Life Tethered to a Concentrator — Caroline Gainer

Growing up in rural central West Virginia, I can remember the doctor coming to the house with his black bag full of medicine and instruments. Now I have two providers that I consult with over Zoom, and I wonder if this is the new “home visit.” For those of us…

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that coordinating my healthcare is getting harder. It’s important for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to coordinate medications and other treatments so that we get optimum results. When I was diagnosed with COPD, all but one of…

Now that I have treatment for my depression and inability to sleep, I look a little differently than I used to at the occasions when I feel fatigued. I think it’s important for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to understand what type of fatigue we…

For several years now, a doe has hidden her fawns in the middle flower bed in my front lawn. I gain so much pleasure watching her deposit her children for me to babysit each day as she goes about finding food. There’s also a calming effect in watching the little…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with the sleep aid and antidepressant trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’ve struggled for two years to find my optimal times to go to sleep and wake…

When I was suffering from depression, I couldn’t do my housework the way that I wanted. Now that I’m better, I’m enjoying doing things like pulling weeds and other chores. These activities are also a good way to remain active with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I didn’t appreciate…

I was born a preemie weighing in at 4 pounds, and during my first six years of life, I was plagued with numerous ear infections. I now have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I wondered if my premature birth and the health challenges of my first six years influenced…

In observing Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I’d like to offer some insights into some symptoms we may overlook. Depression and anxiety, for example, are common for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — as I learned through personal experience. In my case, I had…

Once upon a time, before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) took my breath away, I had a pet robin named Oscar. He had a damaged wing, which might have been caused by the way he came into my life. Oscar arrived one evening in the mouth of my big…

When I was young, I envisioned myself as memorialized in history for my outstanding accomplishments, but recovery from depression has made me fall in love with the ordinary. The onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) changed my life goals, and I’ve developed a new appreciation for the…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Sleep issues haunt many of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As I mentioned in last week’s column,…

Note: This column discusses depression, including thoughts of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. This column also describes the author’s own experiences with various medications, including Lexapro (escitalopram) and trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult…