Frustrated
I’m 66 years old and was diagnosed Stage 3 in September 2019. I’ve been on oxygen 24/7 ever since. At first I was frightened to do anything and found myself getting fatigued easily. I gained some weight and then COVID hit and I gained even more! Needless to say everything became more difficult. A trip up the stairs required me to sit for a few seconds to catch my breath and I had no stamina. I was not happy with myself!
When I was diagnosed I immediately quit smoking and never looked back. Over the past year and 1/2, I have completely changed the way I was eating (low carbs now, more fruit and veggies) and I’ve lost 70 pounds. I ride a recumbent bike for an hour a day five, usually six days per week. I do all the housework (dragging that dreaded cord around!) and cooking. I want to lose about 30 more pounds but am finding that difficult. I love to eat and refuse to starve myself! 😂
I feel like I have done all the right things and am proud of myself for improving my situation. I started out on 3 ltrs of oxygen and have been able to bring that down to 2 1/4. I have a portable carrier that allows me to go out and I do that regularly.
With all that, I still have bad days where I get frustrated with this disease. We have a small ranch and my husband does all the outside work which really adds up. I’m so grateful for it. He still smoke but not in front of me and not around the house. I don’t nag him because I know that it is different for each person. I wish he would quit but I’ve put that in God’s hands. This morning his hip was bothering him. He tripped over my cord and when I asked him what was wrong he said that he said that unlike me he couldn’t sit on a bike for hours. I took that to mean he thought I was laze or something. It’s times like this that I get frustrated because unless you have this disease you have no idea how taxing it can be. That bike has enabled me to lose weight, reduce my oxygen and given me energy that I wouldn’t otherwise have. That’s motivation enough for me to keep going. But when I get comments like that it makes me feel like he truly doesn’t understand, and I suppose that’s normal but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt and isn’t demotivating.
Sorry for the rant. Just had to share.
Nancy
Nancy you are a SUPERSTAR! Wow, have come so far in a very short period of time, keep going no matter what. At times when there is weight loss involved I believe there is a time our bodies "plateaus" for a bit, taking a break for a bit. Just keep eating healthy and exercising, maybe change a little something on your routine, but in time I would hope your body would comply with your needs. Wish I knew for sure, but I am just a regular person like you.
As for the comment(s) your husband might have, well he could be feeling a little frustrated with himself, for you stated he is still smoking, or he could be frustrated with the situation all together. Not giving any excuses for treating you with a sharp tongue, that should never happen, but it does at times. Best thing I could suggest is try talking with him when the "stress" of that heated moment is over and let him know how he makes you feel, remind him of what you were and what you are now and how the bike helped with all that and you would like to keep that going so he will not have to start taking over household duties too! Suggest maybe that he could get a part time helper for a couple hours here and there if possible money wise, if not then down sizing on the Ranch work to make it more manageable for him as he is getting older and you are hoping he will not be affected by COPD also being a current smoker still. Yes, bring that up to him, but in a respectful way of course.
Hoping that you continue on your positive mood and continue everything you need to so you will remain as healthy as possible. You have done so remarkable! Doristhanks so much for the reply! I know I’m not alone in how I’m feeling. My attitude has been to make the best of this situation and I know that in order to do that I have to do the work. My husband does pretty well but at times I don’t think he realizes I am afraid to do certain things. And you’re so right that I need to tell him how he makes me feel when he makes comments like he made today. Again, thank you! It's hard on us all. I am stage 4, been at this a little while and we (hubby and I) still every so often go through something similar, it's all usually frustrations getting the best of one or both of us. Most days we make fun of our "disabilities" or "aches and pains" . I am 60, he is 77. He is "OLD" and I have "GRAY HAIR" to blame everything on. Tripping over the O2 hose is not fun, just like dragging it around and getting wrapped around my ankles, but the dance I do, to get out of the tangled web I guess is pretty fun to watch, so I am told anyway. Sense of humor helps quite a bit. Try to stay positive, its the best we can do for ourselves.
Thanks! I spoke to him about his comment and he said he was just joking, he would never be mad about it because he knows I do it for my health (ride my bike). When he said it he was upset about having to go out in the weather to tend to our horses so maybe it came off wrong. Your response lightened my day, especially your description of the ‘dance’. LOL
Words with Friends was the best! I haven't played it in ages, all my friends quit. 🙁 My current favorite word game is Wordscapes -- basically you come up with as many words as possible from one set of letters. It's calming, somehow. Check it out if you want! -Melissa, copd team thanks, I’ll try it!
