LIVING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS/DISABILITY

By Will

            One thing anyone should do when battling a chronic illness and/or disability, is to immerse themselves within the issue and learn as much as possible about what you may be battling.

            Figure this – the more you know, the easier it should or could be to get a handle on those days when you feel like the constant battle with your chronic illness and/or disability is taking its toll on you and your living existence.

            This knowledge will start with a whole variety of things and can cover physical, mental, psychological, or even faith issues.  

            The more you know the better opportunities you will present to yourself to survive longer and with possible more dignity than many with a chronic illness and/or disability.

ALWAYS REMEMBER – The more you know the better it will be in dealing with all that is involved with any chronic illness and/or disability.

NOVEMBER IS ‘COPD AWARENESS MONTH’

TODAY WE TALK ABOUT ‘PULMONARY REHAB – THE HOW’ –

            ‘Pulmonary Rehab’ in any sense is needed to help delay the eventual loss of the ability to do things we are used to doing and have control over – especially with our ability to breath.

            This is part one of a six-part series where we discuss the How, What, When, Where, Who, and Why of ‘Pulmonary Rehab’.

            The ‘HOW’ of pulmonary rehab would entail the starting, doing, progressing, and paying for your pulmonary rehab so that you can work to improve your battle with whatever Chronic Illness and/or disability that affects your lungs and breathing.

            REMEMBER – For those battling COPD most likely have either Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, or Asthma. But there are countless other Chronic Illnesses and/or disabilities that can and will affect the breathing over a longer period of time.

            The ‘HOW’ to get started may possibly start with your general physician and/or pulmonologist as they would have to give a written referral or prescription for pulmonary rehab in order for Medicare and/or most insurance groups to cover some and/or all of the costs involved.

            May times, Medicare and/or insurance groups will also require an updated spirometry and/or complete pulmonary function testing being done, most likely within the last year at the minimum.

            A lot of times the pulmonary rehab will be scheduled out over a period of time or guided by a set number of goals to be reached before Medicare and/or an insurance group will most likely stop covering the costs.

            Many times, individuals will find a way to continue their pulmonary rehab, even if on a reduced time frame (say like just two times per week) because they find the rehab does wonderful things to making one feel better, think better, and keep a better outlook toward the future of life with having a lung issue due to COPD or any chronic illness and/or disability.

            Once done with pulmonary rehab, the ‘HOW’ for so many will then become a very personal, individual path as most will want to continue the workouts in some sort of level at home on their own because the benefits of continued pulmonary rehab can be measured for what it can do for the body, mind, and soul.

            The benefits of continued pulmonary rehab far outweigh the cons.

            Do you understand the ‘HOW’ of getting a pulmonary rehab program going?

            Do you understand and see the ‘HOW’ a pulmonary rehab program continued long term can be so beneficial to anyone battling COPD or any chronic illness and/or disability that may mess with the functions of ones lungs?

            As with any other of the who, what, where, when, and why of pulmonary rehab – the ‘HOW’ is up to you, and knowing the number of benefits from both a short term concentrated pulmonary rehab program and a long-term pulmonary rehab program of some level, we all should take the ‘HOW’ and make it a ‘DOING and DONE.’

QUESTION FOR OUR READERS:

  • “Have you dealt with the ‘How’ of a pulmonary rehab program? If so, how did it develop into a more long-term pulmonary rehab program?

We ask the question with our posting to help stimulate the minds of our readers while also helping push them to understand and evaluate what has been said.

All feedback is appreciated.

            ALWAYS REMEMBER: Be willing – if you or anyone you know may have any symptoms of a possible health issue that lingers over and over while disrupting ones daily living and travels – then please ask questions and get those issues checked out by a dependable general physician and/or a medical specialist. ONE’S HEALTH and/or LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT!!

            DUE NOTE that we only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having and dealing with a chronic illness and/or disability. In no way do we ever want our information to be considered qualified medical information and/or treatment. ALWAYS consult your general physician and/or medical specialist with any questions about what we share and how you may think it is affecting your life.

{Copyright@2022 by CrossDove Writers – no part of this may be printed, copied, or used without written permission from CrossDove Writers}

(Will is a freelance writer who may be reached at wheezingaway@gmail.com)