Living

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...

It all started when my husband took me to a brand-new Dollar Store. I was hoping to find fabric, as some people wanted fabric dolls for Christmas. Even wearing a...

This article explores the theme of maintaining emotional health in the context of COPD. My COPD journey has been a long one, and I was under the distinct impression that...

The Managing Treatment and Medication Survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Treatment is a big part of managing a chronic (long-term) health condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary...

Editor's note: This is part 1 of a series. Be sure to check out part 2! Most occupations have particular tools that are necessary to perform their work. A carpenter...

Sometimes in life, we have to make tough decisions that will chart out the way ahead of us. I had declined the offer of a lung function test for a...

Editor's note: this is part 2 of a two-part series. Be sure to check out part 1! We have been talking about COPD vs. aging. How do we know for...