Living with COPD doesn’t mean you can’t age with grace
Adaptations lead to quiet victories that sustain independence, dignity
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They say aging well after 70 can be measured in small victories, such as standing from a low chair without using your hands, remembering appointments without a calendar, or lifting a laundry basket without strain. I smiled as I recently read an article about 10 such signs, because I’m almost 82, have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and can do all of them. But one in particular made me pause: remembering appointments.
I’ve never depended on memory for that. Long ago, I decided that my brainpower was better spent elsewhere, such as learning, teaching, writing, engaging in advocacy work, and exploring the creative tangents that give life meaning. Why waste energy on dates and times when a calendar can do the remembering for me? For me, resilience has always been about choosing where to spend my energy, not proving I can do it all, though I did check to see if I could.
Being on oxygen allows for freedom
I depend on supplemental oxygen 24/7. The hum of my concentrator is the soundtrack of my days, a steady whisper reminding me that breath is precious but possible. The tubing trails behind me like a faithful ribbon, winding through rooms, catching the light and everything else it comes close to. That last characteristic causes me to utter some not-so-nice words.
Some might see it as a limitation, but I see it as a tool of freedom. Oxygen allows me to keep moving, writing, and connecting. It is a lifeline that makes possible the very signs of strength others might be surprised to find in someone my age.
Yes, I can stand from a low seat, turn to back up a car, and follow a recipe without losing my place. I can walk across uneven ground, feeling the crunch of gravel underfoot and the subtle sway of balance that comes with age. But my most significant sign of aging well isn’t on that list I mentioned above. It’s an adaptation.
Adaptation involves creating trackers to monitor my routines, reshaping exercise to honor muscle memory, and rediscovering movement through my retooled exercise plan. It’s about reframing illness as a source of meaning rather than just a challenge. These are the quiet victories that don’t make headlines but sustain independence and dignity.
With COPD, attitude is so essential. A chronic illness causes one to reassess priorities and even the mindset. At first, I cursed the oxygen tubing because it was constantly getting tangled, which slowed me down. One day, however, I realized it was my lifeline. It was the reason I could move in the first place.
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.
Barry Hoehn
Love your articles Caroline
Mark Pemberton
Thankyou Caroline. I really enjoy reading your articles. I'm 63 and was diagnosed with Copd 2 years ago. Everything you write about I can relate to
Thankyou for the helpful tips and inspiration. Mark
Jill Dector
Caroline, your comments are most often right on the mark. Today’s was a perfect example. My tubing has been called every “dirty” word in the book and some that haven’t even been written down yet. But, you are also correct and without it I would not be able to complain. Thank you for reassuring me that I’m normal, well at least about my pulmonary issues.
Wanda Stevens
You are an amazing person, Caroline. I am just getting to the adaptation point and your letters certainly have helped me along the way. Thank you.
David A Sylvester
Once again!!!!! Your articles inspire us do all we can the best we can. Thanks again Caroline!!
Vicki Joan Wanner
I think it is wonderful to get recommendations for exercise; however, when you can't breathe after 10-15 steps, none of those work. Wish someone would recommend some for us "unable to breathe". A good chair exercise would work if sent to emails and we could print it out.
Parvat Natha
Your article is both inspiring and motivating🙏🙏
Phyllis Hough
I always look forward to your uplifting article! Thank you!😊
marieta Diane Golding
'Attitude is essential' how right you are. Small victories, little congratulations for accomplishments. Am constantly reminding myself that my arms & legs work when medicos (many of them in my case) ask me how i am. 'It's not cancer or diabetes' i say perhaps to convince myself how well off i am but it's our thoughts that count so much when our emotions are so close to the surface due to those protective layers wearing away with the lack of regular breathing.
Staying calm & counting when seriously SOB & 'whitewashing' any negative thoughts that take our breath away. We know really know the meaning of 'it took my breath away'. Stay sweet & blessings from South Australia.
Renee Keeler
Hey, friend, I’ve commented before about how much I find your column helpful as I have a hubby on 24/7 oxygen also. Here is a tip. We put the large oxygen concentrator in one of our front closets. We ran long tubing from that to the back yard (where he likes to relax) and another long tube to the bedroom, and another through a wall to the garage where he plays with his tools, and he has another in the living room. He simply detaches each connector depending on where he is spending time in the day and then we don’t have to move the large device around in the house, it has given him so much ability to do the things he enjoys ( work in garage, be inside, watch tv, sleep easily.) We replace the cannulas often with insurance the but the tubing was purchased on line and was fairly inexpensive. That way you won’t have to drag it with you! I feel your pain! Love your column! Thanks for listening and sharing your story so bravely. Hugs, 🥰 Renée Keeler