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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 12:12:22 GMT -5
Hi everyone I'm Paul and I am 42 years of age. On the 25th March this year I was diagnosed with COPD. I saw the asthma nurse at my Dr's and had me do a spirometry test. The first try came out at 51% and then the second test some 20 mins later after using ventolin came out at 62%. The test was repeated a month later and it came out at 52% and 66% after ventolin. Since then plenty of things have happened, I have turned from a outgoing fun loving full of life person into a nervous wreck, on happy pills and I google copd every moment I am awake. I have lost interest in everything that I used to do and just do not have the will to live anymore. A day does not pass without me crying and I just do not know where to turn anymore. People have tried helping me, but I have brain washed my self so badly by googling copd that I know I am now at the point of doing something crazy.
I so want to live, I love life, BUT... I am so scared of what happens in copd when it becomes worse that I cannot face that anymore. I have read on so many sites that its imposible to live loger than 10 years with with a fev1 of 50%.
Even worse, a few days ago I asked for a another spirometry test, I had stopped smoking and was exercising more. I was so looking forward to adding a few % points to the 52% that I had blown a month ago. To my horror it had not increased, but had dropped to 45%.
A 7% drop. at this monthly loss rate, I will not be around for Christmas.
Even if I return to normal lung decline of 30ml a year, that will not get me to 50, (another 8 years).
My Dr told me I can easily get to my 70s, without being to disabled by it.
Its not that I do not believe him, its that I have spent the last three months googling up to 18 hours a day looking for hope. And all I can find are graphs etc, which show lung decline and me gasping terribly for air and dying very young.
I am not seeing a pulmory Dr yet, I am awaiting a appointment, Hope to get that in the next month or so.
No mention of Rehab, nothing at all. My Xray looks terrible, I have been told that it shows mild hyper inflation and lung disease
I feel like I have been sent home with a blue ventolin and symbicort to die. ================
What I do not understand is, why such a big drop in one month, I have just been out for a walk, and walked half a mile in 8 minutes without any SOB. I feel healthy, but I feel so messed up in my head. I had so much to live for. Now the thought of knowing it will not be long untill I feel like I am holding my nose and trying to breath through a straw, is terrifying me every moment I am awake. ========================================
I want to get to be at least into my 70s without gasping for air. But everything I have read tells me I will not make 50. Thats less than 8 years. ----------------------------------------------------
Knowing I will never see my kids grow up, or grand kids, is driving me crazy. ==================
Please dont say I may get knocked down by a bus tomorrow, I have heard that so many time. ===========================
Now the realy stupid part. I have thought about ending it all a couple of times in recent weeks, I get that crazy thought when I wake at 3am / 4am after having a nightmare about copd. I am getting the nightmares regular.
As much life is so important to me, I cannot face up to a slow and painful death gasping and fighting for air. I feel like if I cannot make a good age, that it would be better to go before the suffering starts.
Also I was so stupid last night, I was so depressed over the 7% drop that I bought a pack of smokes which means all the hard work of being of them for three months as be ruined. I dont know why I did it. I just got so low, it was either have a few smokes, or a handful of sleeping pills.
I am really desperate for help. Others have been so kind and understanding, I just cannot get my head around the death penalty that googling says I have.
Paul
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 12:14:24 GMT -5
My actual spirometry results from last month are
fvc 3.92 liters 81% normal
fev1 2.07 liters 52%
after ventolin 2.47 liters 62%
Dr says I have a asthma eliment. is there really enough lung function to get me into my 70s ?
Please Please reply
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 12:22:35 GMT -5
I was also tested last week for Alpha One that came back negaitive
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 12:27:38 GMT -5
sorry for these quick replies, I took a walk earlier and timed my self. Half mile walk in 8 mins. Is that good or bad. Did not get sob, did not have to stop. I think its okay, not sure.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jun 21, 2009 12:50:11 GMT -5
Wow Paul;
You've a LOT going on in that think tank of yours right now........ and you know what?
It ISN'T as bad as you think it is (judging by your numbers etc and what you've said)
There's a lot I want to respond to, and I know others will as well.... just please be patient becasue it's gonna take awhile for me to type some stuff; and for the others to see your post since it is Sunday and Father's Day....
I just didn't want you thinking you were being ignored becasue you're not.
One thing's for sure......... I think you've got a much LONGER life ahead of you than you perceive!
