Staying focused

By stanley

1 min read

If someone had told me 30 years ago I would be on oxygen I wouldn't have believed it. Yet here I am I have COPD and I'll be honest with you it's depressing but I have to stay focused I'm on oxygen 24/7. This year I've been to the hospital 6 times, some days are good and some are bad. I have congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and a pacemaker. I can't feel sorry for myself, I can't stop living someone somewhere is worse off than me there are times when I think I can't go on anymore but each day someone inspires me and that inspiration gives me the will to fight in focus if it's something as simple as cleaning around the house if I feel weak I tell myself you can do this. I say to all of you also you can do this. Stay strong and focus, God bless all of us

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Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
Stanley, you have a wonderful attitude in approaching living with COPD. Staying focused, taking things day to day, doing what you can when you can is a great perspective! I'm glad you are part of the community and helping encourage others to live their best life with COPD as well. ~Allyson (COPD.net team)
sirfrancis Member
Hi Stanley, I like the God bless all of us. I believe that is where we can get our strength from. Rather than focus on the health problem we do need to encourage ourselves with other things. I am sure there are a lot of fine folks here who are dealing with the same issues that you have. I wish you the best and thanks for you post.
dunman Member
Stanley. When I read about you, I though it was me. Same situation exactly Severe COPD, CHF, Sleep Apnea, pacemaker and now add to the list some suspicious nodes on my lungs. I had stage 4 Esophageal cancer 11 years ago, and somehow I managed to survive that. A heart attack in 2002 with 3 stents now in my heart. Been living on overtime these days but it's becoming difficult to do much now. Never thought bathing or dressing would become so hard. I can still get around on oxygen tanks, but not very far maybe 10 feet then I'm wiped out. The congestive heart failure has become the devil these days because it causes your lungs feet and legs to build up fluid. So, no more than 2 liters of water, 2000 mg salt per day, and it's manageable. My wonderful kids compare me to the spaceship in Apollo 13. Which part of the ship is still working? I'm 66 now, never thought I'd even make it this far. Still, plenty to live for, reading, movies, sundays with the family, sitting out on the deck on a warm summer night. Just took up the electric guitar (because I can). Sure I miss camping and swimming and trips to Vegas, but I have a wonderful wife who is my rock and I consider myself lucky I met her 41 years ago. You just try to do what you can do. I do a little exercise with a portable peddling machine and 3 lb weights. I find that if your legs and arms are stronger you use less oxygen. Just a little each day. Starts slow and work your way up. After all, what else did you have planned? I even just lift and twirl my legs around when I'm just sitting still, and that helps build up strength. I've got a wheelchair, so my wife can take me to the mall or to the park. Not ashamed to use it either. I also know what it is like to gasp for air like you are drowning and the pain that goes with it. It is the most frightening thing other people will never know. Doctors won't do much to help with this, since they are so afraid to give you something that will slow down your breathing or get you hooked? Marijuana is about to become legal in Canada this July (we hope) so I'll be baking some brownies and cookies. I don't care what anyone thinks, we need help to relieve our terrible symptoms and anxiety, and if that helps, I'm all for it. Well enough. I babble on too much. Hang in there buddy, I know what you're going through. You just do what you can do and don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. We don't want pity or prayers either. We want as much help as we can get.
camella42 Member
Hi Stanley I also have the same things go on as you, but not sleep apenia. I'm on 3 meters and each day I'd different but if I accomplish 2 things in a day in happy. Making meals it hard to do. Hope you have a good breathing day today
1. Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
 Camella42, you are not alone in experience cooking as a challenging task with COPD! I thought you might appreciate this article series that offers some tips and tricks for cooking and eating with COPD: <a href='https://copd.net/living/overcoming-eating-challenges-part-1' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/overcoming-eating-challenges-part-1/</a> ~Allyson (COPD.net team)
willdoe Member
Thank you for your post, Stanley; Someone, somewhere, is worse off than I am. I needed to hear that. I'm doing laundry this morning, I plan on changing the bed then taking a nap. I have to rest up for game-night these days! Being around people, cannula and all, is important for me. It helps keep me stable, avoid self-pity and to keep my sense of humor. Thanks again, The Best! willdoe
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Look at you, WillDoe! - doing laundry, changing the bed linens and napping! All good things!! And planning your socialization, too. Keep up the good work!!! Leon (site moderator)