Tough Love!

I went for a PFT last month. I’m stage 2 COPD. The tech asked me a few questions about my symptoms and lifestyle. She listened to my responses and then said, “Oh right! You’re THAT guy. I remember you. You exercise a lot.” She was the same tech that administered the test with me a year ago.

I thought the conversation that followed was very interesting. She proceeded to tell me that not many people with COPD take the initiative to improve their own situation. She said, “People come here and spend 10 minutes with the pulmonologist and expect their problems to be solved. Then they go home and sit on the couch.” She went on to tell me that “One man last week got very irate with me because I suggested his breathing would improve if he stopped smoking.”

I was surprised to hear her say these things. Of course, for those that are in a very severe condition, exercise is not an option.

A friend’s mother died a couple months ago from COPD. One of the last things she said to him was “I should have taken this more seriously in the beginning. I didn’t know it could progress so fast.” That was scary to hear. That kind of thing makes me double down on my level of activity.

I have a lot of anxiety about having COPD because I can’t fix it, no matter what I do. I do get some comfort from knowing that I’m putting forth so much effort to remain stable, at least for the moment.

The above experiences are learning moments for me. They help me stay focused.