Such a difference
My name is Kathryn and for years I was told that I had COPD and all I knew about it was that I had to make changes in a few things I did during the day. Four years ago I was unloading trucks at Walmart then I was out of breath and could not understand why I could not keep up anymore. I have always worked physical jobs and enjoyed my self doing it.
COPD brought changes to my life
Now I can't do much of anything. I cannot clean my own area at home without a big effort. I cough so much my lungs feel like they are on fire. I use all the inhalers and now I am on oxygen 24/7. I cannot believe the change in my life. I look at myself and feel like I am a shell of what I used to be. I know I see a lot of stories that are similar. I refuse to be kept down but with such fluctuation in my flair ups and conditions it is hard to do.
Just recently I came up with a new symptom of rib pain. Oh my goodness I double over in pain so severe it feels like my body is being ripped apart. I don't know what to do about it. Any suggestions? It does go away but it is so painful that I cannot breathe only cry.
Accepting my condition
One day four years ago I was getting up going to work, getting off at ten PM, taking care of my folks, and finally doing homework for college. Today I can barely take care of things around home without having issues. Scary hard changes and every day I accept my condition and make the best of it but wow such a change.
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