New to Forums?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Are You New to Forums?

It’s O.K.; we all were at one time so please don’t feel intimidated. Pretty soon you’ll be an old hand or a regular.

Currently you do not need to be a registered member here to post on any topic. It would be nice if you did but; that’s up to you. Once you register we’ll be alerted and someone will post a “Welcome” with your name soon thereafter ….

Uhhhhh but you say….”These people are all buddies and have known each other forever. I'd feel like an outsider butting in.” Not true..

Chances are they’ve met here or elsewhere on the internet. It might have been yesterday or maybe it was last year. You see because we all share a common bond; (COPD); that in itself gives us an automatic intro. From your first post on you’ll be made to feel at home, treated like a family member (because you are); as if you’ve been here forever…..

Sometimes people simply come here to read and learn, some check in daily and others post or share something only occasionally. It doesn’t matter. What DOES matter is that you ARE here. You’re NOT ALONE out there. You have a larger group of friends and extended family than you think. We support each other because living with this disease can drag a person down. If you let us we’ll help “shore you up” when you need it, and in turn you can do the same for us when we need it.

Not sure how to get started? If you’re reading a thread (a message with different people contributing to) and you want to add something, just look at the top right; in the red bar you’ll see “Reply” click on it and you’re off and running OR go to the bottom where it says “Quick Rely” and start typing. When you’re finished just hit “Post” There’s a whole lot of other things you can do as well but you’ll learn as you go along. Don’t even be afraid to do a “test” post. Like I said…..we’ve all been there. Even if you have a question “how do I?” …..just post away.

So;jump right in and get your feet wet; after all, you can’t test the water from the shoreline!

Breathe Easy & Welcome!
Jackie (aka Blossom)

[Deleted]

Hi my name is Mags just new on here and feeling very down at the moment

[maryaz]

Mag; Maybe we could help with a little 'pick me up' if you tell us a little about yourself.

Assume you have COPD. Do you live in Canada or somewhere else. Are you alone or live with someone. Is the disease new or old for you. Just anything to get acquainted. There are no musts here.

It sometimes helps just to know others care and this is a very caring group.

[Deleted]

Hi Mags here .COPD is not to new to me .but wasn,t sure about all the meds and stuff like that,was on spriva ,advent and the blue puffer,then took a heat attack in may ,was in hospital for a bit .but nobody mention COPD to ,told them I had it ,they did an angiogram ,then told my heart muscle was damaged ,was out for a week then got taken back in as they thought it was a heart again was there for a week then got out on home oxygen , but I am very tiny ,and trying to deal with a lot ,don,t eat never got an appetite been giveing antidepressnts but thats has me crying all the time.but today going to my trailer to see if it helps me out .will try to understand,and deal with one problem at a time.sorry i,m not very good at trying to explain my self as I have so much on my mind at the same time


Mags

[cocojax]

Hi mags, sounds like you have been through a lot, sometimes is can be so overwhelming, you have the right to sit down and have a big cry every now and then, it releases some of the stress. We all have really broad shoulders here, but for every time you cry, also try and laugh. I am very petite also, I find it a big challenge to keep my weight up, I now just eat several times a day, sometimes just one mouthful. It then begins to get easier..Have a good time at your trailer, remember we are here for you....

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Mags; ahhhhh Hon....

I'm sorry I missed your post earlier BUT I'm here now as are others for whenever you need us or just want to share as you did

Boy; it sounds like you've been through the mill and then some...how totally awful for you! No wonder you're feeling depressed! Heck I would be too. I think I'd be looking for a hole to crawl into then wanting to putt the cover over the top. You wanna cry? You go right ahead and have a good gut wrenching ball; a private pity party. I think you've earned the right.

Then; hopefully you'll stop, take a deep breath and start sharing and caring with us here.

There's a couple folks here who have a problem keeping weight on too(like Coco); it'a constant battle isn't it? Then if you have no appetite.....that's even worse.

Do you have family Mag? Maybe you could tell us a bit about them?

For now; go do your private time at the trailer....get some of what you're feeling out of your system then get you fanny back here! Alright?
(I can talk that way to folks ; comes with the territory of being an Aministrator ;D

If you decide not to go to the trailer; that's O.K. too Either way we'll be right here waiting for your return.

(I'll leave this post here for now so you can find it then move it later to another area/spot once you check back in. That way (once I move it) other folks will be able to find it better and be able to converse with you)

[cheryl]

Hi Mags, Have a great time at your trailor and try to relax. Just know that there are lots of people here who will give you tons of support. Don't hesitate to call on us if you need an ear or a shoulder. We're here for you always. Take care.

[Deleted]

Hi im new to this site.I was told I have moderate to severe emph. Two weeks ago.Father had same illness.Held his hand till the end.I loved him alot,never thought I would get the same thing.They say I have33% lung capacity.Been sick couple months now.Go to new pulmo.
doctor first of nov.Im really tired and cant do things around the house like I want.Back problems also hard to exerice

[cocojax]

deepcreek, I know it seems really hard right now, but please try and drop in daily to our forum, most of us have been where you are, and we are learning every day new ways to deal with COPD.

