Life Tethered to a Concentrator — Caroline Gainer

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Caroline Gainer is from West Virginia, the state with the highest rate of COPD in the United States. She was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe COPD in 2013 after a pneumothorax (lung collapse). After two more lung collapses she was diagnosed as severe. She has been very active with the American Lung Association and the COPD Foundation as an advocate for people with lung disease. She hopes that her column, “Life Tethered to a Concentrator,” will inspire others to live their best life with COPD.

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Redrawing the geography of my life one breath at a time

There are days when I realize my world has grown smaller without my permission. After illness, the boundaries of daily life contract almost imperceptibly. A trip that once felt routine — like driving to Tamarack, West Virginia, a place I’ve known for years — suddenly feels foreign, as…

Caroline Gainer

Sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone

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…

Did my premature birth influence my development of COPD?

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…

My smile hid symptoms of depression associated with COPD

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…

Lessons from my pet robin on living with COPD

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…

Shifting from dreams of grandeur to appreciating the mundane

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…

My improved sleep quality is an encouraging sign

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,…

Coping with depression and chronic pain on top of COPD

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…

Trying something new can be scary, but exciting

Trying something new doesn’t always yield good results, which is why those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to vet any new device we may wish to try. I did my due diligence before trying out an exercise tool that has fascinated me for several years:…

When the going gets tough, I challenge myself

March is a difficult month for me. I can relate to Bill Withers’ song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The bleak winter months in southern West Virginia get me a little (or a lot) down. Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle daily to “Keep on the Sunny…

How COPD patients can respond when seasons change

A friend asked me if there is still time to get this season’s flu shot. That got me thinking about the issues that come with the shift from winter to spring and summer for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). First, about that question on the…

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…


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