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Post by chrocary / Jane on Feb 4, 2012 22:43:42 GMT -5
Hi, my name is Jane and I was diagnosed with COPD November 2011. I am still having some difficulty admitting that I have it. I lost my baby sister to COPD just over a year ago and I know that many of you knew her and helped her a great deal, just as I know she helped a lot of you. My sister was Ellen, Cocojax. It would have been Ellen's 60th birthday on December 12, 2011 and I made that my last smoking day. I have not had one since.
I am taking spiriva once a day. I am fortunate in the fact that I can still work and am able to get around reasonably well.
I am finding this very emotional so I will close for now.
Thanks for listening.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Feb 5, 2012 8:01:49 GMT -5
Well Jane; gotta say..... you sat me on my keestra somewhat. And I can certainly understand how you woul;d find posting a bit emtional...... First off; Welcome! It's great to have you with us though the circumstances could be better .Cocojax (Ellen) was loved by many and we were so saddened when she passed away.  And yes; she helped a lot of people.... Well; you probably know a fair bit more than many newcomers to the disease and you'll certainly be able to help and share. Hopefully; you'll benefit as well. I know for me; it seems the more I learn about COPD, the more I realize how much more there is to know. You said you were diagnosed in November and you're on Spiriva; I take it that you're in the early stages? You're also still working.... Way to go lady! I hope that in time you'll feel more comfortable and at home here and I also hope that in time you'll find it a bit easier to accept your diagnosis. We believe in "living with", not "suffering from" and a lot of that is becasue we share info and learn from each other. You're gonna be around for a good long while if you do the right things..... And; You just did a whopper by giving up the smokes.What a tribute to your sister and what a gift you gave yourself at the same time.  I'd like to put something here, and I hope it doesn't upset you in a negative way, but Cocojax had a special graphic and post she use to when new members joined (actually she had 2, but this was her first one) and it seems only befitting that I put it here for you....  Hi (your name would go here) so glad you could join us here at Copd in Canada ( philns.proboards46.com/index.cgi) our interactive forum,
we have a great group here, made up of people Living with Copd,
Carefgivers, Family Members etc.,
If you have any questions or concerns we will certainly try and find the answers for you.
Please feel comfortable to join in anytime.COPD CANADA Patient Network ( www.copdcanada.ca ) is our Parent Website, A Federally incorporated, registered Charitable Organization,
made up of, and run by, Canadians "living with" COPD,filled with Great Information,
our free sign up is located here ( www.copdcanada.ca/sign_up.htm ) My name is CoCojax (aka Ellen)
Welcome To Our Group! |
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Post by annabob on Feb 5, 2012 11:30:40 GMT -5
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Post by susanny on Feb 5, 2012 11:44:42 GMT -5
Welcome, Jane. I am sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, but it is good that you came here to learn about how you can help yourself and others with the disease. I know that you already know a lot about COPD from your sister's experience, so the biggest help I think you'll find is the latest information out about it and also the support and friendships that are available here. i never was able to 'meet' Ellen, but I've read her past postings and have received a lot of help and information from her experiences that has been of great benefit to me. Your sister was much loved by those here who did know her. It was a real surprise this morning to see your post. I can imagine finding out you have COPD yourself must have been somewhat of a shock as well. Glad to hear you've quit smoking and I hope it hasn't been too awfully hard for you. If you ever need to talk about anything, you've found the right place to do it.
Again, welcome, and hope to see you often,
Love, Sue
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Post by mary57 on Feb 5, 2012 12:56:00 GMT -5
Welcome to the group Jane, it's always hard to accept our diagnosis at first. Though you like me had family members who did have and die from COPD. I found it gave me the knowledge to get an early diagnosis, rather than just pushing through, but according to my resp. I still 'waited' too long. I worked for over 5 yrs. after my diagnosis, and now that I'm unable to work I find life to be OK, not having to 'perform' on time to a schedule but rather at my own pace. I hope to 'meet' you at the fence, more so after you have come to terms with yourself about this, meanwhile keep smiling life is good....really!!
