Reflections--COPD I am battling a sometimes daily battle with my sidekick ‘Lenny’ (the name I have given my COPD/Asthma) and part of my therapy is to put into words how my week or day is going and then sharing it openly as part of what I call my responsibility.  That responsibility for me is to share my travels with others with the hopes that maybe, just maybe I will reach even one person who could read what I write and realize they are not alone.

While my buddy ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) may not be anywhere near as severe as many, it is bad enough that even though I am not on oxygen 24/7 yet I do find it very, very difficult to work or do anything much physical for more than about 15 minutes without having to stop and let my lungs catch up.

Today I once again share where I am at and maybe how I may or may not be dealing with it.

Last week I was crowing about not getting to just one, but to two of my oldest grandson’s football games and not having any kind of unruly visit from my sometimes obnoxious friend ‘Lenny’ (name I gave my COPD/Asthma).  I mean I was excited because I made two fairly long trips (long for me as they were both 4+ hours total driving time) in a span of four days and all I seemed to have to deal with was being extra tired and a little heavier from eating those wonderful things we call road food.

Unfortunately this past weekend I was not as lucky as I made sure I made an appearance at my middle grandsons very first tackle football game ever, even as it meant I had to walk a lengthy 3-400 yards from the parking spot to the field.

As I have mentioned before that while I am not on oxygen (numbers are not low enough, long enough), I do find myself struggling with walking much – especially outside in any type of warm/hot and windy conditions.

IMG_1790 This walk to watch the football to me was worth it by the look on his face when he saw ‘Papa’ was there watching and taking plenty of pictures.  Considering the weather was warm and there was just a slight breeze I was feeling pretty good about getting the effort done not only for my grandson, but a chance to see some other of my grandkids and to test myself with anticipating success.

Success lasted until that evening when my friend ‘Lenny’ decided to make a visit and then settled in for a steady 40 hour obnoxious stay.

My breathing got very tight, especially on Sunday, with an unusally heightened growth of phlegm which let’s say made life very uncomfortable and very much annoying.

The wife wanted to put vicks on me but I discouraged that, instead I leaned on some concentrated breathing exercises combined with a few Tai Chi movements and with that special lady I call my wife giving me several solid back/neck massages I eventually began to improve and finally by Monday afternoon was feeling somewhat back to normal – enough so that I ventured out to do some part-time work for a local newspaper.

So ‘Lenny’ is still in the process of getting all his bags packed for this visit as I am still a touch tight in taking deeper breathes, but then again nature is not exactly being kind with consistent winds of 20-35 mph today, tomorrow and even into to Thursday – so my week may consist of much extra in house time and postponements of some camera time I was so hoping to get to.

What brought on this extended visit from ‘Lenny’ – I am not sure but feel pretty good about it having to do with venturing out on an adventure in which maybe, just maybe I made myself a bit too comfortable with people encounters.

But the point is I am getting through it and by learning to deal with it I will continue to be self-encouraging to make those grandkid adventures.

And that my friends is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.

*** I continue a request for all to hold Kaycie Chapman (from down New Zealand way) in your thoughts, prayers and blessings as she continues her courageous Facebook sharing of her continuing battle with late stages of emphysema/asthma/COPD – and she continues to do it with the level of faith and hope for which we all should hope we will have when our battle and travels become much, much worse.  Prayers and Blessings Kaycie.

NOTE TO REMEMBER: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember – a person without breathing is a person without life itself.

I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2015, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com)

(Image used cleared by written permission for use by CrossDove Photography)