PodgeThePuffer's World

30th Sep 2016

So, I saw my new COPD nursey yesterday. She’s a real sweetie but I’m not sure how poorly she thinks I am. Apparently, I’m stage 3 COPD, there’s only four so I’m nearly at the top already: Actually, that’s not funny but humour helps me deal with it. She went on to review my spirometry results and was confused that I had improved. It must have been a good air day methinks.  🙂 Nevertheless, at under 50% this is still less than one lungs worth (I know it’s not strictly true but in Podge’s world this works for me )

Nursey upgraded my medication, I’d been on the same stuff since being upgraded from Asthma to COPD and asked if I would like to consider Pulmonary Rehab. I asked if this was where they taught you how to breath cos if it is, I assured her I had been breathing now for 62 and 2/3rd years. But I did understand what was meant so I agreed.

She then asked if I ever got down. Well to be honest, yes I do, and yes I do have the same thoughts described in the linked article above, thus:

• Am I getting an infection in my lungs?
• Is this the start of something really bad?
• Am I developing pneumonia?
• Will this lead to a stay in the hospital? (this week, it nearly did)
• Am I going “downhill,” will I ever feel better again, or is this “it?”

I’ve had all of these thoughts and in fact just a few months ago I had entered what I term, the Valley of Despair, though I never shared this fact. But then, I read an article about a guy in Australia  (#copdathlete) with COPD but who’s lungs were operating at less than 30% (mine are 47%) but had recently completed the New York Marathon. Boy, did he inspire me and boy, did he lift me from the Valley of Despair. Spurred on by his achievements, I duly entered the Great South Run 5K  (22nd October) and the Great South Run (23rd October). and started walking lots. Why did I enter both. Well my rational is if I can complete the 5K but not up to the 10 mile then at least I’ve achieved something. If I compete both, well, that would be an achievement and half for me.

Anyway, back to the recap and me getting down, Nursey asked if I wanted anything for it, I guessed she meant anti-depressants and not Laphroaig Whisky so I politely declined the offer on the basis that such drugs was not a road I was happy to go down. And no, I didn’t want a Counsellor either. She recognised my stubborn independence and assured me that if I needed help or just to talk, to phone her. For that I was grateful. She even offered my an option on a district nurse checkin in on me at home if I required. Again, I declined but with thanks: I spend 2.5 hours each way computing to and from work so not sure when I would get a chance to see a nurse anyway.

Anyway, just three days after seeing Nursey, I went downhill, badly, and I took myself to the surgery where upon they sent waiting patients home so that they could look after me: Three of the thoughts above were once more in my head. Nursey tried to persuade me to go to hospital but I didn’t want to but she told me in no uncertain terms that if I declined again I must call an ambulance. Nursey has ever since been phoning me at home just to make sure I was ok (Podge likes Nursey).

5-days after I am still not too good (going to the bathroom leaves me out of breath) but hope to return to normality come Monday and once again I can start my walking regime for the great runs (or maybe walks).

I’m hoping that the new drugs will work, the steroids & antibiotics are beating the crap out  of this current infection and my weight is dropping: In the last there months, I’ve lost 7kgs so I’m well happy with that. And, now that I’ve consumed all my sherries I will once more cut out milk. In the mean time, the walking will continue and have upped my daily target to from 10,000 15,000 steps (at this rate, I’ll be walking to work).

Stay in touch and I’ll keep you posted on my progress and although today I don’t quite feel up to it, wish me well for the runs in October.

Poor Podge