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Post by John on Feb 5, 2012 13:07:52 GMT -5
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Post by bobbioh on Feb 5, 2012 16:18:22 GMT -5
welcome jane, im so glad you came to us. i knew ellen well and loved her very much. you will get along just fineas long as you stay away from the smokes and stay active. im so glad you stopped smoking thats great im proud of you. i lost my brother in 2002 to a massive heart attack, he was 44. so i know your pain.and a good friend told me about a year later when i confessed i just couldnt make it through this loss and feel normal,that was ok maybe id never feel normal again and its alright to grieve for as long as it takes....well i know shes right because not a day goes by i dont miss him or think of him.hope to see you lots here. bobbi
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Post by linndie2 on Feb 5, 2012 16:23:40 GMT -5
Welcome Jane. Your sister was a sweet Lady. Always postive and nice. Hope you come back, post and get to know us all, were a family and you are too. It's ok to luke, to read to post, we understand we really do.  ((((((((((((((((((((((((((Huggles ))))))))))))))))))))))  Linndie |
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Post by gwenwigley on Feb 5, 2012 17:06:38 GMT -5
Welcome Jane!! So very glad you joined us. Ellen was such a very special lady, it was a priveledge to know her. She helped so many people here and I know that she would be pleased to feel you were a part of this very special group. I hope that you will share your ups and downs with us and we will try to support you in any way we can. Hugs Gwen   |
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Post by chrocary / Jane on Feb 5, 2012 17:53:49 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone for your warm welcome. As most of you know it is a difficult road and I am still finding my way. I know Ellen was an inspiration to many of you and well as to our family. I have caught this disease earlier I think. I had a bad case of broncitis in late October and went to the Doctors. She gave me some antibiotics and said she wanted to see me back in a couple of weeks. I went back in mid November and after having a check up, she suggested I have a test to check for COPD. Not sure what it was called, but I blew into tubes, they gave me ventolin puffs and I blew into tubes some more and all this was recorded on a computer. My doctor called me two days later and wanted to see me asap. The results had come back terrible. According to her she wasn't sure how I was walking across her office. After some discussion we decided, yes number 1, I had to quit smoking. I had reduced my smoking a lot, I was still having maybe 6-8 per day. Number 2 I had to go on spiriva and number 3, I must excercise. And in 2 months go back and have the test redone, which I did this past week. I haven't seen my doctor to get the results yet, but am keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't anywhere near as bad as the first results. As I mentioned I quit smoking and my son bought me an excercise bike for Christmas so I am trying to do as I have been told. ( Sometimes difficult for me!!) A little personal information about me, I am a widow and have been for 20 years. I have 3 wonderful children, 2 girls and a son and have 4 grandchildren, 3 boys and 1 girl. I work sometimes crazy hours, don't hate me but I do income tax as well as teach it. So I am getting into my busy time. This generally allows me my summers off and then start back in the fall teaching. So far my health has not interferred in my working and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get too tired this year. I would like to stay involved with the group as I know Ellen loved you all and spoke highly of the organization. Again thanks for the welcome and hugs back to all of you!!  |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Feb 6, 2012 8:40:44 GMT -5
Well; we would like you to stay involved in the group here too. No arguments or objections from us! You had a spirometry, or a PFT test (that's what the breathing test you had was) If you want to read a bit more about a PFT copdcanada.ca/pft_numbers.htmIf you want to read more on spirometry copdcanada.ca/understanding_your_numbers.htmI think you'll also find that most patients will recommend you get and keep copies of your tests. The technician or your Dr will give them to you. Some Dr's even recommend that as well. Sounds like yes; you're at an early stage of COPD and it's very possible when you took the first test that you may have been having a flare up or exacerbation. That might explain why the Dr would be thinking/surprised that you could walk across her office. Duh, me!  You did say you'd had a bout of bronchitis. Anyway; this time when you go in, ask them for copies. You're gonna be around a good like time Jane and way to go with the exercising! |
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Post by Suzanne (Suz) on Feb 8, 2012 8:46:16 GMT -5
Welcome Jane and so sorry for your loss. I don't write often in here but try to come and check once in a while. I quit smoking 4 yrs ago and 1 yr later I found out I had Copd, my mom has Copd too. It's a hard road but it's achievable. I'm 50 now and am still working part-time and curl once a week and try to do some toning exercises here and there during the week. But I never managed to get a routine going *silly me*.... maybe one day I will. Anywho, welcome and hope to see you in here once in while when I show up.  ! |
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And yes; she helped a lot of people....
!