Jan Reynolds: We've all done some dumb things in our lives, my dumbest was to begin smoking at age 27. That was in 1972. I grew up with two parents/grandparents that smoked all the time. Lots of second hand smoke. At age 52 I collapsed at work and was rushed to the hospital. While there for 2 weeks, I was diagnosed with severer COPD/Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Severe Asthma, Diabetes and a host of other ailments. Talk about shock hitting you in the face. I'd never even heard of COPD before. Once I got home in 99 I started researching COPD on my computer. I found this Group and have been a member ever since. My last few FEV1 readings have been 22%. I'm a O2 retainer so I'm not on oxygen unless I'm having major problems. Almost right away I signed up for the Watch Program which at that time was only one group, A. The Program has since grown quite a bit. When Bill asked for volunteers, I signed up for a Chat Host. It was a new program at the time. A bit later I asked to help out where I could�that is when I took over the Watch Program. Another year or two later, Debbie Thompson asked me to assist her with the Cadre. I accepted then she got too sick and I handled it for a couple years alone. I then asked Mike Howerton to assist me and he accepted. What a blessing this Group was and still is. I truly believe I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for this Group. I've learned so very much and still am to this day. My goal is to give back to others that which I have received. I've never been one to sit on my hands and let time pass�.I get involved. I cannot sit and do nothing, I never could � I think it's from growing up on a farm. There is always work to do and I thrive on it. I do have my bad times, but I adjust and go on. That's what life is for most of us, making adjustments and going on. Every day is great because I woke up. I have such wonderful friends from here that if it took me getting this disease to get to this point, then great. I wouldn't change my life now, it's great and I have the most wonderful extended family. I hope to extend it even more. e-mail Jan Return