About Me (Read First)

I am a young 63 year old female.  I love kayaking, riding a bike, walking, boating, swimming, and everything outdoors.  I live in Michigan and snow skiing was big for a few years until I got a little short of breath.  I have been married to my husband Jim for 45 years.  We have 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren (2 boys and 2 girls), 2 dogs (a 14 year old cocker spaniel and 2 year old miniature Labradoodle). 

I was diagnosed in 2007 with COPD, a pack a day smoker at that time.  Of course, I did not listen to the doctor and continued to smoke a pack a day until 2011 when my lungs became exacerbated. I quit smoking in June 2011.  I had a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and was diagnosed with 26% lung usage.   I started going to pulmonary rehab where I did a 6 minute walk and my oxygen went down to 86% in the first three minutes.  After that I was hooked up to oxygen and my oxygen increased to 95% for the next three minutes of the walk.  Oxygen was prescribed 24/7 on 12/1/2011.  I've now been required to go to rehab 3 times a week. 

I decided to see a pulmonary specialist.  I was very short of breath, I couldn't do anything, I couldn't even make my own bed without getting out of breath.  I could not make it from my bedroom to the living room without taking a break to catch my breath.  I continued with rehab three days a week (I call it "practice", I don't like to tell people I am in rehab.... ha ha ha).   I feel uncomfortable with oxygen in public.  I won't use the oxygen tank at work, so I reduced my hours from two long days to two short days, without oxygen.   By the time I get out of work my oxygen level is down to 86%..... not good.  I was told by my doctor that it was better to stay active with work rather than be inactive at home, even with the chemical intake at the salon.  I love my job and clients and I can't part with this part of my life yet. 

The pulmonologist added an Advair inhaler twice a day to the already prescribed Spiriva inhaler.  He said I may not need the nebulizer as much.  I was using the nebulizer 4 times a day.  He was so right, I feel so much better than I was feeling.  I am now waiting to see if I qualify for a Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS).  I know how serious the surgery is, but I pray I can have another chance to walk around the block at the home we just moved into.  I have lived here for 1 1/2 years and have not been able to walk it yet, without being short of breath.  I pray for the chance to breathe with my husband and beautiful family.  I love life so much.  I just know a miracle is in the making.  I know you will be hearing that someday I will have had a LVRS.  Why I know that, I don't know, but I am praying I get a second chance at the life I let cigarettes take from me.  Jesus loves me and the doctors and nurses at UofM will perform another miracle.  You just wait and see!!  I feel your prayers.  Before I wouldn't do anything without my cigarettes and now I can't do anything without my oxygen tank.  That tank is a lot heavier than that pack of cigarettes.  The cigarettes took my air away and the oxygen tank is giving it back to me.  OH.... to breathe without it!!!