What I Wish Others Understood About COPD
Sometimes, folks think I’m lazy.
And, admittedly, I am.
I think I’ve said this before – in fact, I know I’ve said this before - but I’d sleep until noon, if I could, almost every day.
I’m much more of a night owl.
And if I’m comfortable in a chair, please don’t ask me to get up!
It's not always laziness.
But there are other times for instance, when I realize I’ve forgotten something in the house and retrieving it would take a return trip into the kitchen from the car. If it’s not a good breathing day, this can cause stress.
It wouldn’t seem like much to someone who doesn’t understand COPD but, to some of us who do, it can feel like the Bataan Death March, re-strapping on my backpack with the “D” oxygen tank that I just took off, walking up the driveway and up the front flight of stairs, retrieving whatever it was I needed.
Now, granted – that’s a huge exaggeration. And, even as I re-read what I just wrote, I’m thinking, “boy – is this guy lazy or what?”
But, if you don’t have COPD, I don’t think you can understand what it’s like to think things through before you set out in such a fashion, mostly to avoid SOB – shortness of breath.
Not taking movement for granted.
Yeah...I probably take advantage from time to time (and I don’t think I’m the only one) but the thought of having to walk back to where you just came from because you dropped something when there’s someone there who might pick it up for you, chances are, you’re hoping for the help.
Because physically, movement – of any kind - can be painful at times. And in different parts of the body.
Sharp pains to the stomach, lower back, chest – you name it, pain might come there.
Would the exercise you’re avoiding do you good? Probably.
Do you ever look at it that way? Never.
Movement is taken for granted by those without COPD, as it was for those of us who now have COPD but didn’t years ago.
I never thought about crossing the street, heading up subway stairs in the city, bending down to pick up the quarter I just dropped, making the bed, walking through the mall to the store I need which just so happens to be at the furthest point in the shopping center.
There are as many things I wish folks understood about COPD as there are folks who have the affliction – millions.
My wife is very tough.
“You pick it up. You’re so lazy,” she often says, but not always.
Once in a while, she has pity. And if you’d like to understand something about COPD, sometimes we need help. (But sometimes, we’re just being lazy – LOL!).
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