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 13:14:47 GMT -5
Thanks Blosom I am desperate. My numbers scare the **** out of me. I cant get it out of my head that I will not make 50. I want to get into my 70s. I witnessed two horrible deaths in the last 8 years. One from a lung collapse and one from ovarian cancer. Both resulted in gagging for breath for around 24 hours. The NUMBERS are driving me crazy..... I am desperate every day.
All the numbers say to me, was 52% minus 3 per year, and now 45 - 3 per year (3 being normal lung decline)
I am also so mad with myself that after 3 months of being off the smokes that I caused more terrible damage today, when I lost the plot and had a pack of smokes.
Please explain what you mean when you have the time, by my numbers not being that bad.
I keep thinking that 55% of my lungs are no good. last month 48 % no good
I want to get into at least my 70s
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Post by Vic on Jun 21, 2009 13:27:22 GMT -5
With your numbers Paul, you can look forward to a long, long life if you have stopped smoking and don't get hit by a bus.
I don't see any reason that you can't make it to your middle 70's, at the very least, and before that there will probably be some sort of a COPD reversal treatment available...they aren't all that far away.
What you are going through now is the initial diagnosis shock...I've been there...Big Time!!! Whan all the smoke clears and you learn a lot more about this disease, you will understand more and become quite comfortable about it. It's not a death sentence by a long-shot. That took me a long time to find out, but it's absolutely true. One more thing that is in your favor in a large way is the big upward adjustment after bronchodilation...that indicates an Asthma component which is far more easily controlled.
I was diagnosed 12 years ago with 42% and I now bounce around from 34% to 39%...that's nowhere near the drops you are reading on other web sites. Keep in touch on responsible Forums, and relax, you're going to be here for quite a long time. -- Vic
P.S. -- Changes in your % readings could be caused by almost anything, including a cold, rain, congestion or just tired diaphragm. Radings can bounce...it is the overall average that is important.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jun 21, 2009 13:32:11 GMT -5
Paul…… I/we couldn’t possibly address e’thing in one or two messages so let’s start with some obvious things; at least to me…… - Your Dr isn’t lieing to you. If anything he should be commended! With your numbers etc, and if you look after yourself there’s no reason you can’t live into your 70’s and longer (especially with the work that’s currently being done) - It’s also apparent you do have a reversible component - It’s not hard to tell you HAVE been googling and visiting sites…… you know some of the lingo etc. Having said that…… there’s also such a thing as overkill. With COPD it’s NOT one size fits all and many COPDer’s will tell you exactly that! I know of folks who’ve been living with this disease for many years. - Your walk time is Excellent as is your physical response to same (Believe it or not but there’s a lot healthier people who can’t do a min mile!) - The change in your spirometry numbers of 7% - This is NOT unusual. It can be the weather; the last time the machines were calibrated, or how YOU are feeling/doing on a given day. - I don’t know where you’re from though I suspect the U.S. since you use the term Pulmonary Dr. I don’t know the criteria for Rehab BUT it would seem to me you DON’T need it yet and it might be best reserved for folks in not as good as shape as you. Now; Let me tell you a couple of things here……. You CAN get a handle on this disease! You CAN manage this disease! You CAN control it rather than it controlling you! You CAN live a good many productive years! If you’re taking “happy pills” as you say…. They’re not working; and if you’re using Champix to quit smoking, you might want to review that with your Dr. Depression isn’t “unusual” for folks with COPD but I’ve gotta tell ya; you’ve a long way to go yet before the big bang! There’s a LOT of COPDer’s who’d give their eye teeth for your numbers. Finally; Paul; this is a caring, knowledgeable supportive group of members here. They’ll help you as much as they can. You’re not alone with this disease unless you choose it. The message board people here, as well as our main organization COPD Canada Patient Network that we’re associated with (www.copdcanada.ca) believes in “living with” COPD. That’s what all these folks do. Finally; education is POWER and we all want to feel/be empowered. I hope you’ll stick around. You can learn and you can educate and share with others as they come along. Easy Breathing Paul Jackie
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Post by Vic on Jun 21, 2009 13:51:53 GMT -5
Paul -- If you check the chart below out, and insert your post-bronchodilation numbers at your age, then follow the curve of the dottred line you will find that you will reach somewhere in your 80's...not too shabby, eh?? -- Vic
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Post by bobbioh on Jun 21, 2009 15:08:47 GMT -5
Paul, I was Dx ed at 30% Im 47. That was 2 yrs ago. I plan on being around awhile. And as long as you dont smoke you should to. Try to relax it will all be ok. Bobbi
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 15:19:39 GMT -5
Hi Vic Thanks so much for the reply, the chart you have shown me, I have spent proberly 100s of hours on (no joke) I mean 100s of hours, dragging the broken line down to my age and fev1. Then I look at the time scale of a stopped smoker from 50% down and that scared me. I'l attach one of the many I was using. When I took the test again on friday, I had not used any ventolin that morning. I've been using a nicotine inaltor since the dx. Its been fine untill earlier when I stupidly had a packet of smokes, I hit a massive depression. Just hope this one packs not caused any further damage.
