Sharing the Health!
The Pulmonary Wellness & Rehabilitation Center in Manhattan will host live webinars that bring the experience of a Better Breathers Club meeting to those who do not have the opportunity to at- tend a support group. “Better Breathers Clubs are meetings where people with COPD and other lung diseases can come to not only learn more about how to manage their disease but offer and receive support from others who are experiencing similar challenges,” says program director Dr. Greenspan. Upcoming meetings that will be available as live online webinars are:
- February 26: Breathe Deep! Your Absolute Best Breathing Techniques Ever
- March 19: Make it Work! Maximizing Your Pulmonary Medications Now
- April 23: Move It! Move It! Exercise and Pulmonary Disease
All of these events will take place at 6 p.m. at the Pulmonary Wellness & Rehabilitation Center, located at 22 West 38th Street, New York City, on the second floor. Those who want to partici- pate online should visit www.Pulmonary Wellness.com and click on ‘webinar’ to register. It is suggested you log in at 5:45 p.m. For more information, call 1-212- 921-0214 or email [email protected] wellness.com. The group is sponsored by the American Lung Association.
courages her Pulmonary Rehabilitation par- ticipants with inspirational quotes such as:
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain!
There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from
the drama and the people who create it.
You surround yourself with people who make you laugh.
Forget the bad and focus on the good.
Love the people who treat you right.
Life is too short to be anything but happy.
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Contribute a picture or tip on how you COPE with COPD!
Send to The Pulmonary Paper, PO Box 877, Ormond Beach, FL 32175. Include your name and address.
Be sure to visit www.pulmonary paper.org and see past years of The Pulmonary Paper.
New members will sign up and be given a password. If current mem- bers would email us at [email protected] pulmonarypaper.org, we will send you a password to access the Member Only section.
Kandy B. of Mobridge, SD, is a COPD Advocate from Emphysema Foundation for Our Right To Survive (EFFORTS) at www. emphysema.net.
Kandy was born with asthma and diag- nosed with COPD fifteen years ago. She advises when you are initially diagnosed, the first step is to make the choice to live with this illness. In living with something, you accept it fully as a different lifestyle and embrace it. Accept it as something you want to do to improve your lifestyle and quality of life. Choosing a healthy diet, pulmonary rehab, getting your flu and pneumonia shots, taking your medications, using your oxygen and keeping a good attitude that you are making the right choices also are keys to handling this illness.
Living with COPD is very restrictive. Accept it. It means having to avoid strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning agents, paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders and incense. I also have to avoid temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds and dusty places because they make me short of breath.
Living with COPD can mean having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines, not walking very far, being unable to rush and tiring easily especially if things last too long, being unable to tolerate tight clothing and the inability to talk for any length of time. Accept it.
Living with COPD can mean coughing in public, which attracts attention and embar- rasses me, having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers) and being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs. Accept it.
Living with COPD can mean crying easily, angering easily, becoming frustrated and impatient because I can’t do the things I used to do. There is a lot of anxiety and panic living with COPD. Accept it.
I would like to get something off my chest! I am so tired of people asking me if I smoked when they notice that I am using oxygen and basically shrugging their shoulders as if to say what did you expect? They can be very condescending! Many people contracted AIDS from unprotected sex and are not chastised for being ill. According to the FAIR (Fair Allocations in Research) Foundation, the National Institute of Health spends an astronomical $329,576 in research dollars for every AIDS death in the United States, compared to a measly $806 for every death from COPD. I quit the cigarettes, which to me is the important fact.
Christine D., Florida
For years, I fought a battle with my wife’s cats who in- sisted on chewing holes in my oxygen tubing! I also had a hard time trying to keep the tubing untangled. Finally we came up with the idea of covering the oxygen tubing with Gardner Bender 3/8-inch Split Flex Tubing. You can find it at home supply stores. The cats gave up the battle and the tubing tangles went away!
Scott Babcock, Knoxville, TN
The Cleveland Clinic wants to encourage oxygen users to exercise within their limits. Talk to your physician about the goals you want to achieve and ask for his recommen- dations. There are enormous benefits for you including:
- Improved circulation
- Fewer COPD symptoms
- Higher energy levels
- Healthier heart
- Increased endurance
- Lower blood pressure
- Better strength and muscle tone
- Improved flexibility and balance
- Stronger bones
- Reduced body fat and healthier weight
- Reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression
- Improved self image
- Improved night’s sleep
Sara A. from Tampa, FL, shares, I find doing this simple exercise gives me a lot more upper body strength! The push-ups will strengthen your arms, shoulders, and chest.
- acea wall, standing a little farther than arm’s length away, feet shoulder-width apart,
- Lean your body forward and put your palms flat against the wall at shoulder height and shoulder-width apart,
- Slowly breathe in as you bend your elbows and lower your upper body toward the wall in a slow, controlled motion. Keep your feet flat on the floor,
- Hold the position for 1 second,
- Breathe out and slowly push yourself back until your arms are straight,
- Repeat 10 to15 times,
- Rest, then repeat 10 to 15 more