COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Hi Mikkar! My answer to both your questions is YES and YES.

I have exiled my self to my home because I am so afraid that I will catch something and end up in the hospsital again. It is no fun, and life is to short, especially mine.

I was going along pretty good until my doctor told me my life expectancy was about 4 years, and some of those will be a struggle. I am trying to improve those odds, and am considering a transplant.

Anyway, make sure the weather is good, to hot, to cold, to humid, is bad for you and will make it harder to breath. Check the ozone and pollen levels, anything that will affect the air you will be breathing along with your o2.

Take a mask, and wear it if it is real crowded, this is your life you are talking about, so do not worry what others think.

Take PLENTY of hand sanitizer and use it lot while picking up items, opening doors, going to the restroom(ESPECIALLY).

In other words, now you have to change you way of living a bit. Make sure the weather is good, your shoes are comfortable, there is a place to sit and rest, and use sanitary precautions, and enjoy that trip.

I fully intend to get back out there instead of hiding out, because I know before long, I really won.t be able to.

God bless you and good luck with it. I assume you will be taking a friend with you in case there is an emergency, which probably won.t happen. Just take precautions, and have fun . This is my opinopn....
BJ

I definitely feel like my world is getting smaller. But I have a nice reminder with our view of the valley that the real world is staying the same size. As to go or not, wow, that is definitely your decision. BJ had lots of good stuff to say about it.

I mostly stay at home. I love my home, but man, I get tired of it sometimes. I am a big fraidy cat and it is hard to talk myself into going anywhere, especially alone. If my husband is going with me then I'm good. Maybe that is part of this disease and realizing all the scary things that can happen if I'm by myself.

We live in the Sierra Nevada foothills and there is no cell service between us and the nearest city. If I plan to go to Merced without my husband I call my sister to let her know what time I'm leaving and then call her again when I get there. She is on alert to come get me if I get stuck. That makes me feel a little safer.

DeeDee

I have not stopped travelling at all, except I don't fly. My COPD is in the severe stage, but I have gone on cruises the last 3 years. I take my my nebulizer and my bipap machine packed in my luggage. I hand carry my meds. I make prior arrangements with my cruise planner to have a concentrator onboard and in my stateroom for the trip, and for the next cruise I will have a scooter onboard. I use my portable concentrator for day trips and activities and getting around the ship. This has worked out very well. The ship's staff has been outstanding where my needs are concerned and I have had a great time.

Also over the last 2 years I have been travelling solo by car to Louisville KY and back to Tampa. I pack all my equipment and meds and go. I make my reservations requesting a handicap room (which is on the 1st floor) and the hotel staff are quite helpful getting my equipment and luggage into the room.

I have made it a habit to try my best and not worry. And I have as much fun as I possible can. Also in answer to your question about is my world getting smaller, as much as I hate to admit it yes it is, because I won't fly, I am limiting where I am willing to go, and I don't believe there is a way around that.

I hope that my response has been helpful.

Take care, Bill

Yes,get out and enjoy life, I love to travel and I just have to change my destinations a little because I can't handle the heat anymore.I do try to talk myself out of going out with friends to movies or dinners but the more I try and talk myself out of it, then I know I should go,and I'm always glad I do.( I became agoraphobic for 2 years in my late 20's, now I just get out.)

I also make road trips and just pack everything and go. I prefer to stay in hotels rather than private homes because of the inconvenience of using a room concentrator and maybe disturbing the homwowners as I do not sleep much at night. I can also go at my own pace in showering and dressing. In other words I can travel and see relatives but be able to stay on my own schedule and it works really well.

Flying is not my first choice of travel anymore and I really enjoy the road trips. Whether it is a two hour or a two day trip, just go prepared for emergencies and I am sure we all have a good idea by now what we know we need to have at our fingertips.

Of course, by not flying my world has become smaller but I may try it again someday for international trips. It is something to plan and look forward to but not necessarily a must for me to enjoy life as I know it now.

I do not feel comfortable traveling along but fortunately I have a husband that is the worlds' best traveler.

BJ, you aren't really hiding , you are just getting your bearings and we all have been there. The best to you .

Anna

I was told by my Dr. not to go out anymore than I have to. I have really bad allergies and sinus and the heat and humidity do me in. So I have to stay indoors and dream about going out. Maybe when it gets cooler I will be able to venture out more. My big day out is to the Dr. office :)

Nope. I insure I have the things I need for at least twice as long as I plan to be gone. Then I go. If something happens we deal with it.
I have to remember that I have this disease. It's also good for me to keep in mind It does not own me.
It takes me far longer to get to places and do certain things because of this disease. But letting it stop me I don't consider an option.
I accept that I can't fly or deal with high altitudes. So I'd take a southern route to go back east - taking longer to get there.
Enjoying what we have is far better than lamenting what what could be.

Hugs,
Dennis

I find the more I push myself to do something I'm not sure I should do - the better I feel when I do it. The operative statement is "I'm not sure I should do" i.e. the Dr. didn't say I shouldn't. If the DR. says I shouldn't then I won't, but so far so good - my world is no smaller today than yesterday, but I'm sure a lot has to do with my life many, many years ago. I never will be a candidate for the Olympics, but I knew that when I was 8!

Seems I have gotten more "busy dying, instead of more busy living".......definitely need to change that!!!!!!!!!!!......Maybe tomorrow:):)

Mikkar......I say "GO FOR IT"..............don't fall into MY rut..............go and enjoy yourself:):)

All of your comments are wonderful and I thank you. But wow, debbear your response really hit me. Made me think! Sounds like that is what I am doing, too.

Thank heavens I do have my husband to go along and he is such a dear!