COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I woke this morning to read on my other COPD group that 3 of my closest frinds had died. Am heartbroken. So sad. Will miss them plenty! Pray they'll meet up in a better place. Go well, my girlfriends.
So sad, too, that I can't cry like I used to - my sobs sound like some demented dinosaur grunt, my lungs felt ready to burst and my breath evapourated into thin air. How terrible is that not being able to cry properly? Never in my wildrest dreams did I imagine that COPD would rob me of my most basic emotion. :-((((((((((((((
So sad, too, that I can't cry like I used to - my sobs sound like some demented dinosaur grunt, my lungs felt ready to burst and my breath evapourated into thin air. How terrible is that not being able to cry properly? Never in my wildrest dreams did I imagine that COPD would rob me of my most basic emotion. :-((((((((((((((
So I'm not crazy after all! Honestly, your stories each had a bit of me in them. Reading them was like seeing a reflection of myself in a pond.
Gnott, you make me smile - I've lost count the number of times I wanted to blow raspberries through my plastic smile when anyone asked (though well intended) "Are you okay?" when that's all I ever want to be ... okay. :-) :-) :-) lol
SimplyDani, wow, you wrote my story to the T, only way better! How did you know how I felt? Weird, like we're sistas. Thank you
((((((((((((((( GROUP HUGS ))))))))))))))
So I'm not crazy after all! Honestly, your stories each had a bit of me in them. Reading them was like seeing a reflection of myself in a pond.
Gnott, you make me smile - I've lost count the number of times I wanted to blow raspberries through my plastic smile when anyone asked (though well intended) "Are you okay?" when that's all I ever want to be ... okay. :-) :-) :-) lol
SimplyDani, wow, you wrote my story to the T, only way better! How did you know how I felt? Weird, like we're sistas. Thank you
Cindy292, I can share your sad loss - my mom died of pancreatic cancer and my dad's lung cancer spread to his brain. They both died in the 80's but their courage and optimism still inspires me today. I never got to meet Dennis or hear his final story but, like you, I'm more terrified of the HOW more than the WHY or WHEN. But as you say, take each day as it comes and enjoy it while we can.
BreatheBetter, your "vida es buena" philosophy is a reminder to us all that life is as good or as miserable as we choose to make it. I agree, if you rest you rust.
And Gwapo, in today's society where men are supposed to be macho and hard as nails, I embrace you for your honesty and sincerity by sharing your feelings with us. It does the soul a power of good to let the dog loose. Thank you.
This is what this forum is all about - linking elbows with each other to share, care, comfort and laugh through our stories. Am sending garlands of prayers to pretty up your day. Blessing to all.
Sometimes I wake up with tears rolling down my face, I wonder if I cry in my sleep. I feel for you All, as we share this disease and try to cope.
HUGS TO ALL !!!!!
Your stories have touched my heart.
Your post about your loss and then the one you wrote later replying to LilEllie had me crying, too. It was like you read my mind and was saying how I feel. Taking a phase from one of my old favs-- strummin' my pain with your fingers, singin' my life with your words, killing me softly.... :( Then I felt selfish and started crying for my daughter because she has missed out on so much because of an automobile accident when she was 19. At least I had a good healthy 65 years. Then all the other posts on that thread, so sad.
Then came the other conversation about muscle weakness. And I cried for all of you (and me). I can hardly pick up my cat and he is not fat-- about 11 pounds. My muscle weakness is all the time, not just when I'm SOB. Makes me wonder about doing all those weight lifting exercises-- when is it going to help!! I don't seem to be getting any better, maybe worse even!!
Enough of that, sorry to be so long winded. I am sorry about your loss. And, I'm sorry for all of us. I'm normally a very positive person and I don't talk much about my feelings or how I feel, but those two conversations just kinda brought it all home. Plus I've been having some bad days--can't put a finger on it, just don't feel good.
But this too shall pass. I'll pick myself up by my bootstraps and grab my nose hose and be on my way!! :)
Have a blessed easy-breathing day!
I too feel your sorrow over losing your friends. I/we have lost many friends just from this group. Like Anna, the tears just roll down my cheeks when a friend has slipped away. It took on a more personal edge for me and my family today as we buried my brother today. My younger sister is still in the hospital ( since early Feb) as a result of her stage 4 emphysema. Like a few have said in previous replies re: don't let the disease define you. I have to say, in agreement, how can you not let it define everyone of your emotions, your feelings, the way you/we can't do the things we once were able to do!? We also have to remember too that it has a profound effect on our family relationships as well. My Parkinson Disease can be masked with surgical implants in my brain and medicine that I have to take at 2 hour intervals each day. But, there are no meds available to curtail the symptoms of my acute end stage emphysema. By saying that it means total agreement with Anna: I amplify her statement: "BS" !!!
Like you, I also doubt whether these tin can arm curls and leg raisers are doing any good - been at it for months now and still not strong enough to play Fetch. Oh well, we all have our Everests to climb so perhaps these exercises help our mental strength. Just so long as I can hold onto my knitting needles & crochet hook I'm strong enough.
Keep on singing your favourite song as it's an open flood gate for all your hurt and anguish. Sing and let it out. Hope you perk up and feel better real soon. Blessings to you and your daughter.
Dear Silfoxx, how dreadful that you've witnessed the cruelty of this disease through your brother & sister. And you also have to deal with your Parkinsons. My heart goes out to you. Oddly, my brother was diagnosed with Parkinsons about 2 yrs ago - lord know where that comes from because it isn't in the family. So sad. I mirror your sentiment that we're not made of stone so we and those around us suffer too. My sincere ((((hugs)))) for the loss of your brother.
I found this beautiful poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye .....
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow.
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain.
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom.
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave bereft
I am not there. I have not left."
:-)))) Leonie xx