50 years ago, I never would have thought I would live this long. Live fast, dies young and leave a good looking corpse was the motto. 40 years ago I would have said I never want to rely on machines to live. 30 years ago I would have said I would never need medication for depression since I was such an upbeat, optimistic, Pollyanna type of person.
20 years ago I might have thought there was something wrong with my lungs, but I could do almost everything I wanted to with little or no difficulty. Fast forward 7 years, I was exposed to some chemicals at work and had to go to the walk in clinic. They sent me to a pulmonologist who diagnosed the COPD and put me on Spireva. I had none of the symptoms I have now, 8 years later I woke up one morning and I could not breathe. I remember being very scared. Went to the walk in. They gave me IV Steroids and an inhaler and sent me back to the pulmonologist and it has been down hill ever since.
I am on so many medications, I have to lay them out in a weekly pill box, one for morning, one for evening. I can't do anything physical anymore such as gardening, fishing or hunting. Most aspects of my life are compromised.
On the positive side, I am working to get on the transplant list, which even if I get on the list there is no guarantee I will get one. But I try to stay positive. It aint easy!
20 years ago I might have thought there was something wrong with my lungs, but I could do almost everything I wanted to with little or no difficulty. Fast forward 7 years, I was exposed to some chemicals at work and had to go to the walk in clinic. They sent me to a pulmonologist who diagnosed the COPD and put me on Spireva. I had none of the symptoms I have now, 8 years later I woke up one morning and I could not breathe. I remember being very scared. Went to the walk in. They gave me IV Steroids and an inhaler and sent me back to the pulmonologist and it has been down hill ever since.
I am on so many medications, I have to lay them out in a weekly pill box, one for morning, one for evening. I can't do anything physical anymore such as gardening, fishing or hunting. Most aspects of my life are compromised.
On the positive side, I am working to get on the transplant list, which even if I get on the list there is no guarantee I will get one. But I try to stay positive. It aint easy!
Replies
I know the progression you describe. Its scary and overwhelming. I have days like you do when I cant do anything. But I also have days where I can do alot. I dont have end stage empysema, I dont know what stage I have. I have COPD.
I want to give you a big hug and make it all better for you. I cant so, I will just say we are family here, we each are going thru our own journey. I am here if you ever need someone to vent to, cry too, yell at, or just want conversation. God Bless you. Vickie