I found gratitude in the last place you’d expect

My first workout session at the RHH in Hobart turned out to be more than just a workout. The specialist said that even though I had been to a different clinic a couple of years ago, you could always pick up more tips from different physiotherapists.

 

Now here’s the thing. When you have a problem like mine, it tends to interfere with most things you do and so it’s easy to slip into the “I feel sorry for myself” mode at times. While you know in your head there are people out there so much worse off than you, sometimes it doesn’t help. Then you walk into a rehabilitation session.   

 

The physiotherapists were lovely. They are helpful and friendly. But what struck me most was the determination of some of the other patients. There are people from all ages and walks of life. You see, a COPD related illness doesn’t discriminate. I was probably the youngest person in the group and by the time I left there, I realized I was one of the luckiest ones also.  

 

Two elderly gentlemen struggled as they tried to walk on the treadmills. One of the ladies had an oxygen tank and one lady could hardly move without a coughing spasm sending her back to her chair. These people were smiling and friendly and although their health really was quite a lot worse than mine, they weren’t giving up without a fight.

 

Not being able to breathe properly is a terrible and frightening feeling. Of course it makes you just want to sit and do nothing because it’s too hard. But if you do nothing you get worse quickly so it’s a catch 22 situation. Our generation have thousands in this country with COPD related illnesses and because most are due at least in part to cigarette smoking, there is very little sympathy or understanding. It is the third biggest killer in this country. Most people over sixty did the damage to their lungs long before we found out about the dangers of smoking.

 

I have found that the specialist was right. I learned a couple of things today. Firstly, there are exercises being developed constantly that help you breathe easier. Secondly, there is always someone else out there having a much harder time trying to do those exercises. So anyone out there with COPD and a doctor who has recommended you do some exercise or go to one of these clinics, don’t think it’s too late or too hard. It’s better than sitting around waiting to die and exercise slows down the disease. So do it, ask your doctor, push yourself and don’t give up. There may not be a cure yet, but as the saying goes, “where there’s life, there’s hope.”