“
It's done. All
finished. Over. And I am elated, even if it left me a little worse
for wear. Not that I will ever do it again. I will die here. What am
I on about:-) The move of course. Those reading my recent blogs will
be aware of my pending move to a flatter area, allowing for more
mobility. It was a good move for that reason. I was left with every
bone, every sinew in my body aching. Although after a day of sleeping
more than usual, and doing little, that has now passed and life is
starting to get back to normal, and the aches, they have passed.
It did seem like a big
hurdle to make the move. After all with limited lung capacity and
getting breathless all too easily much of the physical work has to be
done by others. And there were many times when I was very out of
breath as I tried my hardest to do my bit, if only with the small
bits, and days when I at the end felt totally 'done in'. I lost four
pounds in weight. Although I have no doubt that will go back on as I
relax and get into my normal way of living. But, non of this has been
bad for me, in fact quite the opposite.
I have mentioned
exercise in my past blogs and how important it is. Many people after
having found they have copd, and then going onto having problems with
walking without getting breathless to a lesser or greater degree,
have decided to solve this problem by taking the easy route. And that
is to sit in their chair, remote in hand, watching the TV, and doing
as little as possible. They have then seen their condition rapidly
worsen, till within a short year or so. They have simply died. Sorry
guys, yes we do die of COPD. I will most probably do so. Although in
my case I don't intend to sit in my chair and wait for it. I am going
to make sure, even if I am out of breath at times, to get out and
about, and get a little exercise.
So while you are
struggling at times, asking your partner or friend to wait a little
while, 'Just got to stop a minute to get my breath', maybe countless
times so you feel you are a pain in the rear, something good is
happening. What is happening is two fold. Firstly you are making your
lungs work hard. They might not be coping too well but they are
working so hard any muck in your lungs is going to want to move and
come up. Yes, you will cough. And you may bring up phlegm, but hey
that is good.
Secondly and most
important you are building or maintaining your muscle density. And
that is what is going to help you to live much longer than if you
were the guy sitting in the chair. Muscle uses very little oxygen.
Flab uses lots of it. And with muscle density you will do everything
easier than you otherwise would. If you have got out of practice
start to do exercise now, short walks is fine, and you will find in
time you will get a little less breathless, as your body requires
less oxygen to function. Keep the effort up, and you will live many
more years. Sit in the chair with no exercise, and meet your maker
quicker.
Yes I can be very
blunt. But I make no apologies. I want to live for a good few years
more, even though I have severe COPD. The only reason I am around
now, I have been diagnosed since 1987, is I have led a very active
life despite my slowly worsening illness. Ok it has got to the severe
stage now and I am now disabled. But a diagnoses of copd is not a
death sentence. But the start of a challenge. Well that is the way I
see it.
For now though, on this
nice sunny spring day, I am going to step outside the door and admire
all the fresh growth spurting on the trees and in the ground.
Whatever you are doing, remember, smile, it is infectious, and most
of all, breathe easy.
”
