There is life after Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)--just ask Eric!

Eric remembers the day eleven years ago like it was yesterday. “I took a shower and I noticed that everything was taking me longer than normal. My breathing was terrible and I struggled to dry myself and get dressed.” When Eric went downstairs and Marilyn, his wife, saw that he was very poorly, she phoned their doctor. “The doctor told her to call for an ambulance immediately. After that, I don’t remember a great deal.”

Eric was rushed to Queen Alexandra hospital. “I wasn’t fully conscious. I do remember that I had an oxygen mask on me and that I was very, very hot.” It was only the next day when Eric discovered just how dire his condition had been. “My doctor told me I was a miracle. They had been about to call my family in the early hours of the morning to tell them I was fading but, thankfully, I started to improve.”

The doctor gave Eric the sobering diagnosis; He had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). “I didn’t have a clue what that meant at the time,” Eric, the father of four daughters recounts. “But I certainly do now!” Eric had been a life- long smoker. “I smoked 20 cigarettes a day which I have since discovered is classified as heavy.” The years of smoking had definitely taken their toll and by the time Eric found himself in the Emergency Room in 2007 he could barely breathe. “I liken it to trying to breathe through a straw!”

One of the best ways to manage COPD is through exercise and after some initial reluctance Eric began exercising with a vengeance. “I walk 30,000 steps a day now,” he says. “And my breathing has improved tremendously.” Eric also participates in maintenance exercises at Paulsgrove Community Centre where he works with a physiotherapist.

Eric admits that he has had some setbacks. In 2015, a spot was found on his lung and he was diagnosed with lung cancer. “They had to remove the lower part of my right lung.” Another spot was also found in the top section of his lung which was treated with radiotherapy. However, there have also been some positive developments. Eric’s physiotherapist suggested that he represent COPD sufferers in Southeast Hampshire for the British Lung Foundation. “We have 19 people in our our local group, Breathe Easy. In addition to having experts come to meetings to discuss how to live with COPD, there is also a big social component to the group. “We even have a choir now!” Eric exclaims. “There is nothing better for anyone with lung issues than singing. I also think the group helps us all to know that we are not alone.”

Despite the struggles with COPD and lung cancer, Eric, 70, realises that is lucky to be doing so well. He often goes out into the community now to talk to young children about the dangers of smoking—and will be doing more talks this November. “I try to persuade the children not to smoke. It isn’t worth it!”

If you would like to find about more about Breathe Easy, email: [email protected] or phone:02392327840.