Newly diagnoed
Hi, I am Mieke and my husband Charles was diagnosed with COPD stage 2 today. From Wednesday on he has to start using an inhaler, and they will come talk to us in about 3 weeks about physio and maybe a diet as he should gain some weight.
We knew before we went to the test that his lungs showed a light form of COPD, but our doctor was not really worried about it, until she came to the house (I am bedridden) and checked his lungs and discovered she could not hear them too good, so she made an appointment for us to go for a test. The nurse concluded from the test that he has not only COPD in his lungs but also in the rest of his airways. To be honest that hit us like a brick when we heard that and I am still very emotional about this. He already has RA and heart problems and psoriasis, and with my CRPS1 that keeps me on the bed and now this, I find it very hard to cope with it all. I have no idea what to expect next, and I have looked around on the internet and I am very scared of losing him to this disease......
Can anybody please tell me what to expect? We got a little booklet but I just want to know what is coming at us now from all sides. We already have nurses running around for both of us so that is only going to increase now.
Can anybody tell me what kind of treatment we can expect and how I as a wife can be the best support for my husband? I can't help him physically but I would like to be able to support him mentally and help him through this. Any tips would be very welcome.
Thanks in advance,
with love,
Mieke from The netherlands.
Mieke,
Thanks for reaching out to our community. We are sorry to hear all that your husband and yourself are going through, it certainly is a lot to handle and we are glad you shared your story. We certainly want to support you in anyway we can.
While the community may provide you with some additional support, I thought I'd give you some articles that may be helpful in understanding the stages of COPD as well as treatments.
"Explaining COPD stages" https://copd.net/basics/copd-stages/stages-explained
We commend you for reaching out to us and encourage you to speak to your husband's doctor since everyone's treatment plan and condition varies.
Wishing you both the best and please come back and let us know how you both are doing.
Best,
Lauren (Team Member)
Hi Mieke and welcome to our website.
I think Lauren has steered you in the right direction with the link she provided to some very suitable articles for you to get started.
As well, we appreciate your inquiry about what you can do (for him) as a caregiver. I thought you might find any of these articles to be helpful in that regard: This one on caregivers: https://copd.net/caregiver/can-caregiverWe are always here to lend support, an understanding ear and a wealth of helpful, scientific-base information.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator)
