Lungnet

Barry is a 64 year old male in reasonable health, apart from suffering from COPD. In his earlier years he was both a smoker and worked in the mines, before the dangers of both were revealed.

When he was diagnosed with COPD in July 1998, he was working as a bus driver. As a requirement of my job, he was required to undergo a medical examination every two years; this was when the doctor detected he had emphysema. The doctor refused to give him medical clearance to continue transporting the general public and advised him to retire.

Having COPD has greatly affected Barry's way of life. He was an active person before developing emphysema but now finds even simple tasks have become difficult. Chores around the house are hard; he has replaced his lawn with pine bark because he is unable to cut the grass.

Barry attended a 10 week course in lung improvement physiotherapy (pulmonary rehabilitation) which he found very helpful.

Mary, 60, led an active lifestyle before she developed COPD. She worked for years as an office manager, and had done volunteer work visiting sick people in their homes. She believes she began to develop emphysema around 10-15 years ago, the result of being a 30-year smoker. She quit in 1993 and continued to work, and felt generally healthy, though she experienced frequent breathlessness. Then, in 2001, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and began undertaking chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Mary is now cancer-free, but continues to feel the effects of COPD. She had been regularly attending pulmonary rehabilitation until June 2007, when she became sick with pneumonia. She receives physiotherapy twice a week and is on 24-hour oxygen therapy, but tries to exercise at home. She is still feeling unwell following her recent bout with pneumonia, but would eventually like to resume her volunteer work.

Jack has emphysema.  He became increasingly susceptible to panic attacks that would affect his breathing.  His attacks meant that he had to call the ambulance several times over a short period of time and subsequently spent hours in the emergency department of his local hospital.  It was then that he became involved in a respiratory support group.  Through support and information, Jack slowly managed to regain control during the breathless attacks.  His quality of life has improved immensely and he has not called the ambulance for over two years.

Yvonne has COPD.  Before starting pulmonary rehabilitation, Yvonne could barely walk half way around a football field without stopping for breath.  She found it very difficult to carry out simple daily tasks without resting.  18 months later, after sticking to her exercise programme, Yvonne now walks three kilometres every day.  She has also has the energy to run an active support group.

Jill had a frightening experience, becoming breathless when getting into a hot car one summer day.  From that day she became fearful of going out in the heat and stopped many of the activities that she loved.  After joining a support group and learning about breathing techniques from the physiotherapist, she practiced every day without fail. Today, she is once again confident and well enough to get out and enjoy life to the full.

Heather came to a support group complaining that she found it hard to get information and advice about her condition from her regular doctor.  Through support, she came to understand that coping with a chronic lung condition was very complex and that it is always advisable to seek more help if necessary.  She now attends a respiratory specialist, who in conjunction with her GP,  gives her more help and advice.  As a result, she now feels more in control of her condition.  She is also very closely monitored with regular lung function tests, pulmonary rehabilitation and regular exercise.

"I thought I was all alone with my lung disease - bronchiectasis.  By accident I found the respiratory clinic near my home.  I didn't know there were other people out there like me - people I could talk to about my condition who understand!   Without support I was becoming very isolated.  But it happened so gradually that I don't even notice I was shutting down from those around me.  With the help of my support group, I found I was able to get on with my life.  I even started volunteering as a telephone counsellor to help others." 

Content updated March 10, 2008