shape. He loved fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Then August rolled around and he was hospitalized. No one knew why. He had been having trouble breathing. With no history of asthma or lung problems, they concluded it was an infection or something that could be fixed.

Then came the diagnosis too late- Pulmonary Fibrosis. Which has a 3–5 year survival rate, if one is lucky and diagnosed fast enough.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath

Gary had been very active with fishing, outdoor activities, and more his entire life. He did NOT fit the typical category of someone who develops PF-

Causes of pulmonary fibrosis include environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is the name for a…