How Has Working With COPD Patients Affected Me?

As my regular readers know, I am a respiratory therapist at a small-town hospital, where a significant portion of my patients are people living with COPD. In many ways, they have become my area of expertise.

Positive life lessons from working with COPD patients

My experiences with them, and with you in our community, have had a profoundly positive impact on my life. Here are some ways working with COPD patients has affected me for the better.

Increased empathy

I have certainly developed a deeper understanding and compassion for people dealing with chronic illnesses and their daily struggles. My empathy for people with COPD has deep roots: I grew up with severe asthma and spent much of my childhood in hospitals.

Like many of my patients, I rely on multiple inhalers and have a nebulizer at home for flare-ups. This personal history has cultivated in me a profound empathy.

In a way, it feels like I experienced COPD in reverse – starting with severe lung issues as a child and seeing gradual improvement with advancements in medicine. Spending time with you has only allowed my empathy to flourish, like a full and blooming tree.

Rich with life experiences

I find it incredibly fascinating to hear the stories and life experiences of my patients. One COPD patient stands out in my memory: He shared with me how, during his senior year of high school, he would sit at his desk near the window, watching trucks in the parking lot below. He said his mind often wandered as he observed the town in the distance and the sun rising over the horizon.

One day, he said his teacher startled him with a sharp "whack" on his desk with a ruler, admonishing him to pay attention in class. "You might as well quit school if you can’t pay attention," she said. In response, he calmly explained, "Mrs. Teacher, those are my trucks. I have a business, and I don’t want anyone to steal them."

With this entrepreneurial spirit, he decided to leave school and pursue his business aspirations, ultimately becoming a very successful businessman. Stories like these remind me of the resilience and determination that reside within each of us. They teach me valuable lessons about life and inspire me to cherish every moment.

Each patient I encounter enriches my understanding of the human experience. I am grateful for the privilege to learn from their rich tapestry of experiences.

Impact on personal growth

When I started as a new therapist in 1997 at a large hospital in Muskegon, Michigan, I encountered a patient who left a lasting impression on me. She was struggling profoundly with shortness of breath when we first met, and she expressed a desperate desire to be intubated (having a tube inserted into her airway and connected to a ventilator to assist with breathing).

Her doctor had cautioned that being intubated might mean never being able to be extubated due to the severity of her condition. Despite this risk, she adamantly said, "I do not care. I just want to breathe!"

I empathized deeply with her situation. After my shift ended that day, I returned the next day to find her on a ventilator, lying on her side. What struck me most was the look of relief and gratitude on her face as she took in a deep breath – a simple act that meant so much to her. That moment has stayed with me ever since.

Today, the approach to treating people with COPD has evolved significantly. While intubation remains an option for severe cases, advancements in medical treatments have provided alternatives such as BiPAP machines. These machines apply airway pressure to reduce the work of breathing.

Reflecting on these experiences has enriched my understanding of patient care and the profound impact that effective respiratory treatments can have on quality of life. Each patient encounter continues to shape my perspective and commitment to providing compassionate care.

Still growing

In my journey as a respiratory therapist, my patients with COPD have not only enriched my professional expertise but also touched my heart deeply. Through their stories of resilience and their unwavering spirit, I've learned valuable lessons about empathy, perseverance, and the transformative power of compassionate care.

Each day reaffirms my commitment to supporting their journey with dignity and understanding. Together, we navigate challenges, celebrate victories, and cherish every breath – honoring the profound courage of those living with COPD.