Living

It is common knowledge for those with COPD that it comes with a full dose of anxiety and stress. Often these issues are confusing, unwelcome, and foreign to us.  As...

I didn’t answer that question fully in the first article. When I applied for disability in 2011, the main requirement for someone with COPD was an FEV1 of 40%. Of...

As a self-professed nerd, I am constantly reading research articles. Today I came across a very interesting article. This is one of my favorite sites for learning about what is...

You can find part one of this story here. It’s not enough that we have to be aware of our physical and mental health. We have to be aware of...

I have learned many new things over the years while living with COPD. Every time I think I have learned it, here comes something new. Over the years, I have...

You may know what COPD is and that it affects your body and mind. Let’s step back...

On a daily basis I work my way through the learning curve of coming to terms with the changes caused by my COPD. I began last new year by paring...

As with many in the COPD community, I take many medications to help me breathe easier and live longer. Most of these medications have some side effects. Some are mild...

Being claustrophobic means that I have a tough time being constrained. Having COPD certainly doesn’t help. Having been intubated several times, when I wake up with my hands tied to...

Have you been diagnosed with COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? Do you know someone who has COPD? COPD is the umbrella term for these lung diseases: COPD is a progressive...

“You are your own best advocate!” You hear this a lot in this community because it is true. You ARE your best advocate unless you have someone to advocate for...

The best time of the holidays is when they are over! I know that makes me sound like Scrooge, but I can't help it. I created a monster many years...

Every year I make resolutions. I make the same resolutions year after year. They didn’t work last year, the year before, or the year before. Sabotage, that’s what I do...

Four years ago, I wrote  a post called “Things Not To Say To Someone Living With COPD.” I received many great responses to that post. You shared your ideas. I...

Two weeks after I wrote an article about staying healthy, I sit here writing this and have tested positive for Covid. I am happy that I went for almost three...

As much as I love the holidays, it is always nice to know they are coming to an end. There is too much hustle and bustle and bad weather conditions...

So, we are now entering the new year. Of course, we all make resolutions or ways to improve ourselves. This post is about ideas for the world around us to...

Welcome to another holiday with COPD! Hearing “Happy Holidays” and noting the time of year, I think Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year. Yet, I’m reminded that our holidays go beyond...

Mom used to say that we put the fun in dysfunctional. When COPD affects your family, it is anything but funny. Oh, we tried to make light of the troubles...

My memory takes me back to a third-grade moment. I am in the bathroom after lunch with some of my classmates. They were talking about Santa and if he was...