Five Years In

By Barbara Moore

2 min read

A few days ago, I quietly and somberly celebrated the 5th anniversary of my journey with COPD and heart failure. Those that have had my experience often call this our rebirth. The first two years I shouted from the rooftops “I made it! I am alive!”

This year the anniversary was old news and nobody remembered but me. So, I kept it to myself and found gratitude there. Here is a summary of what I have learned about my disease and myself in the last 5 years.

Clear your clutter

Remove physical and emotional clutter. Minimize fall and tripping hazards, give yourself some space to stretch and exercise while staying safe.

Think about mats, rugs, and those excess decorations. Shelves of books? Your tubing for oxygen will get caught in everything. It's time to minimize clutter.

Remove carpets, pillows, and throws - anything that can hold dust or mold. Talk to your flooring supplier about installing an allergy-free material that is scratch resistant. We have premium vinyl which works great.

Replace light bulbs using energy-efficient lighting. A well-lit path can help to minimize falls and boost your confidence by keeping you safe and saving you money. Wash all draperies at least once a year. Better yet, take all the draperies down and leave them down. Enjoy the sunshine every day. Remember to use a mask and ask for help, this is a lot of work.

Find inner peace and start living

Surround yourself with kindness. Learn to forgive yourself and others. Keep your body, mind, and soul well-nourished. Start a journal of your COPD journey and write a sentence a day. Recognize what you are grateful for and start a gratitude journal. Meditate and practice mindfulness.

Give yourself permission to exercise daily. Exercise is one of the things that most doctors agree on. Make this investment in yourself with a ‘do not cancel’ reminder. It is all about having the best future you can have.

Turn off the news and listen to the music that you enjoy. Play it loud and sing along, you have kept it in too long. Take time to read your favorite genre of good books. Don’t put the book down until you are ready to put it down.

Take your turn

You took care of everyone else, now it’s your turn to be taken care of. Ask for help. Have a coffee and cake/cleaning party. Make the things you do be the things that matter. Stop apologizing - there is nothing to apologize for.

I worked for 40 years but I am no longer working now. Today, I am the boss of the rest of my life. While keeping a work schedule may suit you, I never wanted to work until I died and I prefer my life to be a bit more flexible. This allows me to take life a little easier in my twilight years.

How about you? What have you learned along your COPD journey? Share with us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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whirledpeas Member
Hi, Barbara, Great article, and one which I will read many times. It prompts me to ask for your help in thinking this through, if you can. I don't think I have forgiven myself for smoking, although I quit, after many attempts and several short-lived successes, in 1999. I started in college, in the sixties, and had quit four times, for a total of six years, before I finally made it stick just before the new century. I have never looked back. Though that finally was a success, I have carried around the weight of all those cigarettes for the last twenty-plus years. I had a chest CT today, prior to seeing my pulmonologist on Friday, and the inevitable question came up. "Did you ever smoke cigarettes?" From that point on, I was guilty. I didn't even deserve to use the machine. I did this to myself. Two years ago last September, on my 70th birthday, hospitalized again, not in good shape, in the ICU, the nurse said to me, apropos of nothing, "Emphysema is very hereditary." I clung to that for a long time, because my Mom's dad and her brother both died of lung disease. So maybe it wasn't my fault. Also, my sister and two of my brothers are now showing the same diagnosis. But that would be too easy. I should have known not to start, since my relatives obviously had bad lungs. I know I am hard on myself, but I really can't complain. and it was ten years after I quit that I was diagnosed with emphysema. They used to say that after you quit smoking, your lungs eventually went back to their former perfect, pink state. Mine didn't, and it's only my fault. How do you forgive yourself for that?
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Whirledpeas, it might be impossible for you to move forward unless you can find the way to forgiving yourself. Remember that smoking was encouraged, it was a way of life and everyone was doing it, if only to stay slim. Even if you didn't smoke everyone around you did and second hand smoke surrounded us. Please find forgiveness for yourself as you would forgive others. Shed this guilt and mòve on to selfcare. It is the only way. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author)
Liana Collet Moderator
Absolutely loved this article Barbara. We're in the process of looking for our new forever home in the UK and I've been so aware of all the " things" I don't need to fill it with. Downsizing my life was the best thing I ever did when we moved. I will take all your advice onboard as it makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing. Liana ( site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a> )
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Thanks Liana, you have a mighty task ahead of you. We will be doing the same within the next year. It will be interesting and scarey at the same time. Thanks for your positive comment. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author)
Carol Kirker Moderator
Hi Barbara! Happy belated anniversary. My seventh is coming up soon, and yes? It is an important and special day for us. This is a fantastic article and wonderful advice for everyone. As you know, I’m a huge fan of decluttering and providing a peaceful atmosphere. Every time I think I’ve done it, I realize there’s still more to do to unload a lifetime worth of “stuff. It may seem like a daunting task, but a shelf at a time, a drawer at a time, it gets done. Carol (site moderator)
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Thank you Carol. I find that I have to tell myself over and over again to slow down. I may be finally listening to my own advice now and that is why I so stable at the moment. Thanks for your kind words. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author)
vittoria Member
Hi Barbara. Thanks for a great article. When you mentioned we’ll lit areas I smiled. FYI...this is not a promo but what works for me. We have a couple of Amazon Echo Shows that have alleviated a lot of problems. The biggest is being able to tell Alexa to turn on/off lights. You need the compatible plug. It has been a huge help by not stumbling in the dark to turn on lights. We have several in the house. I’m also able to reach my husband in another part of the house, via the Echo Show, without calling for him and using up precious air. My next best help is being able to call family (anyone who is in your contacts) by asking Alexis to call first and last name of who you want to talk with. I can then sit comfortably, not having to hold my phone, and have a conversation. This devise has made my life so much easier. I’m going to need to find some help to declutter things I no longer need. One day at a time. Thank you again for sharing. Vickie
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Vicki, I agree that Alexa is the best thing since sliced bread. I use the Google brand and really like it.glad that you have figured out the best safety measures for you. We appreciate your comments. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author)