introduction Goof

[goof]

Hi, I would like to introduce myself.
I'm a member of the Dutch COPD-forum.
I've been diagnosed with COPD in 2001 presently in Gold stage 3.
I work out at the physiotherapist normally two times a week.
I recently stopped working as a mentor at the Fotoacademy in Amsterdam 1 day during the week.
I like to ride my bicycle for shopping.

[martie]

W!!elcome Goof to a great group of people and a great forum. Don't think twice about asking questions or making a comment. Join us daily at the fence for coffee, tea and sometimes rolls. See you soon

[sandy07]

Welcome to the group. Jump in whenever you feel comfortable.

[John]

][[/IMG][/URL] Hi Goof Like Martie & Sandy have said Welcome

[helen]

Goof
Nice to meet you here as well as on the Dutch forum!

[goof]

thanks for a warm welcome

[aero63]

welcome goof and glad that you joined. Nice introduction.

[susanny]

Welcome to the group, Goof. It is nice to meet one of Helen's co-forum members. Jump in and join us whenever you'd like!

Sue

[goof]

Further introduction.
I'm a single white male living in the beautiful city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

In 2001 I was told that I was suffering from emphysema and that was it, nothing else was said nor advise given. Thank you Internet.
I started to go to physiotherapy twice a week and concentrated on condition training and forgetting about muscle strength.
In 2007 I asked my Doctor for a test, that was taken in the hospital and revealed that I was diagnosed in stage Gold 3.
Due to 3 CVA's in my life,the last one being the one I noticed 3 years ago I had an emotional 'burn out'.
Effects of the last CVA are impaired typing- and writing abilities (TX Spell check), difficulties with eye-hand coordination and supersensitive to high pitched sounds.
After therapy I realized that I was very lucky, that that is the extend of the damage.

I worked Academy for Photography as mentor but I had to stop last July because COPD made impossible to function properly.
Photography is still my hobby, as is reading at the moment I'm reading a lot of Paulo Coelho's

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Well Goof; thanks for sharing with us..... you've had a bit of a bumpy go round. As for being diagnosed at Gold 3, you must have been in pretty good shape to not feel it worse with your breathing. Or, maybe you did and it just took them awhile to test and do something about it.

I can't say I'm familiar with Paulo Coelho; what does he write? Sci Fi, Murder, mystery?

Photography..... I use to do a lot of that myself.... my preference was macro. I don't use my good camera equipment much anymore; I got lazy when we got a digital. But; I don't feel the same "control" of the shot and it's much more "limiting" with a digital.

Anyway.......... it's nice having you here Goof..... See you at the fence!

[susanny]

I would never have guessed that you have problems with typing, etc. You must be very careful as your messages are perfect. What excellent English you have, as well!

Sorry you've had more than your share of health issues. I guess that's life, isn't it? But you have certainly made the best of it. It must have been very difficult to give up a job that also involved a passion you have. I'm glad you are one of the lucky ones that can continue on with your hobby.

I've never heard of that author, either. Always looking for something/someone new to read. Perhaps I'd be interested in reading something of his, if I knew more about what he writes. I usually have 2 books going at a time, . Will finish one of my current books today. The other is one we are reading together as the Book Review Club we have here on the Forum.

[goof]

Thank you for your kind words Jackie and Susanny.
I'm indeed very lucky to be able to do my photography.

I hope this is a good place to post this

About the Author Paolo Coelho:
He is an enchanting story teller, bit mystic, bit spiritua, bit poeticl but always down to earth.
His global bestseller The Alchemist established his reputation.

The latest book I've finished is titled: Veronika decides to die.
Veronika has everything she could wish for - young and pretty, with plenty of attractive boyfriend, a steady job, a loving family.
Yet Veronika is not happy and one winter's morning she takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake uo some time later in the local mental institution.
There she is told that her heart is now irreparably damaged and she has only a few days to live...

Trough these intens days Veronika comes to realize that every second of existence is a choice between living and dying.
This is a moving and uplifting song to life, one that reminds us that every moment in our lives is special and precious

[susanny]

Sounds like a book I'd like to read. Thanks for sharing the story, I'll be looking for it. I get my books through the library and fortunately they are able to get books they don't have on their own shelves from other libraries in the county. Hope it's available. One important question: Is it available in English?

[goof]

Yes it is. I do my reading mostly in English, because the paperback are cheaper

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I hope you'll suggest it Goof in the Book Review club area.

[maryaz]

Goof, Welcome to the board. This is a good group. I enjoyed reading the posts about yourself. Interesting. I knew the author’s name was familiar and couldn’t remember why until you mentioned The Alchemist. I cannot say that I read it, but my best friend read it and kept saying how much she was enjoying it. This was years ago. I always had it on a list to read but my reading time is so limited. She reads a lot. Here is a link to The Alchemist if anyone wants to read more about it.
tinyurl.com/5rmujps

Photography I think is a great hobby or interest. My Dad was into it somewhat. One of my sons likes to take pictures and really has a good eye for them. I have a niece that was an exchange student over 20 years ago in Netherlands and pretty sure it was in Amsterdam she was in. That family attended her Wedding in Wisconsin USA later years. Nice family and enjoyed meeting them.

Will look forward to reading more from you. Again, a big welcome to a good group. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

It is nice to have people that understand how we are feeling or dealing with this disease. It is also good to focus on other areas and not just the disease. This board has the variety.

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This post was modified only to remove an Easter Egg from the hunt)