With COPD, some days we just need to ‘keep on keepin’ on’
That moment will come when you realize you’ve made it through
Written by |
Some mornings in these mountains start with a heaviness I can feel before I even swing my feet out of bed. Not the heaviness of sorrow, though life hands us plenty of that, but the heaviness of breath. The kind that tells me my lungs are already negotiating with the day before I’ve even asked anything of them. Folks without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) don’t understand that kind of morning. But those of us who live with it know it well.
Still, the world doesn’t stop just because the lungs are stubborn. The dishes don’t wash themselves. The laundry doesn’t walk to the machine. The bills don’t pay themselves, and the dust doesn’t politely wait for a better day. Life keeps rolling, and we do our best to roll with it, even when our breath feels like it’s caught on a briar.
Made it through
My daddy used to say, “You just keep on going.” Back then, I thought he meant hard work, the kind that leaves your shirt damp and your back aching. Now I understand he meant something quieter, something steadier. He meant the kind of persistence that shows up even when the body doesn’t feel like cooperating. COPD teaches that kind of persistence, whether we want the lesson or not.
My daddy’s meaning in his statement has led to my mantra: “Keep on keepin’ on.” I also embrace the idea that we should do as much as we can for as long as we can.
On the hard days, the work piles up faster than I can chip away at it. A sink full of dishes becomes a mountain. A basket of laundry becomes a burden. Even the simple act of bending over to pick up a dropped spoon can feel like a challenge. And asking for help, well, that’s its own mountain. Pride gets tangled up with fear, and trust is hard to come by. Good help is scarce, and asking for it feels like admitting defeat.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned: Doing a little is still doing. COPD changes the size of the steps, not their worth.
Some days, “keepin’ on” looks like doing one small chore and resting afterward. Some days it means sitting on a stool to fold laundry instead of standing. Some days it means leaving the canned goods in their grocery bags until the breath comes easier. And on the hardest days, it means letting the work wait because my lungs are calling the shots.
There’s no shame in any of that. There’s wisdom in it.
And then, almost always, there comes a moment, sometimes late in the afternoon, sometimes the next morning, when I realize I’ve made it through. I’ve done what needed doing, or at least what could be done. I’ve paced myself, breathed through the tight spots, and refused to let the day swallow me whole.
That moment brings a sigh. Not the weary kind. Not the defeated kind. But the soft, private sigh of relief that feels like a small victory.
It’s the sound of accomplishment measured in breath instead of speed. It’s the sound of someone who didn’t quit. It’s the sound of someone who kept on keepin’ on.
Living with COPD means learning to celebrate those moments — the quiet triumphs, the small completions, the gentle victories. They matter. They count. They’re proof that even on the hard days, we’re still moving forward.
So if today is one of those heavy-breath days, take heart. Do what you can. Rest when you need to. Ask for help if it’s available. And remember that the other side of the hard day is still waiting for you — with its little sigh of happiness, its sense of accomplishment, and its reminder that you’re stronger than you feel.
You’re still here. You’re still breathing. You’re still keepin’ on.
And that’s enough.
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 consult your physician or other qualified healthcare 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 about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.