Sorry you feel that way. What ya got? How long you been dealing with it? Given a chance instead of ridicule, there might b some answers.

I was diagnosed with COPD with a 50% lung capacity in 1980. I have delt with a few othyer things along the way...brain aneurysm...cancer...and adrenal failure, and a pulmonmary embolism during chemo. As I progesss in this disease I find myself constanty on the mission to not allow myself to "become" the disease. I want to be the walking essence of myself not "emphysema" that enters the room and takes over..

I'm sorry it's been rough. Proves the point though that life can go on. Is your cancer lung related?

Thankfully the cancer was cured. I am seven years out. Thanks

Corgiller, you are getting sympathy and understanding from a guy who is in really bad shape himself. There is no gloom doom or sarcasm there,

I'm sorry. Have you reached out to see if there is a local COPD support group in your area. I was hoping for the same thing as you but just diagnosed last week with the disease. I did get my blood test results and it's not from an enzyme deficiency like my doctor thought it might based on my age and no smoking history or being around secondhand smoke. I've been told local hospitals usually have support groups. I'm too new to tell you how to cope with the disease. But I'm with you, I don't want to hear all doom and gloom. The only personal experience I had before this was when my own mother developed it but not until her 80's. Big difference when I am not quite 62 yet.

Being diagnosed with COPD has explained why the past few years what I thought were severe asthma attacks, especially on camping trips to the mountains or just walking up a hill or any incline when I didn't have a cold or bronchitis. Turns out I probably had it longer after discussing it with the doctor.

But I am using the 2 new inhalers like I am supposed to as I wait to be seen by a pulmonologist. I personally want to try to still enjoy life even though I do have other issues that make it somewhat difficult. You see a few years ago after having a total knee replacement, about year and a half afterwards I fell down my hardwood stairs and shattered that leg right below my new joint. Ever since I have been suffering from permanent pain in it from soft tissue and nerve damage. But I still try to do things even though I hurt worse when I am on my legs a long time.

I think it would help if we just told each other "You got this!" And sort of cheer each other on. What do you think?

I'm glad you're here. Some may thrive on sympathy. I have an 80 year old mother like that. Guess it comes with age. I don't know. Wish like hell we could all get together and go to the rodeo somewhere. Betty too. I'll even push the chair..... if we ain't in a hurry :)

Betty, who is she making unhappy? Certainly not me. Many of us think if we can't dance any more, we can a least tap our foot. We may not be able to lift heavy boxes, but we can determine what we can still lift. We are all probably not going to get out of this disease process alive. However we could all be hit by a bus tomorrow...so as they say "There is your plan and God's plan, and your plan doesn't matter." I refuse to becoe this disease, which is really difficult at times. But I was a college professor and a psychotherapist until I finally retired a year ago. The more I forced myself to do the more I stayed connected. Now retired, it's more difficut to do, but I give it an effort every day.

Lol. I hear ya. Saw a doc today and we had a conversation. What this and that. Being a shrink you know the score. I love Betty to death and never met her. I'd push that damned chair as far as I could. That's he gospel.

There are worse things than pink mist, I could do that. Maybe save a homeboy. Or a nephew. Just wanna do something. Make a difference. Go out fighting.