Paul
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 15:58:45 GMT -5
Hi Jackie Thanks for your reply. A little about me. I'm not in the USA I am in the UK. At the moment living alone, the girl I was seeing, I finished with as I have read so much about care that people with copd need after it gets to 30% I read that is called end stage. And I do not want to be a burden on her, up untill march my future was looking so good, the thought of settling down properly and having a family. I also now how bad it was watching my parents die and that will never leave me, I wouldnt want a kid of mine to go through the same as I did. As for stopping smoking, I found that quiet easy after the first couple of weeks, I am so annoyed that my stress levels and depression resulted in me buying a pack and that I have smoked again today. I could kick myself for being so stupid and causing more damage to my lungs today. I however have no intention on buying anymore. I know that would be deadly. All the googling I have been doing certainly made me so down, seriously, I have averaged - 18 hours daily for three months. Without a day off from it. I have lost interest in everything. I seem to spend all my time googling or crying. I have been into other forums, some are positive. I joined a local copd group. I'm the youngest most are in their 60s to 80 yrs of age. And they all say they wish they were the same as me, what they do not understand is, for example one who is around 70 years old told me his lung function and its 48% so even when mine was 52% I was only 4% better than his function and he's 30 years older than me. I wouldnt mind his lung function if I could get to 70. As for the copd group, its been decided that I no longer go, they find me to negative. They are all old enough to be my mum or dad or my grandparents, this may sound stupid, but I was the baby of the group. Think you know what I mean though. Sure they have been supportive, I went for a month, once a week and they no longer want scared me to go. I suppose yes, at the moment I am feeling sorry for myself, I cannot help it. I am terrified. One thought to me is that someone whos 42 on death row in the usa, stands more chance of reaching 50 than i do. Due to appeals etc. I have nobody at the moment to turn to. I certainly do not wish to be a burden like I was to the copd group that I went to. I know I am not going to fix my feelings overnight, I am to far gone for that. After I did the first spirometry, test all I was given was a leaflet/booklet with a little copd info. Since googling I have learnt about exhaberations. cpap bipap and the feeling of holding my nose and trying to breath through a straw. Nobody told me in person. I've watched videos on youtube of people on o2. Everytime I go shopping now I see someone on a electric scooter whos on 02. I never used to see this. The graph that vic posted terries me, if i was on 75% I wouldnt be no where near as scared as I am I've messed with that graph for weeks, dragging the stop smoking line down to my age and fev1. As for walking I took a second walk after posting earlier. To my Sisters. its one mile exactly and it took about 20 mins. I was only at my sisters for 2 or mins dropping something off. When I left, I took one puff of blue ventolin before setting off for the mile walk home and got home in 19 mins and 25 seconds. Most was on the flat, a little was a incline, maybe a 1/4 mile of it. My mind was saying hey this is cool, its not that bad, then my mind was saying I may find next month I have declined another 7% and I cannot walk even 1/4 mile. I am obsessed by the numbers......... Like I say I do not wish to be a burden to anyone, but I need help so badly and who ever helps me, needs patience with me. Thanks paul
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Post by the bear on Jun 21, 2009 16:22:04 GMT -5
Hi Paul; I am the bear aka Barry. My age is 72 and I still don't know for sure what I want to do when I grow up. What you are going through is the perfectly natural panic stage when you learn of the fact you have a chronic disease that is as yet incurable. We all live with this in the back of our minds. Right now it is in the front of your mind and all the googleing and getting yourself in a worse panic mode is making you depressed. We have all been there and it is just a stage, just like crawling comes before walking. Remember this if you forget everything else. Doctors practice medicine. It is as yet an unexact science. All the numbers and charts will not do anything for you but your mental attitude will. It is how yoiu feel everyday that is the important thing. Remember also that the whole central nervous system is controlled by your brain. If your brain sends a signal to stop either your heart or lungs you are in deep doo doo. So really it is your brain that is in charge, not your lungs. In my own case I remember all too well the feelings of helplessness and hopelesness but that was ten or more years ago now. Like you I googled my way into depression and then found copd groups. Efforts was one and copd international then because this group had not been formed yet back then. When I think back on my life it is nothing short of a miracle that I am still here at all. I smoked heavily, was a fireman in the days before air packs and worked with heavy equipment that largely emitted toxic diesel smoke. I also knocked back more than my fair share of beer too. Don`t want toi lose this so will post now. More later.
