Being spontaneous is no longer an option with COPD

Someone asked me recently what I miss about my life before I had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Without hesitation, I answered that I missed being spontaneous. I can’t just decide, for example, that I want to go to the mailbox. I have to prepare for it, which requires unhooking myself from a stationary oxygen concentrator and connecting to a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) or a portable oxygen tank.

Long gone are the days when I would carry an extra pair of undies with me in case my husband, who was a high school football coach, and his friend, who was the school’s principal, decided that they’d had enough stress and needed some fun time — which meant an overnight road trip. The principal’s wife and I had learned to come prepared to the Friday night football games. We never knew when they’d decide to take off after the game to unknown whereabouts to let off some steam.

We often drove so far that we didn’t want to drive back the same night, so we had to find a place to stay. I was the cheering coach, so I had makeup and hair stuff with me. All that I needed was clean undies, which I kept in my purse. I’d know that we were headed out when the last cheerleader and ball player had been picked up and our friends would say, “Let’s go!”

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That kind of spontaneity can no longer happen. A stationary concentrator must be in the room, or I’ll need my SimplyGo POC to provide continuous-flow oxygen while I sleep. I’ll also need a battery charger and extra batteries for the POC, as well as a car charger. Lest I forget, I’ll need my medications, including my rescue inhaler. I’ll likely need the inhaler if I’m in a place that has allergens.

I usually wear my POC for several hours a day so that I can be a little more spontaneous than I am without it. Recently, for example, after I changed to my POC and went to the mailbox, I decided to take a little walk down my lane. When I returned to the house, I decided to go out on the deck with my dog.

As I settled into my rocking chair with my dog next to me, I felt the stress melt away. I hadn’t even realized that I was stressed. The deck, the rocking chair, and my wonderful dog were soothing. Even though I had to prepare for it, the walk and the leisure time on the deck reminded me of a time in my life when things could be spontaneous.

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.