Today’s post is lackluster, but I just need to get it out and haven’t the energy to go beyond the facts of the matter.
Bob had been complaining about how tired he was all the time. It has been going on for about a year now. He finally mentioned it to the doctor and told her about is sleep apnea.
The Dr. sent him in for a chest ex ray which was unrevealing. She sent him to a pulmonologist and after testing found that his is suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. He was told his lungs are only working at 50%. He is now taking three new drugs one of which costs $300.00. He’d been given a coupon from the specialist but forgot to turn it in, so I went back to the pharmacy and they looked into it for us. Glad I took the time to do this too, because he got the drug free of charge!
Apparently, there is no cure for COPD and it gets progressively worse over time. So far the medicines are making him cough more, but not really helping him feel better.
Tonight his is having a sleep study done for the sleep apnea.
I have no words for how I am feeling at the moment. Overwhelmed and sad don’t really seem to cover it.
Here are the facts on COPD
For more information on COPD click HERE
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Now I’ll go back to my jigsaw puzzles till dawn.
Care to join me? This site has an especially nice interface and you can find them HERE
Life on the Farmlet 
(((((( hugs)))))))))) there really is nothing to say to ease your pain over this news. Hoping that Bob gets his meds adjusted so that he is more comfortable.
Connie, thank you! He says he really doesn’t feel better but there is improvement as his skin is pink now instead of pale and ashy. I hadn’t even realized the difference, except to think he looked unrested, but the difference is remarkable!
Thoughts are with you.
Thank you, Union Homestead.
I cannot tell you adequately how sorry I am to hear your news. There’s a saying that God sends the hardest trials to his strongest soldiers. I think you are feeling that now. James 1:12.
Kate, thank you for your caring. As for those hardest trials, I say, “UNCLE!”
(Do you have that saying there?)
No, what does it mean?
Crying Uncle is an expression to use when whatever it is that’s getting to you is more than you can take. We used it often as children when an older sibling would start horsing around, or tickling us unmercifully. It extends in adulthood to things which are out of control and overwhelming us. We shout “Uncle” to make it known we want it to stop. It will or it won’t, but we feel a bit better for having said it. Silly custom; yes?
Not really… There are all sorts of coping rituals people use. Most of them are just that, a ‘thing we do’ rather than truly effective, but crying Uncle makes it known, and even if it has no result, it’s a formal acknowledgement that this is something with which you cannot contend. And then, of course, you’ll just carry on and deal with it, because that’s what human beings do.
Oh, I’m so sorry! I am an RN in Cardiac Rehab, and I recently started working with a Respiratory Therapist and we started a Pulmonary Rehab Program in our small hospital. I have learned so much about the disease! The classes are a good combination of exercise and teaching. For the teaching, we talk about medications, community resources, and even have an Occupational Therapist come in. Through lifestyle changes, medications, and yes, even exercise the symptoms can decrease and the disease process slowed. Plus, the patients really do have a great time. We even had one guy who was practically home-bound, thinking his life was over. He is now taking a daily walk and has a part-time job. My thoughts are with you and your husband as you begin this journey.
Chris, thank you for sharing this information and for your caring words. Bob doesn’t say he feels better, but he certainly looks better! Not so pale and pasty looking… he actually looks pink!
Aw, Lynda, this is terrible news 😦 My dad had COPD (emphysema). He was a welder, and in his younger years, his worked making big fuel tanks, which meant welding inside these, and without a protective mask. It didn’t help that he was also a heavy smoker. He lived with the disease for over twenty years, as it progresses very slowly, as you know. From what I gather, remaining physically active and using one’s muscles as much as possible is really important. My thoughts are with you….
I am sorry to read this. I will be hoping that the medicine starts to help soon. Peace to you.
Thank you, Marla. He is looking better, his skin is coloring up again, though he doesn’t say he feels better yet. All healing takes time, and of course there will be adjustment to his condition’s restrictions. At least we know what’s going on now! 🙂
I was diagnosed with COPD after being tested for a persistent cough and being tired all the time. I couldn’t walk more than 20 feet without being out of breath. I was also given the bad news and put on breathing medications. But I found another doctor for a second opinion without telling the first doctor. Thank God I did because it turned out to be simply a reaction to a medication I was taking instead. I know this may not be true for Bob but think about getting another opinion and check into the possibility of medication side effects. When I stopped taking the medication Lisynopril (sp?) I felt so much better. Its a cholesterol medication. I was on three breathing medications before and don’t use any at all now. Now days I always, always, always check the information sheets for the medications I take to see what any side effects are. I’m not sure of the spelling but it is said lie-sin-oh-pril which is a generic med.
Praying for you both.
Anita, thank you for your prayer on our behalf. It is so welcome. I remember when you had gotten so sick with your medication! Very scary. I am glad you found a Dr. who recognized what was going on! ❤
So sorry to hear about Bob’s condition – COPD certainly has touched my life, as both my parents had COPD. They have come a long way in treating this condition, so the future is promising.
Thank you for your encouragement, Curt. After posting this I must say I certainly don’t feel alone in what we are dealing with. I think almost every person here has had a relative who has COPD or is suffering with the disease themselves. Bob is getting his color back, so that is a good sign that he is getting help via his meds!
The ex-wife of one of my cousins, who still is a beloved part of the family, has been coping with this for nearly twenty years. She used to scare us to death with her coughing fits, the worst of which usually showed up at really inconvenient times, like driving 65 mph on an urban freeway.
The good news is that twenty years. She’s better now than she has been, and has gone back to teaching school. Her energy level is fine, and she travels regularly out of state. She has to be careful about things like staying inside as much as possible during their worst smog days, but those are occasional, and she’s mostly living a normal life.
