| Mary Paul: Though I had smoked since I was 15, it never bothered me until I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in 1993. Three years and two hospitalizations later, the diagnosis included severe COPD/emphysema. I didn't want to believe it, so I just went into denial and continued to smoke, until Nov 1998 when I almost died from a simple case of bronchitis. Then reality finally sank in, along with fear, anger, and depression. I wanted my life back the way it was, but it was clear this disease wasn't going to go away and I needed to learn how to cope with it. So I began searching the Internet for information.
Thankfully, in Aug 1999 I found the support group (through Bill Powell's "papapoo" site). I'd never talked to anyone else with COPD before, and it was so comforting to know I wasn't alone, and to find that life, and happiness, isn't over just because of COPD. In fact, I've made new friends who are very dear to me through our support group that I wouldn't have met otherwise. I'm very lucky to have my husband Warren as my caregiver, and I appreciate him even more now than I did before. I love music and enjoy playing and working on the computer, and just relaxing. Adjustments do have to be made, but they're not all bad either. There are so many caring people in this group that take the time to help others going through the same thing, and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to be a part of it. |
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