One of the last things Jim Woodcock talked about with his daughter Pam Duguay, was his wish for the family to raise money for the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF), to help fund research into this terrible disease.
“I’m glad to say our family was able to gather together this September to take part in the Walk for PF in Ottawa. Our family and friends raised $1,400. I think Dad would be proud of us.”
Jim died in January 2025 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73 years old.
Jim’s PF journey
Jim Woodcock had a terrible cough for years, but it was only during a trip to the ER, in 2019 for a cold that just got worse, that he was tested for pneumonia and lung scarring showed up on the CT scan. That’s when Jim and Pam, who had taken him to the hospital, first learned of pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
Like most people receiving this news, he and his family had never heard of the disease. Again, like so many others, Jim went online and was quite devastated by what he read.
Jim was referred to ILD specialist Dr. Moran in Kingston, where the family lives. He was prescribed pirfenidone. He did suffer from side effects, especially a few bad sunburns.
Jim was a pro-active patient: He did a great deal of research, joined the clinic’s support group, as well as CPFF’s Facebook group. “Even his doctor remarked on how well informed he was,” says Pam.
And then the pandemic struck. Jim and his family were very conscientious about making sure he was not exposed to COVID-19. Support group meetings continued on Zoom and he kept communicating and researching online.
Throughout his PF journey, Jim experienced about five exacerbations, requiring hospitalization. Each time his condition deteriorated.
The emotional toll
“My Dad was a strong, hard-working guy,” says Pam. “He worked as a lineman for 36 years at Utilities Kingston. He liked to do the yard work and outdoor things. It was very hard for him to have others do these things for him. He’d get frustrated and angry. He always apologized, but it was hard for all of us. And there was anxiety too.”
Jim was quite independent and able to care for himself, until his last hospitalization. And, it wasn’t until his last year, that he relented to using oxygen most of the time. “He was stubborn about it until then,” says Pam.
It was difficult for the family to see his decline. His granddaughter Chelsea found watching him struggle with the disease and being unable to help him was heart-wrenching.
“His passing left a void that can never be filled,” she says. “I was very close to my grandpa. I’m only 27 and it feels like a I lost a dad. The experience made me realize the importance of cherishing every moment and appreciating the simple things in life.”
Honouring Jim’s life
For Chelsea, her grandfather’s passing also, “ignited a fire in me to raise awareness about pulmonary fibrosis and support research efforts, so that families might be spared the pain and suffering we endured.”
Pam saw photos of the CPFF Walks on Facebook and thought this would be a great way to honour one of their father’s last wishes. “My mother Donna, daughter Chelsea, husband Ernest, my sisters Ashley and Jaime, Ashley’s daughter Leah and family friend Ganesh Murugan all signed up for the Ottawa Walk, the closest one to us in Kingston.
“It was incredibly moving seeing so many people come together – families, and people living with pulmonary fibrosis – all united in hope and support was powerful,” says Chelsea. “There was a real sense of community and determination, which made me feel less alone in hopes of a cure and awareness for pulmonary fibrosis.”
Advice for other families facing PF
Pam would encourage caregivers and family member to do their best to provide emotional support. “Just be there and listen,” she says. Accompanying your loved one to various appointments is also important. “It’s a supportive action and helps keep you informed too.”
Chelsea emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers. “It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of caregiving and forget your own needs, but you can’t pour from an empty cup,” she says. Prioritize your physical and mental health and seek support from others.