A little help in the morning

By ruth P

1 min read

I use my rescue inhaler proactively before trying to get up and out of bed. Afterward, I sit on the edge of the bed for 5 minutes or so. This makes it easier to stand up and then sit down to get my compression hose and shoes on before heading to the bathroom. I can then have my breakfast and finish dressing before doing my first nebulizer treatment of the day.

What's your morning routine look like?

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beverlydemarco Member
THE MORNINGS ARE THE WORST FOR ME, AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF BED I DO MY ENHALER TREATMENT, ( BREZTRI) AND THEN I USE THE BATHROOM . I THEN DO MY NEBULIZER TREATMENT AND RELAX A FEW MINUTES BEFORE I GET DRESSED. THAN TRY TO GET TO THE KITCHEN FOR A VERY LITE BREAKFAST, USUALLY SCRAMBLE EGGS AND TOAST AND OJ AND HOT TEA. THEN I TAKE ALL MY MEDICINES. AND SIT DOWN TO READ THE PAPER, AFTER THAT I WILL GO MAKE MY BED, ITS ONLY A COMFORTER THAT COVERS THE BED BUT ITS LITE AND EASY TO PUT ON THE BED,. NOW ITS 12 AM AND TRY TO DO A LITTLE EXERCISE IN MY RECLINER, ARM AND LEG STRETCHING. I HAVE A EXERCISE BIKE BUT ITS BEEN TO HARD LATELY AND ALSO MY THREADMILL IS TOO EXHAUSTING LATELY. I HAD THREE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS THIS WEEK WHICH MY SISTER TOOK ME TOO, SOMETHING IS NOT GOOD WITH MY BREATHING AND IT FEELS LIKE LIQUID ON MY LUNGS WHICH HAS MADE THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS UNBEARABLE. THE REST OF MY DAY CONSIST OF MORE NEBULIZER TREATMENTS AND MORE EXERCISES AND LITE LUNCH AND LITE DINNER AND SMALL SNACK AND A LOT OF TELEVISION, I AM A BIG NEW YORK YANKEE FAN SO I ENJOY THE BASEBALL GAMES AND IT TAKES MY MIND OFF OF FEELING SO MISERABLE. ONE DAY AT A TIME?
ruth P Member
Always one day at a time <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> . Any day we can get up dress and do the necessary things is a good one. Somedays are better than others. You sound like a fighter and have things set up well for yourself. Concentrate on what goes well.
beverlydemarco Member
HELLO RUTH P ,,,I DO TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME, YES SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS. STARTING EACH DAY IS A CHALLENGE FOR ME ,AND I AM THANKFUL FOR DOING A LITTLE EACH DAY AND EVEN WAKING UP EACH DAY, IT TAKES ME ABOUT 1/2. HOUR JUST TO GET DRESSED IN THE MORNING SO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING MUCH SLOWER THAN I USE TO AND IT GETS ME SO DEPRESSED WHEN I CANT DO SOME THINGS, LIKE GOING TO MY MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL? I CANT WALK THAT FAR TO GET MY MAIL. , THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED WE CANT DO, MY SISTER HAS TO HELP ME WITH SO MUCH , SHE WASHES MY HAIR AND SHOPS FOR ME , SHE TAKES ME TO ALL MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, ETC. MY TWO SONS TAKE CARE OF A LOT TOO, CUTTING THE LAWN, CLEANING THE POOL, TAKING OUT THE TRASH, SHOPPING, COOKING MEALS FOR ME. I FEEL SO HELPLESS AND ITS DEPRESSING TOO
1. ruth P Member
 <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> Try not to get depressed about what you can't do, Rejoice in what you can do. You are so fortunate to have so many who are assisting you with things. The road with COPD is so difficult at times but having that kind of support you have really helps. I started an exercise program that is helping a bit. I use O2 when I do my program and while I am doing my daily chores. I always use it when I have to wear a mask. The pandemic has certainly made life a bit more difficult.
munchkin47 Member
<inline-mention username="ruth P" user-id="4170074"/> My comments are not not so much about my routine on rising but more about how my COPD is progressing. I see that I am obviously at an early stage, regarding my COPD, compared to you, judging by your account of your morning routine, and feel so lucky that I am still able to walk about 6-8 km a day (in stages), even if I am really struggling. I I must walk as much as I can for the sake of my lungs but I am finding it has become more and more difficult over the past two months….and goodness knows what it will be like when Autumn comes round which will be very soon. The effort more or less uses up what energy I have so I tend to collapse on a chair and doze off after each walk. If I want to get anything done in my house, I really have to do it BEFORE going a walk or I would become 'no use to man nor beast'. I HATE housework (and always have done!) so tend to do the bare minimum as I prefer to save my energy for more enjoyable things….not that I am able to do much at the moment while Covid is around. I really live like a hermit as I only go into town once a week with my brother for a coffee and a chat…..no shopping, no meeting anyone else. Thank goodness my husband is able to buy the food! Hmmm…I often wonder how bad I will get and whether there will come a time when I won't be able to make meals or clean my house….or do anything! Unfortunately, my husband suffers from M.E. (You might know it as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the USA) so he has a limited amount of energy, too, and might not be able to take over from me when I deteriorate further. I have no guilt about having been a smoker like a lot of you as I have never smoked in my life, but it does puzzle me as to why I am now suffering from COPD! Hmmm….dodgy lungs? OK, I think I have rambled on long enough so I'll stop there and will continue to read with interest other sufferers accounts of life with this illness. It is comforting to know that I am not the only one with this lung problem. 
1. ruth P Member
 <inline-mention username="munchkin47" user-id="2405263"/> Hope you continue to be able to do as much as you are. Diabetes does complicate things and I think you are doing a good job managing that is addition to the COPD issues. Managing is the best we can do so whatever works for you is a good thing. And best wishes to you as well, Ruth 
2. munchkin47 Member
 <inline-mention username="ruth P" user-id="4170074"/> thank you for your good wishes and, yes, finding the best way to managing both illnesses is key to keeping going…..and putting off the inevitable!!