I’ve had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for over five years now. It all started with a minor cough when I was taking a jog. I thought it wasn’t too serious, but my condition quickly deteriorated and soon I was diagnosed with COPD.
At first I was given a pulmonary rehabilitation program and put on prescribed medications, but that didn’t seem to help much. I was soon forced to reduce my physical activity, which of course left me feeling frustrated and helpless.
Struggles
My COPD has had a huge impact on my life. I can no longer take part in physical activities and my breathing often feels labored and uncomfortable. I also have to be very careful of my environment as it can trigger my breathing, exacerbating my condition.
I have to be constantly aware of the air quality and take precautionary measures to minimize my risk of COPD flare-ups. It’s often hard to go out and enjoy what life has to offer with the fear of triggering my condition.
Reflection
My COPD has made me realize the fragility of life. It has taught me to take better care of myself and to make the best of each day. It has also made me more mindful of my lifestyle choices as I strive to maintain a healthy diet and get enough rest.
I’m also learning to accept my limitations and make peace with the fact that my condition won’t go away anytime soon. Pushing myself too much can easily trigger a COPD flare-up and make my life hard for days, if not months.
Hope
Despite the struggles I face with COPD, I remain hopeful for the future. I’m learning to live with my condition and take better care of my health. I’m also exploring new treatments and therapies to find ways to manage my COPD.
Though it can be challenging at times, I’m determined to stay positive and make the best of each day. I hope that one day a new treatment or therapy will come my way and help me manage my COPD more effectively.