Celebrating a milestone in my recovery from pneumonia

The moment I reached the top of the stairs with an oxygen saturation of 92%, I was filled with elation and relief. Although this saturation level would be considered below normal for most people, I was excited. As I stood there, not needing to catch my breath, a wave of accomplishment washed over me. My eyes welled with tears as I realized I’d made significant progress since September, when I had my latest bout with pneumonia.

Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) know that progress can often feel like two steps forward and one step back. This reality means we must be persistent and move forward with hope in our hearts that accomplishing our goals is still possible.

This recent milestone prompted me to reflect on how I got here. After my last bout with pneumonia, I did mild strength-building exercises at least three times per week, in hopes of building up to 30-minute sessions five days a week. I’m not there yet, but reaching the top of the stairs renewed my faith that I could reach this goal.

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When I was sick with pneumonia last fall, I fought hard to be able to stay home instead of a hospital because I’m always so weak upon discharge. By the time I got the news at home that I’d successfully beaten the pneumonia beast, I wasn’t as weak as I would’ve been had I been hospitalized. Still, I wasn’t as strong as usual, either.

Since I was home, I could continue doing some housework, shopping online for groceries, and performing some business tasks, which helped me feel not so far behind. Although I was glad to be home, I was ready to dial 911 and be transported to the hospital if my condition worsened.

The downside of staying at home instead of going to the hospital is that I didn’t receive post-discharge home healthcare. When I’d been hospitalized for pneumonia before, a nurse and physical therapist visited me at home to help in my recovery. When I was sick last September, I tried to remember the important strategies they’d taught me, but the road to recovery was lonelier and much harder without their help.

I also felt more likely to slip into depression without these providers visiting me multiple times a week. I had great friends and neighbors who called and visited, but that didn’t lift my spirits as much as when professional health personnel came to my home.

To those facing similar health challenges, I offer these words of encouragement: Never lose hope. The road to recovery may be long and arduous, but every small step forward is a victory. Embrace the journey, celebrate your progress, and remember that perseverance is key. With determination and a positive mindset, you can overcome any obstacle and hopefully emerge stronger than before.

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.