How long have you lived with COPD?

Hello, My name is Rebecca and I am 52 years old. I have been dealing with COPD for the last 12 years. Between my COPD and my discs in my back deteriorating from degenerate deteriorating disc disease, I can only walk a very short distance and can't stand for very long, hence the reason I am in a electric wheelchair. August 28th 2021, My COPD flared up and my oxygen dropped, by the time my neighbor came over and found me struggling to breath, she called 911. By the time the ambulance got to me and checked my vitals my oxygen was down to 15% I remember them putting me in the ambulance and I remember them pulling away from in front of my apartment but I don't remember hitting the back going around the complex to leave I don't remember the trip to the hospital I don't remember being taken into the hospital I don't remember anything until I was laying on the bed I opened my eyes and I was staring at the light above the bed and I heard my neighbor's voice say I've contacted your mom your son and your daughter and your mom is on her way. That was the last thing I remember next thing I remember was waking up staring at a light above me and hearing my mom's voice say oh my God you're awake and I don't remember anything after that, then again I open my eyes and was looking at a light turned my head and seen both of my sons standing there. Now I'm really confused, I had to ask myself, am I alive or am I dead.... because my oldest son passed away in 2018 from cystic fibrosis. Everything around me sounded like I was in a tunnel and I remember Garrett coming to my bedside holding my hand and tell me how much he loved me how much she was worried and then he was going down to be with the kids so that my daughter-in-law could come up and see me but she said I opened my eyes when she came in and I looked at her and then closed my eyes I don't remember anything next time I opened my eyes to the light in the ceiling turn my head and my mom said oh my God your awake are you going to stay awake this time. I shook my head yes and she asked me do you know what's going on I shook my head no I was having a hard time talking. Mom told me that I had been on life support for 2 and 1/2 Weeks, and if I didn't come too within the next two days they were putting a trach in so thank the Lord I came too before they put a trach in. She also informed me that while I was on life support I had dialysis because my kidneys failed completely. And after fully waking them taking the life support off and starting recovery I could not talk no louder than a very soft whisper but felt like I was yelling. It was like I lost all control of my body from my neck down I couldn't lift my hands my arms I couldn't lift my legs and every day I had to work with physical therapy to get all the strength back in my legs my arms I had to work on feeding myself again getting up to even stand alone walk. The doctors there really thought that I wasn't going to make it and I did so bless the Lord for that one, I wear oxygen at night to bed. Like I said I am in a wheelchair. Honestly I quit smoking cigarettes/nicotine vapes on August 28th that was the last cigarette that morning because that afternoon is when she called 911 and I almost died. I started eating edibles but it just wasn't the same I used THC for pain management in my back because I refuse to take narcotics. But the edibles had to come to a stop because with edibles you eat too much and you're way too high and you're superified and I didn't like that so I started buying the THC pen and I smoke them then I started smoking real weed once in a while because the pens are nothing like real marijuana. I will not go back to smoking nicotine. I suffer with other health issues not just the COPD and the degenerate deteriorating disc disease I also suffer with type 2 diabetes, an umbilical hernia, lymphedema and cellulitis in my legs, Roscea, and I go to a foot doctor because my nails grow into my skin. I have many mental health issues too. to name a few, I have bipolar 2 with suicidal tendencies, bipolar-depression, anxiety, paranoia borderline personality disorder, etc, etc.

I was diagnosed with Copd about 25 years ago. It never presented any big problems other than I couldnt go hiking or biking for long periods-but i was never very athletic so i was fine with that. However it has really progressed only the last 2 years or so. Im now 83 1/2. That may seem old but i was always pretty active- traveling a lot, running a small business, participating in many activities & organizations. I sometimes (often) feel sorry for myself & can relate to the ‘pity party’ syndrome. I am now on oxygen. Started first only at night, now more often. I think that’s what gets to me. Being tethered to a machine a lot of the time. Definitely limits my social life. I live alone so my social life was always pretty important to me. I use a portable sometimes but it’s cumbersome and ugly. And i feel very conspicuous with it.
And when i am rational i know im blessed that its not worse. I really have no pain. Just shortness of breath.
In answer to puddy—yes you can live AT LEAST another 20 years. And live well- traveling , enjoying your family,
In all truthfulness i have had a very full & enjoyable life despite the copd. With exercise & meds & love of family & friends, you will enjoy a good quality of life for many years. And with all the medical advances, who knows- maybe theyll find a way to slow the progression or alleviate some symptoms. Probably not in my lifetime but definitely in yours!!

Your story is amazing. I’m wondering though , do you have emphysema ?

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe emphysena in 2000 at age 42. I continue to live a pretty good life now, 25 years later. My husband and I fly about 3-4 trips/year and enjoy life. I have had to change my treatment multiple times over they years and the last treatments seem to be working pretty well for me

I use supplemental O2 for sleep and exertion. I am very glad to have great insurance and doctors. I don’t have other significant health problems other than allergies and chronic asthma and gastric reflux.