I’m trying to remember how it was in the beginning. I think it did take a while for the drugs to begin the process of improvement, but they did help. I don’t want to play Pollyanna here, but I have hopes Bob will be helped, too. It’s a good thing he got to the doctor. I’m sure the finances will be a concern, plus the general stress of the situation, but it’s a disease that can be controlled. I’m so glad you let us know about it — give Bob my good wishes!
Go ahead, be a Pollyanna, it is better to be optimistic than to feel as I did all day Friday. The medical sites are blunt in their information, but the words you and others have sent are full of optimism for Bob’s return to a more normal energy level.
Linda, the scary thing is that I really hadn’t comprehended how sick he was until he started the meds. I had taken his grey and pasty complexion as “normal” for him. He now has pink back in his face! Very scary.
Hang in there. There’s no cure but one can treat the symptoms and exercise to slow down the progression of it. Hugs to you both. ❤
Diana xo
Diana, I mentioned that exercise is a treatment… he didn’t look enthused, but did remark that even though the walk on the Mountain Farmlet had made him tired, that he did feel better for having taken it. (Emotional, physical? Whatever it was I’ll take it because it made him feel better.) Thank you for the hugs and the information! 😉
As a sufferer from mild COPD, I send Bob my deepest sympathy. It can make me very grumpy so Mrs Tootlepedal sends you her sympathy too.
We’ve known each other for some time now, Tom, and I never guessed you had COPD. Not with all that biking and walking you do! That is probably why your case is still in the mild stage? It also explains those days when you mentioned you couldn’t get out to do anything. Everything I have read and been told here by other friends says that exercise is the key.
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing Mrs Tootlepedal’s sympathy. He has been a bit testy this past year. At least now I know why. 😉
I try to get as much exercise as I can and I always take my puffers.
Goodness! Was any information offered about how Bob may have acquired this? Now I’m a little more than worried about all of the renovation work you and Bob have been doing on the mountain farmlet. I wonder could that have contributed to it?
I’ll be sending prayer and positive thoughts your way. I hope you are able to find a homeopathic way of treating this. I hate for anyone to have to take medication. So many times there are more and worse side effects from the medications.
Lori, it could have been many things. He had chronic bronchitis when he was young, was a smoker and quit about 25 years ago. Living in California with all the smog, pneumonia, Pleurisy, and then there’s all the pollen here. Any or all of them could have contributed to his condition. I will say that all the work he did on the Mountain Farmlet was done in a Tyvek suit and with a very heavy duty dust mask to keep out the dust and mold spores. Recently, we also installed a dehumidifier under our current house to dry it up under there. All that moisture was causing the floor to buckle and I am sure that didn’t help his cause either. 😦
I know what you mean about the prescription medications!!! I listen to all the disclaimers on TV for the advertised BigPharma meds they are pushing, and I think that the disease is far less dangerous than the side effects! Scary stuff they’re pedaling these days. However, in the case of homeopathic remedies I think he would have had to start them much earlier. At this point his breathing is down to 50 percent and he needs all the help he can get. I have read that it can stabilize and get him feeling better if he eats right and gets some exercise too. It sucks big time but he (we) will get a handle on it!
I am so sorry to read this.. poor you and your poor husband – though knowing you i am sure you are not taking this lying down and you are sure to be researching and dreaming up positive action .. knowledge is power too, I hope things begin to look up as you get a handle on all this.. c
Celi, they already are! It is sad to say that he was pasty and grey and I took it for just lack of sleep… This morning even in the half light I could see his skin has got the pink back in it. We will manage this!
My cousin had COPD. Thankfully you were able to use the coupon for the meds. I hope they work well for Bob. No wonder the poor guy was running on low. Tis the season for jigsaw puzzles–but try to get some rest.
Yes, Patti, we are so broke we’re squeekin’. This too shall pass and we are so grateful for that coupon! He is getting his color back so they must be working! 🙂 I was up til 4:00AM on Friday puzzling away. I knew that I could go to bed and sleep when I thought about making coffee for the third time in an hour. 😉 I’m back on schedule now.
I just got home after a two week hospital stay. I’m lucky to be here. Anywhere. I have COPD and it’s tough, but don’t be afraid to try different things. I take two nebulizer medications. Lots of sipped fluids and robitussin as needed. Hang in there, it’s a setback, but it can be managed.
I had no idea! Was it your COPD that put you there? Are you feeling much improved now?
Everyone says it is manageable and that is very encouraging news! He doesn’t say he feels better yet, but his color is coming back! 🙂
PS: I don’t think you ever told me your name. Will you share it with me?
Amy, as long as you don’t post it on mine. I still prefer anonymity over there. It was exhaustion, weight loss I couldn’t afford and a huge host of issues working against me at the same time.
Amy, I’m so sorry you are going through this. I hope you are improving each day. ❤
And I forgot to mention it, but I am sending you a hug and a prayer for healing. Your ordeal sounded pretty drastic. ❤
So, so sorry to read the news, Lynda. I have mild symptoms of COPD at this stage. Very exhausting. I do hope the medication helps. Hugs to you both. x
Jane, I would never have guessed because you are always on the go. I know that Bob will get to feeling better, but he is going to have to work up to getting his exercise and some stamina again. Thank you for the hugs, we needed them this week.
Best wishes from Austin for the two of you.
Thank you, Steve.
It is not easy to get hard news, especially in the dead of winter with the holidays upon us. Sending many warm thoughts your way.
Siobhan, thank you for your kindness.