Life with COPD

Larry M Dove - @YouTube zip29621 -@twitter zip29621
Hello, I am Larry, I live in upstate South Carolina, USA. 56 years old.
I have COPD. (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease in which the lung is damaged, making it hard to breathe.) I was diagnosed with this condition in 2000 after a severe Asthma attack.
(The whole story!)
I was in Law Enforcement for 18 years and had to retire due to my disability, something I never wanted to happen, I loved my job.
I had noticed for several years my breathing labored more and more but was in denial it was attributed to smoking, which I started as a teen. Uphill walks, stair climbing and running made breathing difficult which I assumed was age related.
Before the age of 40 health issues were none existent for me, the saying healthy as a horse was me. About that time when I did have a breathing issue I would use an over the counter inhaler that seemed to help or mask the symptoms.
I was hospitalized for a severe asthma attack in 1999 and diagnosed with COPD. About 4 days in the hospital, released but very drained. Recouping my energy just didn't happen. In early 2000 another attack of asthma hospitalized me for about a week, this time doctors telling me I had to retire. I fought that idea to the point of going back to work with a portable oxygen tank in tow to work at my desk for 2 hours a day then 4 hours a couple of days, finally realizing I could not do my job. Retirement it was.
Still smoking but smoking less and the Lite Brand was my answer. My condition included heavy coughing and that contributed to a small hernia at my navel.
Hospitalized again in May with a very severe Asthma attack this time I was intubated (put on breathing assistance). This was not a quick in and out of the hospital. After 14 days of breathing assistance I struggled to breathe on my own but did, only severely labored.
Heavily medicated by mouth my stomach produced a tennis ball size bleeding ulcer. After medications failed to repair this ulcer, surgery was the next and only option. After the surgery several things added to an already low chance of survival. At some point of this hospital stay I had a tracheotomy.
(a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air)

The high amount of medication for the Asthma and COPD had weakened my immune system along with the ability for my body to heal. Sutures placed inside during the surgery were not holding and leaking. Staples on the outside did not hold and my incision had to be taped until it could mend itself. 2 months in intensive care unit, and 18 units of blood, my condition changed just enough that the doctors would talk about me going to rehabilitation.
My wife insisted to the doctor’s staff, with my low immune system the best place for me was at home.
Finally after 2 months I was going home. In an Ambulance, to a hospital bed with a tracheotomy hose still attached and on a feeding tube because I could not eat solid food.
A few days at home, the feeding tube was removed, I could eat Home cooking! A few days later my energy had improved somewhat but a problem... the trachea turned in such a way that I could not breath very well. A midnight trip to the emergency room, a quick alignment and I was back home. The next afternoon the same thing happened and back to the emergency room. This time I insisted they remove it.
After what seemed like hours of arguing the trachea was removed against all doctors’ advice.

Slow improvement over the next several months, hospital beds and other equipment slowly disappeared from our home until there were only the necessities.
The Stomach finally healed after being taped several months but not before it herniated leaving me with a large stomach resembling a tumor.
Oh yes I did quit smoking. I don't remember the exact date, but do remember telling myself I was not ready to cough anymore due to those things.

Then came December, another Asthma attack and back in the hospital. This time different again. Doctors said intubation to assist my breathing was not an option, believing I would never be able to be removed from the assistance.
Earlier test reveled I had about 25% of my total lung capacity. They tell me my lungs are down to 15%.
Blood oxygen level should be between 95 and 100 mine was dipping into the low 80s. My lungs were filling with fluid, I was drowning.
My wife said she got a call from the intensive care unit to rush in.

She came to my bedside about 5AM and told me the doctors had done all they could do and I only had a few hours to live. We decided I would go home immediately. An Ambulance was called to transport me home. I did survive more than the few hours and Doctors contacted the local Hospice that gives care as needed to terminal patients. For the following 5 to 6 weeks they provided wonderful care sending a Nurse daily, Respiratory and physical therapist on a regular basis.

Then came the news that I was being release from the Hospice program, something that had never been done at this Hospice center. I was being called a miracle. Not only was I no longer on deaths bed I have been released from Hospice who in the past only released to a morgue.
Almost 4 years have passed and there have been no more hospital visits. There have been struggles, but we (family) have handled them together. I do my regular doctors visits. I am very particular when it comes to medication change. What I have is working. We are VERY careful to avoid friend and relatives with colds or fevers being that my immunity level is still very low.

One thing I have avoided saying throughout this story is the roll that prayer played in this for me. There have been more prayers said in my behalf then most countries national debt. To me that has made the difference. I believe God touched me and helped me from my death bed, not once but twice.

There are so many little stories that come to mind since the beginning of this illness I could go on and on, but the main thing is:
Stop smoking it's killing you even if you don't believe it.
Don't give up when others do.
Ask God for the strength to get you through tough times.
Keep Family close.
Research on your own, the facts. Try things that may make you feel better, what works for one may not work for everyone.

Special Thanks To:
My Loving Wife Christine
Kendra - Katelyn - Anna
The ones that put up with me daily.
and
For each person who have said a prayer in my behalf.