Update on Me … with PSA

On Tuesday, I finally got a diagnosis. It’s good and bad, naturally. It’s good to finally know what in the hell is going on – and that I’m not a hypochondriac – but bad in that this is not going to get better. But, good in that, if I manage to quit smoking, I won’t get worse.

I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (COPD, for short.) Self-inflicted, of course. I’ve smoked for almost 22 years now, and that, plus the steroids I take for Addison’s Disease, mean nothing good is happening in my lungs.

It’s bad enough that simple everyday activities like sweeping or doing laundry or washing dishes leaves me a little breathless and needing a sit-down. I’m using two inhalers, and just getting through a 5-hour workday leaves me exhausted.

Please, please, please. If you smoke, quit. I’m in the process of trying – again. Like many long-term smokers, I’ve quit before but I could never manage to make it “take.” This is my big push, though. I do not want to spend any portion of my life hooked up to an oxygen tank.

I have plans for the future – things like kids’ graduations and weddings and future grandbabies and travelling – and none of those plans includes me wearing a nasal canula and air-hose while dragging a backpack oxygen tank around.

I’ve got lots of support, and that helps. Even the kids are doing their part, jumping down my throat every time I’m “naughty” and try sneaking a smoke. They’re so great about encouraging me – my oldest even bought me a giant bag of pretzels.

For more information on quitting, check out these sites:

American Cancer Society

QuitNet – Join me! I’m registered as PA_Lady.

WhyQuit

Also, look into Chantix, a new medication my doc mentioned. It works by blocking the nicotine receptors in your brain, which reduces the withdrawal symptoms (or eliminates them, for some people) and keeps you from getting any “benefit” if you sneak a smoke – either out of habit, or because your so-called friend has one lit right next to you and you can’t help but bum a couple drags. You might as well be smoking a Twizzler for all the effect a cigarette would have on you. Intriguing, no?

I’m looking forward to trying it, once the paperwork’s processed so the hospital will cover my medication costs. (Being uninsured sucks, peeps, especially when just one inhaler is $90 a pop!)

Meanwhile, I’m eating pretzels like there’s no tomorrow and trying to survive the cravings.

Anyways… that’s what’s up with me. What’s up with you?