Joyce7 one of our members does a marvelous job of describing her rehab program that she is taking, she gives such positive insight into how things can change.

Most of us have learned how to modify our lives and are actually doing quite well..Please contact any one of us at anytime, should you just need someone to talk to.

If you click on anyone of the moderators or members you can send a private message to them and we can respond to you privately...Please take care.....You are definitely in my thoughts

Ellen
(Cocojax)

[cheryl]

Deepcreek,

My deepest sympathies for your loss. It is very difficult when you can't do all that you used to be able to do. I used to run up and down the stairs all the time. Now I've learned to adapt and pace myself. It is frustrating, but I do just fine. You will too. If you're having a difficult time performing some tasks, you'll get lots of friendly advice how to do different things. Welcome!!!

[John]

Deepcreek
I too was very tired & couldn't do very much @ all 18 mo.s ago . I was dx in June of 06. Today ; No smoking since then + meds Sprivia albertuol & uniphyl + exercise & becoming a member of this wonderful on line family , have made a huge difference. I can do most of the things a 59 year old male can do . Just a little slower, but faster than I could 18 mo.s ago. I have gone from feeling I was going to die in a couple of years to someone who feels & hopes that I have 20 to 25 good years left! God willing .Ones attitude also makes a big difference . I can't promise you anything. I can say one either manages this disease or this Disease will manage you . Hang in there ! At least when one hits bottom . One has only one direction to go & that it up. So hop aboard & enjoy the journey

[Joyce7]

Mags, I hope so much you are feeling better now and eating a little more. I know some have talked about how hard it is to eat since they have no appetite. I can imagine that would be very true. Please just pick someone, anyone, and talk with them about it, one on one. Sometimes, crying it out with someone holding your hand and caring means a lot and makes a difference. People here really do care. Stay in touch...Joyce in SC


Deepcreek--I lost my father many years ago to copd, and it was a hard loss for me. Now, here I am with the same disease, but I'm lucky in that new medications have come out, and thank goodness for my oxygen...it has made the world of difference in my life and being able to get out and do things. Also, my pulmonary rehab is strengthening me each time I attend and making me healthier and now more of my oxygen is being used for other things rather than it all going towards just taking that one more step or so to get from here to there. When I compare how I felt this past August to how I feel now, I'm not even the same person. I have more energy and I have found out that my get up and go, did not get up and go. Today I have cooked and baked and I even showered and washed my hair and had a visit with my daughter. That's a lot for me all in one day. I couldn't have done all that in August, but now in October, I can and I did. I'm tired, but a good tired and I'm breathing well. Never say Never.....Joyce in SC

[Deleted]

I am listed in my pulmo dr. book that I am writing a new one for the medical field. I am severe stage Copd and have CO2 retention. It registered 180 and normal should be 35 to 45.. I was taken to the hospital and admitted and he had my husband call all my family in because he siad I would never make it through the night. That Has been one year ago and I am still here!! I now carry around 70 to 75 CO2 but am doing fine. I also battled lung cancer in April of 2006 and thankfully, I have won that battle so far with no reoccurences for the past year. Many prayers helped tremendously with all the problems that I have had over the last couple years. Surgery for a bowel obstruction, kidney stones that had to have stent put in to drain it and then after that the crusher when the infection was gone.. Then heart went haywire and they had to stop it and restart it to get it back in rythum. Then my middle son developed bladder cancer in February and my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer in March.. My son came through in fine shape. MY sister passed away the 20th day of August and I still haven't gotten over that yet. She was my only family, just her and me, always as we lost our Mother when we were young. I was 14 and she was 17. Think I have probably said too much already. I just felt I had to get some of this of my chest. Sorry.

[John]

Sunbeam; Sorry for your stress & losses Never be sorry for sharing your feelings . Remember" something shared makes it half as heavy ".Take care of your self & may Peace and serenity be with you .

[cheryl]

Sunbeam,

My deepest sympathies over the loss of your sister. Like John said, never be sorry for sharing. That's what we're here for. We support each other. Sometimes it makes you feel better just knowing that there is a place to go where you know others will listen. Anytime you need to talk and unload. We're here for you. Please take care.

[cocojax]

sunbeam, I am so sorry for your loss. Don't ever worry about coming in here to vent, this is one of the reasons we are here. This is what makes us friends. It really can lighten the load you carry by sharing with others. You will learn a lot of new things from the great people that belong to our site....

Click to make larger..

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sunbeam....I just saw this today. I apologize.

You're with family here....although we can't be there for you like your sister; we're here nevertheless and we'll stay that way for as long as you want us to be.

You're NOT alone and you'll never have to ride those rough waters w/o an extended family by your side.

[John]

Thank you very much for the poem Ellen