The COPD Mishaps That We Don’t Like To Talk About: Part 1
I can’t believe I’m going there, but here it goes.
I know a lot of us have had this happen before, but it’s something that we don’t like to talk about. But I think others should know that this is something that could happen and could possibly happen in your own COPD journey.
Grocery shopping and COPD
Yesterday, I was getting groceries, which wore me out and made me more short of breath than usual. You may have read one of my latest articles, where I wrote that I prefer to do groceries online for pickup because it's so much easier for me.
My cousin, Jody, asked me if I would like to go with her to pick up a few things, and I decided that I would go with her. It had been a while since I had been in the store, and this would be a great way to get some steps in for the day. I should have considered the cold weather and getting lunch beforehand because it made my breathing a struggle.
I even had a good lunch with no carbs, but I must have eaten because I could feel the heaviness in my breathing. I did okay moving slowly around the store, but if I moved too fast or did any heavy lifting or turning, I had a hard time.
I hated to do it, but I had to ask Jody to get all of my items out of the cart for me and then bag them and put them away in the car when we were done. I know she didn’t mind, but I just hated to ask and was mad at myself for overeating to give myself that more breathless feeling.
Jody got all our groceries in the car, and we headed to her house. I drove, so I dropped her off and headed home myself.
Unexpected issues and embarrassment
Normally, when I come home with groceries, I only carry in the cold items that need to be put in the fridge or freezer, and I leave everything else for my husband when he gets home from work. I got enough rest on the way home that I decided to take my time and bring in a couple of bags at a time and rest in between. I also wanted to give my husband a break because he has bad back pain, and I hated to leave that for him.
Back and forth, I went to get the groceries, and on my last trip in, I was so breathless that I had to stop right there in my tracks and not go any further. That is when it happened. I lost all function of my bowels, and every time I took a breath, as I would breathe back out, out came something else.
I stood there, unable to move because I was still trying to catch my breath, and I knew if I moved, I might pass out from lack of oxygen. There was no way I wanted to have anyone find me there on the floor with my pants full. I just stood there as I tried to get my breathing under control and filled my pants in humiliation.
Learning from mistakes and looking ahead
I was so mad at myself for knowing I shouldn’t have pushed myself. I knew better. I should have just waited for my husband or gone in and taken a break. If I went back out, I should have gotten one of my oxygen tanks so I could have had that continuous oxygen that I needed instead of using the portable that only gives me pulse doses.
I know I am not alone in having this happen. Has it happened to you? Please share with us in the comments below.
I know it can be embarrassing, but it is something that happens to most of us, and we can’t help it. Let's lean on each other for support.
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