Pride, Humility, and COPD

It begins when others see that you're not as energetic or that you move more slowly. My mother's complaint was that she didn't want to make our weekly treks to the mall to window shop or go out for dinner at our favorite restaurants a couple of times a week. I was a daughter who simply was upset that my mom and I were not spending quality time together, and in its place were extra stress and arguments that appeared out of nowhere.

When COPD takes the joy away

It is possible that, at first, it will be seen as a lack of interest on your part in engaging in social activities; however, it will eventually become a cause of stress in your relationships with your family and friends. For my father, it was when he decided to stop going fishing.

He had grown to take up fishing in his retirement as a daily ritual. He watched shows on TV and YouTube or was actually out discovering local ponds and attending fishing interest meetings. His ability to enjoy his favorite pastime became too difficult, so he stopped doing the very thing that made him feel alive.

Manage your COPD with open communication

How can you get ahead of the social deterrents and the effects of COPD? You open up the dialogue. 

The conversation starts with the person you see in the mirror. It is time to start being honest with yourself about your health concerns and struggles. 

Many new medicines on the market can assist in COPD symptom management, from inhalers to physical therapy to surgeries. 

Next up, your doctor. We tend to loop our doctor in later in our symptoms out of lack of time or fear. 

The questions that most nurses ask at the beginning of every visit serve a purpose to help them get a better picture of their overall health, but they do not take the place of the patient, bringing the concerns up front and center. It takes courage to talk about something that you are worried about. 

Once you get a picture of your lung health and receive a new baseline for COPD and maybe a first-time diagnosis. It is important to have discussions with your family, friends, and workplace. You may be feeling a sense of shame that you have been diagnosed with COPD.

Reclaim your power

You may not want to discuss your inability to be as active as you once were. You may not be comfortable letting others see you as vulnerable.

Do it anyway! The very disease of COPD will attempt to rob you of many moments throughout your journey, and it is empowering to take control of the wheel from the start.

If you can not imagine having a forward conversation about you and your new health condition, imagine you were on the receiving end of the very conversation from your closest friend or loved one. You would no doubt meet them with compassion and offer support.

Allow yourself that same self-compassion.