My COPD and Covid

I grew up in a house of smokers. So at the age of 14 I started smoking. The problem was my father already had emphysema. I could see what it was doing to him. We all thought it was from his job in the Navy and his job after that working for the NYC sanitation Dept. Well it wasn’t, it was from smoking. I’m sure his jobs contributed to it also but smoking was the problem.

An emphysema diagnosis

About 20 years ago I noticed hills where hard for me to walk. Blamed it on being out of shape. Another 5 years down the road I noticed others things, couldn’t hold my baby granddaughter and walk and others. Since I saw and later took care of my dad I knew what was wrong went to see a pulmonologist diagnosed stage 3 Emphysema, severe.

The COVID-19 pandemic

I was doing great used O2 only when needed but then COVID hit. I didn’t leave my house for a year. I was sure I’d die if I got it. Now all vaccinated I find I can’t do half the things I did better. I gained weight sitting at home doing nothing. I have an appt later this month and I am so afraid he’ll tell me I am now end stage. I know smoking did this to me but I feel like my body some how is betraying me.

I know I have been lucky to go this long with COPD but I tried to do all the right things until COVID hit. Does anyone else feel like their body is betraying them. Would love to know.