Living

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...

According to the Oxford dictionary, “Motivation is the reason why somebody does something or behaves in a particular way.” That one word - motivation - speaks volumes. How does a...

My lungs don’t really care for fluctuating temperatures when the seasons change. Some of my worst exacerbations have been going from the warm air of summer to the cooler air...

It can be so difficult to ask for help, especially if you have always managed to do things yourself. Then the day comes when you really need help to do...

As the years seem to be flying by, I'm sure I am getting cranky and a little more irritable. The seasons seem to be rolling into two instead of four...

When I woke up today, I was in a bad mood. It's funny how that happens for no apparent reason. I am aware the minute I open my eyes that...

My daughter-in-law copes with a more severe form of Ulcerative Colitis. It’s been so severe that we feared for her life. I may not remember the exact words of what...

What a motto this saying became back in the 80's when the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" came out. At that time, I worried about very little. As my health deteriorated though...

When we are born, we are given gifts that help us navigate our lives. As we get older, we finally chisel those gifts so we can have a better experience...

Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to check out part 1! Most of us with COPD have been prescribed some sort of inhaler, if not...

I have to mention here and now that for the first two years after diagnosis, you are going to work harder than you have ever worked in your life. You...

Change is hard for me. Any change is a challenge when you have a debilitating disease. Right now, the season is changing. The air is starting to chill in the...

Despite what the doctors say, I needed to step up my 'Granny game’. I was tired of watching from my window as my husband and grandson walked all over the neighborhood...