Post by Toni on Apr 15, 2008 16:26:28 GMT -5
Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Thread Started on Jul 25, 2007, 12:40am »
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To COPD patients - You should read this and post it where everyone can read it...or better still give them a copy and watch their reactions.........
Sick lungs don't show!
I may not look sick, BUT....I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD)
What is COPD? It includes such illnesses as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma. It is primarily characterized by extreme shortness of breath.
Living with COPD means many things..having to avoid all kinds of strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning supplies, paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders, incense, temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds, and dusty places because they make me short of breath.
Physically:
Living with COPD can mean having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines, not walking very far, being unable to rush or "being rushed" tiring easily-especially if things last too long, being unable to tolerate tight clothing and the inability to talk for any length of time.
Socially
Living with COPD can mean coughing in public which attracts attention and embarrasses me, having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers), being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs, having my friends make short, pleasant, smoke-less visits
Emotionally:
Living with COPD can mean crying easily, angering easily, become frustrated and impatient because I can't do the things I used to do. Feeling resentful when others tell me, "you don't look sick". Sick lungs don't show!. Being panicky and tense, being ependent and demanding because it's frightening when you can't breathe.
COPD affects my family too! They are affected by: adapting to my various physical, emotional, social and environmental needs and limitations, leaving many functions earlier than they wish because of me or never even getting there, having to check out all of the details in advance and getting places early and having to remain calm and reassuring at all times.
REMEMBER: I may not look sick.... but..SICK LUNGS DON'T SHOW!!!!
The above was written by Edna Fiore. She is a member of Efforts COPD group.
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.158
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carrie1947
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Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #1 on Jul 26, 2007, 3:52pm »
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Hi MaryAZ, I read that also and really enjoyed the read. Was even looking through another site that had tee shirts and stuff on it. I can't remember the URL though. Maybe someone else knows what one I am talking about. They had some really neat logo on some of the stuff. If anyone knows of this site, please let me know.
Thanks!
Link to Post - Back to Top 68.200.15.158
maryaz
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Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #2 on Jul 27, 2007, 12:07am »
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Skychild, I don't know where you saw T-shirts but think Efforts mentions them on their list. Try it. John had this posted here.
Many COPDers belong to Efforts. Loads of Info there. www.emphysema.net/bindex.html
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.142
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kathytx
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Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #3 on Jul 29, 2007, 11:45am »
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Mary was this originally written by Edna? I saw this on Efforts and I had read it many times before but wasn't aware that she had witten it. That's Interesting, thanks.
KathyTX
Link to Post - Back to Top 69.153.237.61
maryaz
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Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #4 on Jul 30, 2007, 12:08am »
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Hi Kathy; It is my understanding that Edna wrote it. In the beginning I didn't know who wrote it and someone told me and relying on memory because I couldn't find my note, I am pretty sure it is her. It is a good one.
Sorry about your hospital stay.
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.157
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toby
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Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #5 on Aug 24, 2007, 1:14pm »
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This reminds me of a few years back in the winter. I was trying to recover from pneumonia and had to go out and get my meds. Like most of us with COPD I was having a terrible time with the wind and cold and I took advantage of my handicapped sign the doctor had ordered for just that purpose. Let me add I very seldom use that sign but there has been times where I really needed it.
A man walked right over to me and said boy it must be nice to be able to park close to the store and be able to move! I looked him straight in the eye and told him, excuse me sir I have emphysema, I am trying to get over pneumonia and there are problems with my heart. I flat out told him not every handicap is visible to people. He quickly apologized.
Link to Post - Back to Top 72.75.238.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
« Thread Started on Jul 25, 2007, 12:40am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To COPD patients - You should read this and post it where everyone can read it...or better still give them a copy and watch their reactions.........
Sick lungs don't show!
I may not look sick, BUT....I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD)
What is COPD? It includes such illnesses as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma. It is primarily characterized by extreme shortness of breath.
Living with COPD means many things..having to avoid all kinds of strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning supplies, paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders, incense, temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds, and dusty places because they make me short of breath.
Physically:
Living with COPD can mean having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines, not walking very far, being unable to rush or "being rushed" tiring easily-especially if things last too long, being unable to tolerate tight clothing and the inability to talk for any length of time.
Socially
Living with COPD can mean coughing in public which attracts attention and embarrasses me, having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers), being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs, having my friends make short, pleasant, smoke-less visits
Emotionally:
Living with COPD can mean crying easily, angering easily, become frustrated and impatient because I can't do the things I used to do. Feeling resentful when others tell me, "you don't look sick". Sick lungs don't show!. Being panicky and tense, being ependent and demanding because it's frightening when you can't breathe.
COPD affects my family too! They are affected by: adapting to my various physical, emotional, social and environmental needs and limitations, leaving many functions earlier than they wish because of me or never even getting there, having to check out all of the details in advance and getting places early and having to remain calm and reassuring at all times.
REMEMBER: I may not look sick.... but..SICK LUNGS DON'T SHOW!!!!
The above was written by Edna Fiore. She is a member of Efforts COPD group.
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.158
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
carrie1947
Guest
Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #1 on Jul 26, 2007, 3:52pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi MaryAZ, I read that also and really enjoyed the read. Was even looking through another site that had tee shirts and stuff on it. I can't remember the URL though. Maybe someone else knows what one I am talking about. They had some really neat logo on some of the stuff. If anyone knows of this site, please let me know.
Thanks!
Link to Post - Back to Top 68.200.15.158
maryaz
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member is offline
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Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,058
Location: Phoenix AZ
Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #2 on Jul 27, 2007, 12:07am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skychild, I don't know where you saw T-shirts but think Efforts mentions them on their list. Try it. John had this posted here.
Many COPDers belong to Efforts. Loads of Info there. www.emphysema.net/bindex.html
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.142
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kathytx
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Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 23
Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #3 on Jul 29, 2007, 11:45am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary was this originally written by Edna? I saw this on Efforts and I had read it many times before but wasn't aware that she had witten it. That's Interesting, thanks.
KathyTX
Link to Post - Back to Top 69.153.237.61
maryaz
Senior Member
member is offline
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Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,058
Location: Phoenix AZ
Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #4 on Jul 30, 2007, 12:08am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Kathy; It is my understanding that Edna wrote it. In the beginning I didn't know who wrote it and someone told me and relying on memory because I couldn't find my note, I am pretty sure it is her. It is a good one.
Sorry about your hospital stay.
Link to Post - Back to Top 207.69.139.157
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
toby
Senior Member
member is online
Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 971
Location: Orchard Park, NY
Re: Sick Lungs Don't Show
« Reply #5 on Aug 24, 2007, 1:14pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This reminds me of a few years back in the winter. I was trying to recover from pneumonia and had to go out and get my meds. Like most of us with COPD I was having a terrible time with the wind and cold and I took advantage of my handicapped sign the doctor had ordered for just that purpose. Let me add I very seldom use that sign but there has been times where I really needed it.
A man walked right over to me and said boy it must be nice to be able to park close to the store and be able to move! I looked him straight in the eye and told him, excuse me sir I have emphysema, I am trying to get over pneumonia and there are problems with my heart. I flat out told him not every handicap is visible to people. He quickly apologized.
Link to Post - Back to Top 72.75.238.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
