My Mom, My Sister, and Now, Me.
In 2017, I lost my mom to complications of COPD. And in 2018, I lost my baby sister to the same. (I was her primary caretaker).
I am a 61-year-old, disabled man. I was diagnosed in 2014 and was told that I most likely have severe emphysema. (I go for additional lung testing later this month).
My journey
I stopped smoking approximately 3 and 1/2 years ago, (4 months after my sister passed). I stopped cold turkey after smoking for decades. I simply stopped buying them and it was much easier than I thought though I had tried to stop for many years.
I also have sleep apnea. I wear oxygen at night thru my C-pap machine and Oxygen concentrator.
Since I stopped smoking I have had one exacerbation (flare-up) and that was this year after being treated for pneumonia. After the flare, I suffered respiratory failure with hypoxia. I spent 3 days in the hospital and have since recovered.
I am new here and am not sure what else I can tell ya. I have a daughter who is 38 yrs old and two grandsons, 11 and 16. My immediate family has all passed on and left me the solitary survivor.
COPD is frustrating
I hate having COPD. It limits my physical abilities due to shortness of breath and I find it to be extremely frustrating.
I look forward to "meeting" some of you and learning all I can about effectively coping with COPD.
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