Posted by akc on August 21, 2001, at 6:37:40
In reply to Re: What else? » akc, posted by sar on August 21, 2001, at 0:52:38
> oh akc, i'm so sorry...please keep us updated. what is COPD?
From WebMD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two separate but closely related and usually co-existing conditions damage the lungs and prevent them from doing their job of bringing oxygen to the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide. COPD is characterized by a progressive limiting of the airflow into and out of the lungs. More than 10 million Americans suffer from COPD, many of them smokers or former smokers. And over 60,000 die each year as a result.
My mom smoked for about 29 years. She is only 67 years old, and has battled serious problems for about 7 years now. While not every smoker gets COPD (or lung cancer), my thought on this is always the same -- do you really want to risk it?If you could have spent some time with my mom the past few years, you could seen a couragous woman. She has refused to let anything stop her. She is not ashamed of having to use oxygen full-time; not the cancer treatment -- she still travels, goes out and plays bridge, etc. For all the shit that she allowed when I was growing up, I really love my mom now. I have to remind myself that my mom also overcame that same stuff we have had to (my dad abused her as well as us kids). My sister is not at home at this moment, so it appears she is on her way to Boise (where my mom lives) -- that means things are still touch and go. I will keep you posted.
A very, very sad,
akc
poster:akc
thread:9980
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010817/msgs/9992.html