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 would like advice on telling adult children of my diagnosis. I know the first thing they will do is go on line and the information on line is grim.
Welcome, although I am sorry your have COPD.
I don't know what your situation is, or what stage your COPD is.
COPD is a very slow progressive disease and for many of us there is a good quality of life for a long time.
There are variables and some of us have other health issues in play.
I think be honest with your adult children, chances are they already know your having some problems with your breathing, as COPD also develops over a long period of time.
I am sure others here might have some good advice for you.
I hope this helps just a little.
I hope today is an easy breathing day for you kberber.
Hugs,
Holly
I am new to this so I hope I am responding to you correctley. My story is I was diagnosed two years ago with stage three in fact my pulmonologist said I was two points from stage four. I had gotten very sick and was in the hospital. I suspected I had emphysema for many many years but kept it to myself. I do pretty good day to day. It seems of late some days are a little more difficult. Both our chldren live out of town so when we are all together it is so special I just cannot seem to tell them. The way I feel there is not much that can be done for this horrible disease so why burden them till I absolutley have to. My husband who is a tremedous support wants me to tell them as he feels they have the right to know. I don't know maybe I am still trying to come to terms with it. It just seems it is always there in my mind and I am getting a bit down over it. I am slowly seeing the progression of things I can no longer do. Your advice would be so helpful. I guess I am reaching out to someone who is going through the same thing.
and i'd imagine alot of us do it differently, for whatever reason.
when you come to terms with it....you'll tell them. but first,i'd hope that you learned as much as you can (ask doctor, research, etc).
alot can be done to slow it.....so, check into those things (rehab, or even exercising on your own)
good luck.
ps...my kids found out right away! i came home from the diagnosis on o2~! wasnt much denying i could do!
Like Marge, wasn't my choice to tell my adult chilodren. An unexpected hospital visit of a week gave my kids plenty of time to quiz the doctors, nurses, etc and by the time I came home on oxygen, they pretty well understood.
The point I would like to make is that there is a really strong chance that your kids have alreadyy noticed what is happening when you are together and are just wanting to allow you the time to tell them what is going on. You just can't cover up all of your symptoms.
Emphysema is a progressive disease so it "progresses" but at what speed can be your call to some degree. Staying active and keeping your body as healthy as possible and following your doctor's orders goes a long way to slow the progress.
I don't have a clue how your children will accept this but mine did just fine and now do things that helps Mom and we are closer than ever. I actually told them to go to reputable sites on the internet and check this out but discuss with me before jumping to any conclusions.
Decide how you will approach it with them and have your husband be your backup.
My heart and thoughts as well as a lot of the folks here will be your silent partners there with you.
I think you have to be ready yourself to tell your adult children, but I also think it may become more difficult the longer you wait.
Have your children noticed your breathlessness, talking on the phone or when you have been together?
Next time they comment on your breathless may be a good time to say something, explaining you've seen the doc and had some tests done and have been diagnosed with COPD.
Just tell it how it is for you. Maybe mention (if you are) in the process of arranging to go to a pulmonary rehabilitation course which will help you further to manage the breathlessness etc
I'm sure your children will want to know.
It was different for me, I was really ill before I was diagnosed and family members were always asking about my test results, so they sort of knew same time as I did myself.
My Mom kept her COPD condition from me for a long time--I felt a little hurt that she hadn't been able to confide in me, and that I wasn't there to help her more. I have a feeling that your children would also prefer to know for sure what's going on. (Of course that just my opinion). I pray that you will find the opportunity to open up about this soon. Worrying about it is probably stressful for you.
Keep us posted on what's going on, okay? This is a very supportive group!
Thank you for your support and advice. I am praying to do the right thing and wil keep you posted. I am not sure my responding to people is getting to them as I am not that savey on the computer. Please let me know if you received this.
Rosey