New to all this but trying to deal with it.

[Kathryn M Egan]

Hi everyone and thank you for welcoming me. I've felt so alone with this; well I guess I am. I've been through the crying part and now it is time to go on. I see Dr. Monday (I was in hosp when this was found)and go from there and try not to circle think; all the what ifs. I'm a mother, wife (for now), grandma and friend and I believe in God and his son. All the contraversial issues are to me irrelavant in my talks with God as I walk a beautiful path beside a river there right out my back fence for now. There's a purpose for everything and I must have something to learn but I am scared stiff.

[susanny]

It is easy for me to say, "don't be scared", as I was once in your shoes. We all were, actually, the day we found out we had COPD, too. You are very smart to have gotten online early on and found this forum. I just looked at info on the disease, didn't know anything about forums, for that matter. But when I did come here I found out there's certainly things to be concerned about, things that need to be changed, new ways to have to do things. But the biggest knowledge I have gleaned from here is I am not going to die for a long time to come. I don't about know you, but I don't know anyone else with COPD and this is the only way I am able to see that people are LIVING with it, not dying from it. And boy, do the people here sure live! I hope you continue to come and visit and sit and chat, and learn, and that you, too, will start to see the future. It ain't all bad after all!

Here's a big (((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))) for you! You sound as if you could use one.
Sue

PS, Are you Sunset by any chance?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

There's really not much more that I could add to Sue's post Kathryn. She summed it up quite well.

When you're first diagnosed it IS scary; no doubt about it. You've come to a caring, supportive place. The members here are quite diverse when it comes to COPD. Although there's some things that are standard and basic, the disease itself can be different for each of us. My only suggestion would be to learn as much as you can (our main website's a good start; it was written with patients in mind) www.copdcanada.ca

One word of caution when you're zipping around on the net looking for info..... not all the sites or information is reliable or accurate. Stick with reputable sources.

You said you're seeing the Dr on Monday. I assume you've already had a breathing test? (PFT or spirometry)

I hope you stick around Kathryn; we'll make every effort to help you see the sunshine that's right there behind the clouds...... Get your sunglasses ready....

[aero63]

Glad you joined, Kathryn.

[John]

Welcome Kathryn; My name is John

[bobbioh]

welcome jump in anywhere bobbi

[susanny]

How did your appt. go with the dr. on Monday? Hope you were able to get some of your questions answered and are feeling better about things.