My Years by the DecadeMy life can easily be broken down by decades. Looking back, I find that each decade was spent with different people, doing different things as they interested me at the...reactionscomments
Things You Can Do to Help Those With COPDCOPD makes breathing difficult, and bending over can affect our breathing as it might not let our lungs expand to their total capacity. This can make daily tasks very difficult...reactions3comments
I Didn’t Think My Heart Could Get Any BiggerToo often, we may barter for more time when coping with a chronic illness. We might not see it as bartering. Maybe we are just hoping and planning. I remember...reactionscomments
Where There’s SmokeLooking out the window, I noticed smoke billowing from a house half a block behind ours. My husband saw it just before I did. Strangely, I didn’t smell smoke. I...reactions8comments
My Family Picnic (Part 2)Part one of this story can be found here. In part one, I talked about our annual family picnic. There was a laundry list of stuff to planning a day...reactions1comment
The Problem: Showering or BathingBefore my diagnosis, the thing I loved to do most was take a hot bath. After the kids were in bed and the house was quiet, I would light my...reactions85comments
Should I Stay or Should I Go?Should I stay home or should I go? How often do we ask ourselves this when invited to go somewhere? I’m sure it’s too many to count. My cousin Rhonda...reactions13comments
My Family Picnic (Part 1)It has been a dark lonely three years. The pandemic happened so fast and lasted so long, it has been years since my extended family and I have been together...reactions1comment
Caregivers: Aren’t They the Best?How amazing are our caregivers? I think about this often. There are so many things that my husband does for me. I ask for some help, and most are the...reactions19comments
How Do You Entertain Yourself In The Hospital?Following a hospital admission for a COPD exacerbation, you may reach a point of recovery where you're feeling better, yet still have to remain in the hospital. You will need...reactions1comment
Flu, RSV, and COVID-19: Differences Between 3 Respiratory InfectionsThe flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory infections that affect the nose, throat, and lungs. They affect both adults and kids, and they have many...reactions9comments
Death and Dying: Part 3You can read parts 1 and 2 of this story here and here. After volunteering with the ambulance service and helping with the bookkeeping, I was offered a full-time position...reactions5comments
Understanding Vaccine RecommendationsEvery year, vaccines help save millions of lives. Vaccines work with our body’s natural defenses to create an immune response to a specific disease. They are our best protection against...reactions2comments
Things I Teach People With COPDAs a respiratory therapist (RT), I teach a lot. We RTs do a lot of teaching. Although, the only place where we RTs are available for teaching is in the...reactions4comments
Death and Dying: Part 2Editor's note: This article discusses sensitive topics like suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8 or...reactions14comments
Respiratory Infections 101Respiratory infections affect the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways. These infections can cause symptoms such as congestion, cough, and shortness of breath. For people who live with certain chronic medical...reactions18comments
Let’s Talk About the GirlsOne of the best things to happen upon my diagnosis in 2016 was my doctor permitting me to eliminate my bra. I couldn’t have been happier. I had been wearing...reactions16comments
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): The BasicsRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough, congestion, and shortness of breath. RSV can affect people of all ages...reactions4comments
As My World TurnsSo, here’s the thing. People know as soon as they see me that something is up. My COPD forces me to wear supplemental oxygen 24/7. I take more time and...reactions9comments
Therapy and a COPD DiagnosisTherapy: I’m wondering if it should be one of the first things prescribed to us by our COPD diagnosis. I have thought of therapy a few times over the years...reactions44comments
