Life Tethered to a Concentrator - a Column by Caroline Gainer

Handling the chores when I feel like crap, but I’m not that sick

I feel like crap, but I’m not badly sick. I decide I might as well get busy so I can feel accomplished at the end of the day. I make this decision often, but it’s a little more challenging with my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sometimes my decision…

What I’m including in my new exercise routine with COPD

Last week, I noticed that it took very little for me to find an excuse to put off exercise. This isn’t normal for me, so I decided it was time for a change. I recalled an article I’d recently read about the benefits of changing up your workout routine.

How I eliminate the COPD ‘garden weeds’ of my mind

As a gardener, I sometimes imagine my mind as a garden full of various plants. Advocating for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients while living with the disease myself sometimes causes a few weeds to grow in my mind. I’ve written about how advocacy helps me stay motivated.

Let’s talk about COPD and incontinence

Incontinence ranks right up there with religion and politics as topics we don’t usually mention in polite company, partly because it’s embarrassing. But let’s discuss it anyway, because it affects many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I’m fortunate to have never had an incident with incontinence in…

A waiting game reminds me of being diagnosed with COPD

For two weeks, I’ve gone to at least two doctor appointments a week to learn what’s causing me stomach problems atop my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but I still don’t have a definitive answer. I’ve been having pain in the area of my hiatal hernia (in the…

If I’d have hated smoking 6 decades ago, I might not have COPD today

If, 58 years ago, I had hated cigarettes as much as I hate them now, I probably wouldn’t have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, that isn’t guaranteed, as two other risk factors likely increased my chances of developing the condition. The first is that I was born weighing…

Helpful strategies for living our best lives with COPD

To live our best lives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we know that certain actions are necessary — taking our medications as directed, eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, doing our exercises, getting our vaccinations, and maintaining a positive attitude. These are items on…

Proper technique is important when using an inhaler

I’ve been suffering from a bad case of thrush, which has brought to the front of my mind the importance of correct procedures when taking my inhaled medications — as I must because of my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thrush can be caused by not rinsing well…

The spring sunshine of May lightens my mood and helps with exercise

May brings sunshine and Mother Nature’s renewal with the blooming of flowers and the greening of leaves. This month has also brought the parting of the clouds of my oppressive thoughts, and the sunshine has lightened my dark mood. I am no longer struggling to stay positive, but wake with…

Spreading sunshine to others is how I stay positive with COPD

When living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it can be hard to keep a sunny disposition. When you have trouble breathing, it’s hard to feel positive. One of the best ways I compensate is to spread some sunshine to others. Beyond my COPD issues, the past two months…