Hi Tom
Welcome! YOu came to the right spot!
Everyone goes thru the shock and the "scared". Then.... you
pick yourself up, dust yourself off and decide what you can do for you!
First, you join this site (you have) where no question goes unanswered and you never go through anything alone.
Second...... exercise! best thing you can do.
Third..... take care of you by eating right and taking your meds.
Fourth... Keep positive, look for fun, and help someone along the way. (I like to call this....... paying it forward)
So talk again soon!

Hi tom, Welcome to our group. I am surprised that you found this support site so soon after diagnosis. You think very clearly to be in shock so that is a plus.

You do have to manage this disease yourself. The doctors give you their medical help, we will give you our experience. One is just as valuable as the other.

I have been diagnosed for a year this month and the thing that has helped me the most are the people on this site that are willing to answer any question and will do their best to make your current life easier.

Again, welcome and a good start is exactly what AZGram said above,

Hello Tom, and welcome to our "house of support". Or, at least that's how I've come the think of it in the last 4 weeks since I was diagnosed copd. It's a shock, but the shock will dissipate and you will get all the medical advice you need from your doc, and all the support you could ask for from the great group of folks who post here...

No question is too "dumb" to ask, and everyone is wonderfully supportive. Check back in tomorrow...

Thanks. I am sure I will have lots of questions real soon.
Exercise is going to be the hard part for me. I used to walk walk 30 miles a week. I did 5.5 miles in 1hr 23 min(and yes I smoked when I walked. So i think it negated the good parts out. LOL) Now it is 2 plus hours and I hurt bad after wards.
Eating will be easy, I like to eat. LOL
Again, thanks to everyone and I AM REALLY GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE BY ACCIDENT.

Hi Tom! Welcome to the group! I found this place by accident too about 6 weeks ago. I spent my first few days reading all the posts in "Discussions" and "Advice". Boy, did I learn a lot. Just to let you know...we all send lots of hugs and things! They really help when you are scared and unsure of your health now and in the future. Look out, here coms one now! See ya soon. Laurie

Hi Tom, I hope you receive the support you need here. This is such a wonderful group of people. And we are here for you!! I am a 57 year old female with lots of medical issues, and this group helps me more than I explaine!!
Luv, Becky

Tom, Hello and welcome to the group. You have found a great place for wonderful support and information. So....hang up ya hat, pull up a chair, kick up ya feet and jump in anytime you need to. Looking forward to learning more about you and reading your posts.
j

Hi Tom:
I was diagnosed at ae 43. On oxygen 24/7 for
months, then slowly quit using it. I had a good five years with few problems. That is because I immediately quit smoking. Then, after five years and no cigs, I got very upset over something and decided I would have just
ONE smoke. 4 1/2 years later, and I still battle nicotine addiction. The very best
thing you can do to prevent and slow COPD/
emphysema; is to quit smoking and stay quit.
I knew nothing until I joined DS about two
years ago. I was afraid to ask authority
figures (doctors) questions. Now, I drive them crazy with questions, and have learned
everything I can about emphysema. Take a
pro-active approach and you will have many
years of easy living ahead of you. Best wishes.

Hi Tom! Welcome to the group. I am new here too and also newly diagnosed with COPD and Emphy. We can learn together here as everyone is very supportive and friendly. I'm pretty scared too mainly because my first big 'episode' put me in the hospital for six days. I'm home now and coming along pretty well so far.

Linda

Hi Tom ... I was diagnosed with COPD several years ago. I went through the shock and the scared stages and then slipped right into denial. I wasted a lot of time not taking care of myself so I'm here to tell you please listen to these wonderful folks. Take this bull by the horns, learn all you can and be proactive in managing your care. Do whatever exercise you can manage (check into pulmonary rehab if it's available to you), don't neglect taking your meds and eat good healthy foods. Above all, if you're still smoking, find a way to stop. You can slow the progression of your COPD and maybe stop it in its tracks for a good long time but you're going to have to take control and work on it. Do keep a positive attitude and find pleasure in what you can do.

Looking forward to seeing how you progress.

Brenda