Ashamed to tell people
A few people know about my COPD and they have been supportive. Mostly though, I don't tell anyone because of afraid of having them think "Well, she smoked. She deserves it." Yes, I did smoke. I think i'm being secretive about it not only because of my smoking history but because of some terrible actions by some people when I had breast cancer. Does anyone else keep COPD secret to avoid judgement? I'm not sure how to deal with this.
I am a Vet. I spent time overseas where incinerating waste was common. There are areas in the US with an AQI that is horrible more than it is good, especially before the pollution controls of the 80-90 period. Smoking is like a drop in a large bucket. Some folks get it and never smoked. Some folks who smoke, never get it. Those that think less of you as a person and look at this as a self-inflicted gunshot wound are hypocrites and do not really deserve my time and attention. They do not know my life story, and I sure as hell am not going out of my way to explain it to them. I am sick. You are sick. It happens, and there is no shame in it any more than for some high schooler who jumps a fence and breaks a leg. Thiers will heal. Ours is for life.
