Soooo many things i miss that i cannot put a MOST.........but if i was to pick one, then it is just being able to take a shower....not even daily, im talking about, 3-4 times a week was a battle between procrastination and mental self talk.........Now only a nice hot bath and dressing gown to dry me.......showers made me so SOB it was just a scary thing to try n look forward to, when once, it was just something you automatically did........

....I'd also like to be reminded what ''normal'' felt like..

the worst part of this disease is the isolation & fear of catching diseases/being sick.

I miss being spontaneous...Just pick up and go, even in the middle of the night. I live very near a casino and several others within a 1 hr drive....they are open 24/7...loved them all.

Was almost spontaneous recently. My grandson and his friend arrived on a Thurs evening late (around12AM) they were going to sleep at my house & we would leave Fri morning to drive to ATL. Well, they said they would do all the driving and how about we leave tonite. Yes, yes! we left at 1 am....that's the closest, I have been to being spontaneous.

Yes, Mchughirene, I miss dancing. My husband & I loved dancing.

Last time I was around live music, I got SOB while chair dancing. lol

I miss being able to do simple repairs and chores. I used to do lots of small projects around the house, on my car, or lawnmowers, etc. Installing a new door bell; replacing a faulty actuator; maintaining small engines (air filter, fuel filters, cleaning our carb and plugs; putting up shelves; fixing a cabinet door; replacing a pane of glass, blah, blah. All so simple, so basic, and once so trivial, but now it takes all I have to assemble the tools, parts, fasteners, glues/paint/stains/varnish/solvents , Then it is wait an hour or so before I have the energy to start, then depending two or three breaks until its done then total exhaustion after cleaning up.

Even the simplest task is becoming a PITA, to the point Im just like Gwapo procrastination and mental self talk - building myself up for the next one. Frankly I usually lose that debate and let the next one go till maana. Smile.

I am with jarca. The worst part is the fear. Of exacerbations. Of not being able to breathe. Of being around someone who is a little sick. Grrr.

And with gwapo. So true about the showering. And with gnott. Can't do the dishes without taking a few breaks. And with mchugh. I loved doing aerobics and dreamed of pole dancing. Whatsauname, I have never been very spontaneous, so now I just wish I could be. :)

I gave up regular sleep & wake hours a while back. I am up or asleep whenever....

Basically we miss who we once were.....Keeping at the back of our minds that it is'nt going to get any better and probably the opposite, no wonder we get depressed and get overwhelmed with the feeling of hopelessness. Include financial worries and not being able to change that, is also a worry.

I remember isolation well but for another reason....it can drag you to the edge of the cliff with lonliness......Physically i cannot join in with my usual old crowd so i replaced them with fellow travellers that live locally....We plan a monthy coffee meet or day out depending on the weather...Plus none of us can plan ahead as we just do not know if a good or bad day awaits......

Online chatrooms, FB and researching my favourite topics on the net n you tube are ways i fill in my days...n yes everything works around my doggie....

Yes Gnott i was a do it yourself, hands on person except with anything Ikea....

Since I'm also aging, I try to accept getting older as something that happens. What is the alternative? I miss just being a bit younger. I was a pretty strong young lady and I could mentally rev myself up to move the refrigerator and voila done. Doesn't work like that anymore, (mental adjustment) the refrig is perfectly fine where it is - I'll just move one or two shelves or maybe just one probably tomorrow.

Music - I heard some stomping music today. If nothing else I have good memories.

These are just a few things. I miss riding roller coasters, I miss not being able to take a deep breath, I miss not being able to walk up my driveway. I miss not having panic attacks. I miss not being tired all the time. Oh and how I love to dance. Boy do I miss that.

Ladybug: I got a little winded just reading your entry! They are the same things I miss as well.

Joany: "aging" : Like a bottle of fine wine I bet!

Breathe fine everyone. Jim

As well as everything listed so far, I miss hiking, camping and fishing.
I have made peace with many changes physically, and mentally in the past 5 years. We have an acre in the Sierra National Forest that was going to be our get away spot for most of the summer each year. No electricity up there-solar won't work, and I would go broke trying to keep enough batteries for a POC. There's just no way around it, that is over for me. Nearest town is 60 miles away, a 2 hour drive each way,
so getting new tanks is out, too. However, I do love life. Family, friends and my bird keep me busy and loved. Can't ask more then that. :o)
I think we all appreciate each new day. I know I do, never taking another sunrise for granted again.
Take care, I hope you all are enjoying the change of season, too.
Linda In CA

I miss several things not being able to work, mowing my own lawn, season changes, going to football games, playing basketball with my grandsons, going to the mountains, etc. I just celebrated no antibiotics in 8 mo. 2 wks ago. I went to doc yesterday very sob and wheezing, now on 10 day antibiotics and prednisone. I do still enjoy being alive, but I just wish I did not have to think about each breath.

I miss just not being able to go as fast as I use to,walking or bike riding, or anything with my daughter or son, they seem to be six steps ahead before they remember me.

There are a laundry list of things I wish I could still do, most simple like walking barefoot on the beach, with no rollator, sitting on the floor with my grandson and playing and then getting up soon because everything hurts.

BJ

Good to see you again Silver Fox. I find I have to force myself to do some things. I've learned to pace myself, use my rescue inhaler and my M-6 traveling O2 when I'm outside and everything seems to fall in place. One thing I truly miss the most is the beautiful ocean. Being a thousand miles away from land and just me, the sea and the glorious stars and moon caressing me. I loved what I did and now look forward to a new career. I wish every one of you that are suffering nothing but positive and good things in your life. Thank you for your advice, kind words and support...Bless u all.