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 16:32:45 GMT -5
Thanks Bear. As you can no doubt tell I am refreshing this page often. Yup my minds in a total utter mess. I have read far to much in such a short period of time. I just so want to believe my dr when he says I have plenty of lung function to reach my 70s or beyond. I just want to so get to a good old age without being disabled in the sense that I am gasping for air.
Thanks Paul
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Post by the bear on Jun 21, 2009 16:35:17 GMT -5
Hi again Paul I am also blessed with an inoperatable aortic abdominal aneurysm and a patched up heart. Had bi pass but my heart is in such bad shape that they could only do one valve instead of a quadruple. My wife died with lung cancer in 2002 at 66 years old and just short of our 40th wedding anniversary. Yes I know all about depression. But I have since remarried a wonderful young chick of 67 now and life is good. Put on the rose coloured glasses and think of how good you feel not what the stupid numbers are. You got to laugh when I tell you that I signed a 40 year mortgage a couple of years ago. Being on the green side of the grass is far better than the alternative. The rest of your life is just starting.
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 16:37:10 GMT -5
You guys amaze me, wish I had the strengh and courage that you have.
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Post by lynn on Jun 21, 2009 17:03:32 GMT -5
Bless your heart. i am pretty sure that you have touched all of our hearts. hopefully you will learn positive things on this board other than negative charts etc. numbers are just numbers. when i first started with a new pulmonoligist he wouldn't do a new pft. stated he dosen't believe in numbers. i think that is a good thing. i like others get thru the days not smokingg doing exercises and mainly putting one foot in front of the other and taking one breath at a time. that is really all any of us can do. if we spend all of our time worrying about the future we lose sight of the present and the joy that each day can bring. you said that you walked to your sisters and said that you did good. call that to mind when you are down. there is a posting on copd internation by a guy named mike mcbride that has copd and he walked in the boston marathon and finished the race. hope that you will do and feel better as people respond to you and you figure out that it dosen't have to be all bad. do you have a job or any interest besides copd? thinking of you. lynn
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Post by paul on Jun 21, 2009 17:18:56 GMT -5
Hi Lyn thanks for your reply. I enjoyed the walk earlier, for a few moments it did take my mind off copd. Then as I was approaching home, those four letters struck home again like a sledgehammer. Over here its 11.15pm. My body is so tired, but my mind is in top gear, I so want to get rid off the bad thoughts/ things I have read about. And I am still angry with myself for buying a pack of smokes and smoking today. I cannot believe I have gone 3 months without, only to undo any repair that my lungs were starting to heal and damage them even more.
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Post by chrisw on Jun 21, 2009 19:00:46 GMT -5
Paul, I am so sorry that you have decided to die at or before age 50. I have absolutely no idea where you got the information from, that led to that decision. I really hope that you change your mind, because your decision (I call it that because that is what it has become in your mind and you have that ability to make it so). I was told that I had emphysema in 1992, and like most smokers, I continued to smoke even though I worked in all sorts of dirty industries. Around 1999 I searched on the internet and found a web site that said you will probably die 10 years after being diagnosed. I was stupid enough to tell my wife and scared the cr_p out of her. I have been on oxygen now for six and a half years (I also read that most people are dead after 5 years on Oxygen, but I now know of at least a couple who have been on oxygen for more than 20 years). I also decided to learn about the disease and still spend many hours on most days researching ( but I research to find the latest medical FACTS and not "how long do I have left to live"). I do not walk as far or as fast as you do, but right now I am in Ottawa after attending a meeting of the steering committee of the Canadian Lung Health Framework, and enjoying my grand-daughters birthday, in a couple of weeks I am going on an Alaska cruise, and I walk the dog almost every day. I am also planning on things to be done next year that will require my flying to the other side of Canada again. Again I do hope that you DECIDE to live a good long life, even if in ten years you can't play tennis without getting short of breath!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 19:28:35 GMT -5
