Serious disease is a scary thing, especially when it happens to someone you love so much. It might be wise to talk with her and with her doctor about your questions. These problems are often very individualized and a frank discussion with the doctor would come closer to helping you than reading all the articles on the internet. There is a lot of good information on the net, but it doesn't all apply to each indivudual and it doesn't always help you put things into context, and sometimes the way medical information is written is hard to understand.
Blessings, Kathy

Hi, Kendra, and welcome to this community of great people. I have PM but do not have ILD. Others here do have ILD, and I hope they will provide you with information and encouragement. In the meantime, here is a weblink to a blog called "Lenor's Journey." Lenor has PM and ILD (pulmonary fibrosis), but I think you will see that Lenor is doing quite well. I trust it will give you hope. (Just be sure to read it in chronological order.)
http://www.lenorsjourney.com/

Kendrac26, do not panic about ILD. Please keep in mind that God alone determines the time, manner, and place of anyone's death. Your mom, yourself and everyone will die only when it is God's time and disease has nothing to do with when someone will die. Your concern should be to find a good doctor and treatment so that your mother's condition will improve. I would find out about what equipment she will need and call around to see which medical supplier has the most inexpensive equipment. Get prices on treatment costs. See if her insurance company will help you to coordinate good and inexpensive care. Keep us posted.

I have pm with ild. She should try to go to the John Hopkins Myositis center in Baltimore as there is an ild speciatist there - dr. Danoff. She needs to have her pulmonary function tests every three months, get a flu and Pneumonia shot. She also should be in a pulmonary rehab program. Not sure where she lives and if she is seeing both a pulmologist and rheumatologist that communicate with each other. I was on prednisone at first and added cellcept. The important thing is to be on the right meds and be stable with the pft's. Hope this helps! -:)

She goes to Mayo at the moment. She's also on prednisone and cellcept.

It sounds like she is in great hands. That is a true blessing. Our journeys are all different and am thankful for each day. I can't answer your question as i am not a dr but I hope you and your mother have peace knowing God is in control and is working on her behalf. Read proverbs 3:5-6 as that is my verse that I have memorized for this part of the journey.

Hugs and blessings!
Ann -:)