Suzanne Frizzell

Suzanne was diagnosed with fibrotic Nonspecific Insterstitial Pneumonitis in spring of 2018, a form of Insterstitial Lung Disease / Pulmonary Fibrosis. The cause of this disease is unknown, but one contributing factor can be stomach acid getting into the lungs and creating lesions and scars. For 5-6 months she has been on Imuran, an anti-inflammatory that we hoped would help her regain some lung function by reducing the inflammation in her lungs. On Monday, July 30th, 2018, she underwent surgery to correct a hiatal hernia and to do a Nissen fundoplication so as to stop her GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux), which is a typical treatment for various forms of ILD. But after the surgery her NSIP flared up, and she has had to be on oxygen ever since then. She is currently in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, on a two-week treatment of Cytocan and IVIG. We are hoping this treatment works so that she can move to rehab and recovery and eventually come home.