Dear Paul, The fear you have is normal, please listen Paul, do not let fear control you, every second you worry and think the worst is a second you could be happy, and living. I had Lung Cancer at 34 years old, had my Entire right lung removed, faced many losses too painful to even speak about. Now I'm 58 and have copd/E/ ASsthma. And guess what? I am very active, yes i still worry to a point, you have come to the right place, here you will find people who understand, and some people much worse off than you. At the m,oment Paul I have major stress in my life, it will work it self out. Don't give fear one moment , one second of your self. I truly know how you feel, there is no cure for copd, but you can live a long life, a happy life you so deserve. You have family, and children who love you, who you love, don't think about ending your life, think about starting a new chapter, were all on this journey called life I shop, clean, cook keep up with two 3 1/2 year oldgrand daughters, and some days are great, some days are bad, but i want all the days I can have. I hope you will post often, and be a part of our family here. We share the good, the bad and the support here is great. Please stick around Paul. p.s. Were not dying from COPD, were living with it! (((((((((Hugs))))))))) Linndie
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Post by Wildoats on Jun 21, 2009 21:21:58 GMT -5
Hi Paul! Brian here. You are about on schedule. I don't think there are too many people in this organization who don't have a souvenier T-shirt from where you are right now. Your posts bring back SO much of my journey. I had a "crisis" (will share more of it another time) and came home from hospital on oxygen and "retired".I was 49.Careful what you ask for...I always wanted to reitre by 50 . At the time of my diagnosis, I had been married for four months. I was so ashamed that I was going to leave her a young widow.And yes the thoughts of hastening the process were there too. Life changing conditions and depression go hand in hand.At the time I had 42%. Last winter I had a PFT and was at 28%. This was eight years later.Which is pretty good for a guy that was given 5..at best. Like you I googled myself into a frenzy. The last straw for me (who previously owned a bakery) was when I couldn't bake a batch of cookies for my girls.An afternoon sobbing on the couch. I don't know what happened Paul. There was never any Eureka moment.I hung around and things got better.I also went through a rehab program and worked with some pretty good doctors. I used to mountain climb.Today I can't.I doubt I would do to well at a marathon.(Although I have put in many entries to carry the torch for the 2010 Olympics) I do however do many of the things I always enjoyed.I camp,fish,garden and cook.I walk my dogs and even give blacksmithing demonstrations at our local museum.All of it is at a different pace than before but just as enjoyable. I will echo Linndie...stick around.Collectively we have several centuries experience with living with this disease. And don't beat yourself up over the smokes.It's called addiction and it's proven to be a tougher one to break than heroin.You have your experience of giving them up "in the bank" so when you take the next kick at it you will at least know what to expect. TRY (I know it's easy for me to say sitting in my chair) not to get too wound up with the numbers;they are good for a guideline but they are numbers.That's all. As has been said, advances are being made daily.There is (especially with getting your Dx before you were very far down)a very great possibility that you will die WITH this disease rather than OF it! Hang in there buddy,it gets better! Brian
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Post by John on Jun 21, 2009 21:34:01 GMT -5
Hi Paul; I'm John ! Glad you found us . We have a great group of people here! I have a fev of 31, no02 & n a fox rate of 95 to 97 . Like you the best thing I ever did was to stop smoking .I've increased my chances of living into my 80' by 100% . I started out with a 37 3 years ago & dropped very quickly to a 30 But have maintain a 31 for 2.5 years now with proper meds , exercise , a positive attitude( most of the time you are what you think you are ) & routine check ups. I live a better life than I did before dx . I can do anything I used to ,just a little slower .Some of that caused by being 61 . Paul I feel younger today than I did10 years ago .The depression & frustration will pass . Your not alone on this new journey that lyes ahead . See you in the am @ the fence get a good nights sleep . Your far from the end of the road Rose says hi also ( Rosie's are resident cat )
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 7:42:39 GMT -5
Paul,
Not only is the support great here, but you will find the latest Information with Lung problems,
If someone doesn't know the answer, they will point you in the right direction. I just want you to know your not alone. Take care of your self Paul, we all care about you.
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Post by the bear on Jun 22, 2009 7:44:36 GMT -5
You are amazed and wish you had the strength and courage we do?? Remember what I said about the brain being in control. You are in control and do have the strength and courage to get through this temporary setback. The rest of us did. Why can't you??
