ginzy2
"Hello..I have been reading the site for about a week. I do have COPD, Stage 3. Actually, I was informed I had COPD at least 5 years ago, but was in the hospital with pneumonia at the time, so not much was said to me other than that. Past year, when I had to have 3 breathing treatments, my Dr., asked me if I was using the nebulizer? Huh? and then informed me that my lunch function or FEV! was 44%, and said I have lost more than half my lung function. This was news to me. All the years I have had this dr. She never told me what COPD was, except that I knew I had lung damage form 3 pneumonis (one very severe), and lots of bouts of bronchitis. But I had that even growing up, so I accepted that yes, I knew I had some scarring on my lungs..I did smoke...and quit 12 years ago! YEAH...Very hard, and was told I'd see improvement. I was never told COPD continues to get worse and even fatal, nor was Respiratory Rehab ever mentioned. I shold have also been referred to a pumonologist, which I wasn't. Anyway, sorry, I am dumping I guess...But, after being told my lung function, I freaked out..Next day I found a pulmonologist and she immediately checked my pulmomary functions, and immediately sent me to rehab, plus prescribed a nebulizer. God Bless her. At the rehab center, they were little shocked. Said I should have been there years ago..Right now, all I do is try to hang on. I am extremely depressed, and looking back at the past yera, I realized there were many things I hadn't done, because I was tired, or it was hard to walk because I also have scoliosis, and arthritis in my back from failed surgery. My biggest concern is my animals. I am now finding myself worry constantly about them and worrying that if I get sick, what do I do? I moved and my neighbors work, and I don't really know them, and my friends now live 15 miles (30 mins) away. Every time I look at my dog or cats, I start crying because they are g oing to be abandoned, and it is my fault..Sounds stupid maybe..But they are all rescues, who have already been traumatized by beingthrown away. Anyway, here I am. Most days, I do ok. I am able to get around. I force myself to walk my dog every day. I'm scared to death with my animals if I have to go into the hospital again. I'd have to insure they are up to date on all shots, not just rabies. My dog is. Other cats are due, But to take them all would cost me about $400, plus boarding per day? I have heard about $30 per animal. So a hospital stay for 3 days would cost me about $500 just for the animals. BTW, I am getting ready to start a clinical trial of losartan, which has had positive results in mice for inflammation in lungs. Elsewhere also. Haven't started it yet. I go tomorrow for CT scan to see where I am at, and am not sure if I will even get the meds, or just a placebo. I have ready there are some promising results, but not yet with humans. THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME. SORRY..."
Ginzy2, first you never need to apologize for sharing and expressing how you feel! This community is designed to be a place where you can be real and vent out whatever you are feeling as you live with COPD. Being concerned for your pets is not at all stupid! Pets are beloved family members and needing a plan for their care if you are hospitalized is part of life with COPD for you - and many others. I do not know the make-up of your community, but if any of your neighbors have teenagers or college-age family, they might be good candidates for helping to care for your pets - and at a much cheaper price than boarding! I'd encourage you to try to get to know your neighbors a bit and explain your situation of having this chronic illness and wanting to have a plan in place for your pets' care should you ever be hospitalized. Another option I know of is rover dot com, which is an online pet service that has people in areas all over the country who can be hired to come and take care of pets when humans have to be gone. There are options for walking, house-sitting and drop-in visits. I would encourage you to take time to see what options you may have, before feeling you need to rehome your pets. Pets can bring a great deal of love and comfort to those living with COPD! We have a variety of articles about pets on the site you might be interested in perusing: https://copd.net/?s=pets
I hear how frustrating your path to having your diagnosis clearly communicated has been. You are not alone in the experience of being told you have COPD and not being given sufficient information about what that means and how you need to be treating it. I'm glad you are now under the care of a pulmonologist and are in rehab classes! It is never too late to gain benefit from pulmonary rehab. The fact that you are walking your dog every day is a great thing for your lungs!
Please know you can reach out anytime you need support or have questions. We cannot offer specific medical advice over the internet (for your safety!) but can often direct you to general information resources and we are always here to listen and offers support. I'm glad you have found your way to the community. Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (COPD.net team)ALLYSON..thank you so much for the beautiful note and the caring note. Have good evening.
Oh..btw. setting it up I was rejected for lots IDs and so I came up with the Ginzy. My Dad used to call me that . When he did that when I was in HS, I pitched a fit
Lol. I sure miss it now.
Please feel free to call me Ginny if you remembet. That is my name..Ginzy, though, will do. LolGinny, sometimes finding a user ID that hasn't already been used can be tricky! I can definitely understand that you would not appreciate being called "Ginzy" in high school, especially if it was in front of your friends! I'm glad you have joined the community and hope it will be a positive source of information and support for you. Wishing you a pleasant weekend! ~Allyson (COPD.net team)
"ok..better than yesterday"
Glad to hear it, Ginzy2! I hope it continues to be a better week.
Regards, Lyn (site moderator)