Never smoked, havent even had my breathing test yet but have questions
I received the comment "emphysemous changes" in the report on my chest Xray after a TIA like mental episode recently. I am scheduled for the breathing tests soon to "confirm" the diagnosis, but based on my own research, I have concluded there is a very high chance I have it. This is soooo surprising as I never smoked, am 71, in excellent shape, switched from road biking for 40 years to hiking and the stair climber at the gym. Working out is a big part of my day. In one article it said I might only lose 1-2 years of my life, which is remarkable. I also was cured, yes they used the cure word once they could use the PCR test for bone marrow transplant patients -of leukemia 27 years ago. I have no idea why I got that either - and the doctors dont know either most of the time. I feel so lucky to have gotten through a very challenging bone marrow transplant, and really cant complain about all the years of good health I have had. If you told me when I got leukemia, that in order to get through it, I would get emphysema in 25 years, I would have said "how fast can I sign up for that?" When I was diagnosed, all 7 people I knew that had it were dead. So I am hoping that I still have many good years before things get really worse. Comments?
Well, first I'll say let's not jump the gun before you get the diagnosis and even if it comes back positive it sounds like you are more of a "let's get one top of this" type of person so I'm sure you already have some sort of preliminary plan in place which always helped me to have less anxiety about stuff like this - having a plan in place, that it. As I'm sure the cancer taught you, though, sometimes all there is to do is wait and that was always the hardest part for me! Let's wait and see and then if you are diagnosed we can certainly help you with whatever you need! Keep us informed! Keep on keepin' on, DPM 
Dan has the right idea. Just for the sake of giving you some info, each person with COPD is different. Some decline quickly, others can live for decades. I'd say that most people fall in between that spectrum. (My grandmother, for example, lived until she was 83 and had COPD for at least 10 years.) And what each person is capable of doing varies quite a bit, too.
It sounds like you are pretty healthy and fit at this point, which is an asset if you do turn out to have COPD. Staying active within your comfort level is one of the best things you can do! Doing what you can to avoid infections is important, too. Maybe for you that means more hand washing, wearing a mask or limiting your contact with sick people. You'll figure out what feels right for you.
Generally speaking, COPD progresses slowly over time and there's a lot that can be done, both in lifestyle and medication, to further slow that progress. Of course, none of us can see the future and you should take any "timelines" you are given with a big grain of salt. Life is full of surprises, right? You are still here after having a lot of tough things thrown your way. So keep doing the things you enjoy and see what the testing shows. We're here to support you all the way! -Melissa, team member
