Making Life Easier

If you're struggling, it's pretty difficult to enjoy your life and life is for enjoying.

You will need to ask for help

COPD is a difficult illness to live with and as we're aware, it's an illness that progresses with time. It's difficult to face your new reality if you have been an independent person doing things for yourself. Your COPD has crept up and you can no longer do some of the things you were used to doing. You fight with your last breath to put the king-size quilt cover on. You know next week you will need to ask for help. You're right, it's not easy to accept that you need to ask for help. But the reality has come that it's time to do so.

That week came and I asked for help and now I'm not huffing and puffing as my hubby puts the quilt cover on. If you don't ask for help, you're only going to be struggling and fighting to breathe, gasping for that breath which will do you more harm than good.

Teamwork in cooking

I do most of the cooking though my hubby will pull the meat out of the oven as it is low and too hot for me. If the grill is being used, my hubby stands over it - again way too hot for me to breathe.

We have settled for frozen veg as it's cheaper, fresher (my opinion), and saves time and energy. Hubby is good and does all the dishes. On my good days, I bulk cook mashed potatoes and swede and make bolognese in bulk ready for the freezer. It all makes it easier when doing a roast.

One thing at a time

Never be afraid to ask for help. I only shower when someone is in the house and I always leave the bathroom door open. This is for safety reasons but it also helps with the steam. We now buy disinfectant wipes instead of the spray to eliminate the lingering particles in the home.

Adapting to the changes isn't always easy, but it does become easier as you're doing it. Try doing one thing at a time. Maybe clean your kitchen one day and the bathroom the following. I do the toilet and sink hubby cleans the shower. We make a good team (most of the time).

Think positive, be positive

This COPD has certainly been an eye-opener I never envisaged my life turning out this way. But then again, I never envisaged I would be sitting here writing this article.

Life is precious and we only get one chance of it. Grasp it with both hands and live it to your best ability. Laugh when life throws a curveball as you know you will get through it and be that much stronger after it. Keep active with what you can do and enjoy the life you have. There is life after a diagnosis. Think positive, be positive.

Editor's Note: We are heartbroken to share that Debz passed away in October of 2021. She is deeply missed but her positivity and resilience live on through her articles. Thank you for everything, Debz.