Give Me Strength

Please give me strength in this COPD world.

This title really resonates with me.

How often have I said those three words: “Give me strength.” If you stop and think about it, we can look for strength in so many ways.

Let me tell you what those three little words mean to me and where I can find them, as well as use them.

Seeking strength for COPD challenges

Give me strength is often asked for in prayer.

These words might be used in meditation as well. Breathing might be a struggle. You might be looking for strength to breathe as you reach for your inhaler or climb those stairs.

Telling your family and friends that you have COPD might challenge your strength. They might blame your COPD on your smoking.

Maybe that’s what caused your COPD, maybe not. They might tell you that if you wouldn’t sleep so much; if you wouldn’t be so picky about your meals; if you wouldn’t take so many medications; or even “Why are you taking oxygen? You might get addicted to it!”

Even getting into an argument with your spouse might make you feel weak and take your breath away. You might be looking for strength to help you get through this.

Also, to help your breathing to relax, which will enable you to breathe better. Have you heard that exercise can help slow the progression of your COPD? It’s true. Strength can definitely be used here.

Building strength

The strength to decide to exercise and the strength to actually exercise is very important. Do discuss your plan with your doctor.

Pace yourself and use strength to gradually build yourself up to longer and more difficult exercises.

You might be hoping for a lung transplant. You know that you need strength. The transplant center will tell you what you need to do to qualify.

It might be to lose weight, build up your body strength, and do the tests that they have scheduled you for. Exercise will surely be part of this!

They want to be sure that:

• You have the strength to survive.
• That you have the strength to make it to surgery.
• That your strength can keep you alive to make it through rough surgery.
• That those new lungs and your body have the strength to do all that a person is supposed to after surgery.

The care that you take of your body throughout is most important.

Harnessing inner strength and support in navigating COPD care choices

Maybe you will need your strength to choose palliative care or hospice. Some of your strengths may come from using the knowledge you will gain by talking with others, including your doctor and other health professionals.

Your choice will possibly depend on your health and your choice of quality of life. It's possible that you are doing well enough that these choices aren’t needed yet.

So your strength will help you overcome and to help you learn, and to know it’s okay to be part of this COPD world. If you don't have enough strength of your own, find a support system. Face to face or online. 

People can draw strength from each other.

You are able to create some of your own strength to help bring your body to fruition.