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Post by susanny on Jun 22, 2009 10:55:02 GMT -5
Paul, I am feeling your pain. I was in my 40's when I first had symptoms but didn't get dx'd until I was 52. At the time I was in denial. I had some problems, but nothing "terrible". Because I didn't quit smoking I got much worse in a short time. I could kick myself, now. It wasn't until this past winter that I realized what I was doing to myself, and then started looking on the internet. It scared the living crap out of me. I became very despondent, crying all the time (in private). Then one day I totally broke down, sobbing in a sound I'd never heard before. My poor husband was devastated when I told him what I'd learned on the computer, that I was going to die shortly. We both cried. I felt the same as you do. I'd promised my husband we'd grow old together; now we wouldn't. I'd never see my children have grandchildren, never hold my own children again. I thought about how this would affect everyone I loved. How angry with me they'd be that I "did this to myself". They wouldn't be able to mourn my loss because of all the anger they'd be holding. It was a horrible time for me. I became a recluse.
I know that all of us here have had similar experiences as mine, and yours. It is part of the grieving process, like what we go through when someone we love dies. (I'm not positive, but isn't it denial, anger, acceptance? I think there is one more.) Another thing we have in common is this forum. We all found our way here, and you will find everyone to be honest, caring, and informative. I can't tell you how much this has helped me to understand that I am NOT going to die anytime soon. To accept that I am not going to be able to cure this disease (YET!), but there is still life out there for me to enjoy. I am going to see my grandchildren (if my kids ever produce any!). My family will know I have done everything I can to help myself. I now have hope. And so now does my husband. What this has done is brought us even closer together. It has, in its' own funny way, been a sort of blessing.
I am at peace. Having reached out to the people that love me, and reaching out to complete strangers here, keeps me going. I have started living again. By letting the people back into my life, new doors have opened for me. My eldest sister was so scared for me, afraid I was going to hurt myself. She saw that I had isolated myself and pushed and pulled me back into the world. She wouldn't give up on me. If you have someone in your life like that, let them in. Your girlfriend, call her. Talk to her. Don't make decisions for her. It sounds like she wants to be there for you. Let her.
And don't forget your children. Do you really think that your leaving them now will be any easier than your leaving them years from now because of the disease? Can you imagine what that would do to them? I do not mean to be hurtful, but you have to consider the consequences of your choices. You are soooo not close to dying from COPD. From the sounds of what you are capable of doing, why can't you continue to do the things with your kids that you did before? Let that be what they remember about their dad. When you are old and you are all gathered together, what do you want to reminisce about? Make some good memories.
I plan on hanging around a long time. And enjoying every day I'm here. Why don't you join us and do the same?
With a loving spirit, Sue
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Post by Vic on Jun 22, 2009 12:54:46 GMT -5
Paul -- Below is the Lung Chart set up with your figures of FEV1-63% and age 42 years. One other thing...the chart is showing disability at about 30%. The truth is that there is quite some impairment at 30%, but it is far from being disabling. You enter the Yellow area at about 73 years of age and go til 83 years. These are not engraved in stone since many, many of us decline slower after quitting the weed and doing rehabilitation along with medication. And think about it ......Stem Cells are on the way!!! Stay cool. -- Vic EDIT: BTW Paul, there is one thing you have said that is crying out for correction. That 70-year-old with 48% is not 4% less than you. He is 48% of expected for a 70-year-old man. If he could hit your liter input at his age, he might be somewhere around 80%, and conversely, you would probably be about 25-30% if you had his capacity. If your doing everything you should be doing, you can expect a minimum drop in your percentages, although you liter volume may go down with time. Also, the important number is the percentage after bronchodilation... 63%, not 52%!!!
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Post by paul on Jun 22, 2009 14:58:07 GMT -5
Hi Vic Thanks for the reply. When I pulled down the grey slope, I pulled it down from the last few which were around 50% to my age. I also noticed that it shows not alot of years from 50% to 25% where from 75% to 50% it shows many years. I'm seeing someone on Wednesday about depression, also a resportry nurse next week, and in 4 weeks time a pulmory dr at the hospital. Wish I was seeing her tomorrow
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Post by John on Jun 22, 2009 22:04:50 GMT -5
Paul; Those choices sound good to me! Reach out & let others help you carry the load ! SoundS like you are a giver & enjoy doing so . But now it seems you may have to learn how to graciously receive ,allowing others the joy of giving See you in the am by the fence . Bright & early
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Post by paul on Jun 23, 2009 10:28:24 GMT -5
Just want to thank everyone for all the support they have given me. I took a phone call yesterday and that made me realise that my thoughts were correct. Thanks everybody and I wish you all well,
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jun 23, 2009 11:15:41 GMT -5
This thread is closed. I have been in contact with Paul and I hopefully he'll join us in other areas. I know you will welcome him.
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