Living

Today I am another year older - 51. Wow! I used to think my parents were so old when they were this age. I’m not old! My body and lungs...

We all know life with COPD isn’t easy, particularly when it is severe. We spend a great deal of time managing the symptoms, avoiding exacerbations, and stopping to catch our...

It is week 65 of the biggest pandemic of our lives. Our province of Ontario, Canada is in its 3rd lockdown. We are not able to shop, golf, go to...

Dear Doctor, You are a very important person with regards to my COPD health as well as my whole life with COPD. You might be a general practitioner (GP), an...

COPD opens the floodgates to many psychological demons. Some of the demons that plague me are depression, embarrassment, fear, and feelings of worthlessness.  I know that I am not alone in...

My first exacerbation made me think I was DYING! It was actually horrible. One day I was working two jobs and loving my income and my independence, and the next...

Prescriptions, scent-free laundry detergent, over-the-counter products, special cleaning products, all these items can add up and can make living with or caring for someone with COPD expensive. There are resources...

Before the pandemic, I didn’t have any knowledge of the Zoom program. I think that is true for many on a personal level. If I did any video chats, it...

We, humans, were not meant to do life alone. We excel in a community, surrounded by people. But - and it's a big but - we are who we choose...

Over the years, I've been called stubborn and bullheaded. Determined, a doer, responsible, organized, and even a quitter. Each and every word has brought me through the good times and...

At the end of 2019, I saw a pulmonary specialist. The frequency of visits is twice a year unless I need him in between. I was given an action plan...

Have you found that after your diagnosis of COPD you now start to have other illnesses creep in? Or maybe you had other illnesses and COPD came along with them?...

Two years ago at age 65, I qualified for Medicare. In order to “get it right,” I called on an expert. Her name was Sandy and she worked at the...

Once upon a time, back in my day, there was one doctor for everything. At that time, in my area anyway, the doctor was male. When I was called to...

By definition, forest bathing is immersing yourself in nature in a mindful way. The term (shinrin-yoku) originated in Japan, acknowledging that time spent with nature relieves stress and is very...

Standing in the kitchen and looking out the kitchen window, I feel a burst of joy. One that comes when I am out in nature. I feel such peace. The...

I do. I had two at one time (during my COPD years), Sophie and Penny. Sophie was a beautiful rescue border collie mix that we got when our kids were younger...

Good afternoon, all! It's been a good few weeks since I last wrote. Time certainly goes quickly, especially when things occupy you. Hope everyone has had a good few breathe-easy...

Most days I must coax myself into showering. It’s as if I am coaxing a child, trying to get them to see my way. Most of us know it is...

If you live on the west coast or in the mountain west region of the United States as I do, you accept that wildfires during the summer months are now...