Severe COPD

By beverlydemarco

1 min read

Hi Leon, I just received a phone call from Surgical Specialist about putting a Stent in my leg that is clogged up 95% ,they said my LUNG Doctor does not recommend Surgery at this time because I have Servers COPD, TOMORROW I GO TO PULMONARY REHAB FOR EVALUATION, SO DONT KNOW WHATS NEXT? I don't know how to deal with this?

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi Beverly, and thanks for providing this update. I can hear how conflicted you're feeling. The decision as to whether to have the leg stent replacement is between you, the surgeon, and the pulmonologist. In the most general of terms, the decision is usually based on the risk versus benefit approach and the doctors must explain this to you so you can be a part of the decision making process. You may want to still keep your appointment tomorrow with pulmonary rehabilitation to gain their input as well. Leon (site moderator)
beverlydemarco Member
I went to PULMONARY REHAB TODAY, I START NEXT FRIDAY, TODAY WAS A LOT OF PAPER WORK, QUESTIONS, PRESCRIPTION. QUESTIONS,BREATHING EXERCISE. SHE TOLD ME NOT TO HOLD MY BREATHE AND COUNT TO FOUR LIKE THE VIDEO DID ON THE COPD WEB PAGE, MY LUNG IS ONLY WORKING ON 29%SO SHE TOLD ME ANOTHER WAY TO BREATHE SO IT DOES NOT STRAIN MY LUNGS..? SHE ALSO TOLD ME NOT TO EAT ICECREAM AND DONUTS LIKE MY LUNG DOCTOR TOLD ME TO EAT, SHE SAID TOO MUCH SUGAR AND FAT WILL ALSO CLOG MY ARITERIES. MY LUNG DOCTOR DOESNT WANT ME TO HAVE SURGERY YET BUT ITS CLOG 95% AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT TOO.MAYBE HE THINKS MY LUNGS CANT HANDLE IT, I AM IN STAGWE THREE?
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Beverly and thanks for bringing us up-to-date on your visit with pulmonary rehabilitation. It seems you are getting suggestions and advice from different sources, so it's understandable that you may be feeling somewhat confused. As long as your doctor agrees you should be in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, you may want to discuss the various suggestions made to you with the physician, the surgeon and the pulmonary rehab staff. I also understand how anxious you feel about 95% clog of your leg stent. These are all very valid and real concerns of yours. I'm sorry you're going through all this now. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator)
beverlydemarco Member
Hi Leon, I just found your reply and will start REHAB May31st. Haven't heard from my LUNG Doctor yet? Thank you again.Hoping to meet some people at REHAB with COPD since I Can't find a Support Group in my home town in Fla
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Beverly and thanks for responding here. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a great place to meet people - you may be able to connect more closely there with people who are in similar circumstances to you. Glad to hear it is starting next week on 5/31. I wish you good luck! Please do keep us apprised of your progress, too. Warmly, Leon (site moderator)
beverlydemarco Member
I WENT TO MY LUNG DOCTOR TODAY FOR RESULTS FROM THE CTSCAN I HAD DONE LAST WEEK, THE RESULTS WEREN'T GOOD, THEY FOUND TWO BIG SPOTS ON MY LEFT LUNG AND NOW NEED A PET SCAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE DR SAID THEY COULD DO SURGERY TO REMOVE THE NODGULES BUT MY LUNGS COULDNT HANDLE THE SURGERY, THEN HE TALKED ABOUT CHEMO AND RADIATION IF I HAVE CANCER THE TEST WILL LIGHT UP ON THE SCAN BUT I SAID NO CHEMO OR RADIATION FOR ME, I SAW WHAT CHEMO DID TO MY SON AND HIS QUALITY OF LIFE IS AWFUL NOW, HE HAS NEOURUPATHY AND HARD TO KEEP A JOB DUE TO THE CHEMO KILLING ALL HIS FEELING IN HIS LEGS AND FEET. HE WAS ALWAYS SICK AND LOST HIS HAIR AFTER THE FIRST TREATMENT AND LOST WEIGHT, I ONLY WEIGH 105LBS AND I AM 5.7 TALL.SO I ALREADY LOOK LIKE A STRINGBEAN. ANYWAY I WILL WAIT TO SEE THE RESULTS FROM THE PETSCAN AND SEE WHATS NEXT.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, Beverly, and thanks for providing us with this update. I'm sorry for the results and the physician indicating that you are not a good candidate for the surgical procedure. That is always difficult to hear. As well, since, depending on the PET scan results, you're not willing to move forward with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, that is also understandable given the experience you've had with your son. This is a very challenging situation. As you said, being patient and waiting for the PET scan is the right thing to do now. We're all pulling for you, Beverly! Warmly, Leon (site moderator)