Sue,
I appreciate your thoughtful, detailed response. I’d happened across the Mayo piece some time ago, but the "14 questions to ask" was new to me. It’s exceptionally helpful. (I was startled to learn that 90 percent of the fibrosis patients have GERD. I have it big-time.)

I’ll see my pulmonologist a week from Thursday in Asheville where the only thing we mine is tourist dollars. My uncle, a coal miner in West Virginia where I grew up, died of black lung. My family doctor has referred me to the Duke Lung Clinic in case a second opinion is warranted, and it probably will be.

I’ll let you know what develops. Thanks for asking. And thanks for helping get oriented to and get started on whatever’s ahead.
Bob