Hi Smokey, I am 51 and have been a life-long smoker with few ill effects. But two weeks ago, I thought I had brochitis and was I ever wrong. I spent four days in the hospital and have been diagnosed with COPD. I am writing this at home hooked up to an oxygen tank for the first time in my life. I am waiting for appointments with doctors to find out what I can expect from here on out. Will this pass? Am I now disabled? When will I be able to walk down the hallway and not feel lightheaded? Go back to school? Look for work? My world is upside down and it happened literally overnight. I wonder which cigarette (and how many) caused my lungs to react so very violently. You mentioned that we all have to die of something. There is undoubtedly a whole list of nasty little ways to exit this life. But I can now say for certain that gasping for your next breath must be right there at the top.
Wind (anonymous) says...
Hi Smokey,
I am 51 and have been a life-long smoker with few ill effects. But two weeks ago, I thought I had brochitis and was I ever wrong. I spent four days in the hospital and have been diagnosed with COPD. I am writing this at home hooked up to an oxygen tank for the first time in my life. I am waiting for appointments with doctors to find out what I can expect from here on out. Will this pass? Am I now disabled? When will I be able to walk down the hallway and not feel lightheaded? Go back to school? Look for work? My world is upside down and it happened literally overnight. I wonder which cigarette (and how many) caused my lungs to react so very violently.
You mentioned that we all have to die of something. There is undoubtedly a whole list of nasty little ways to exit this life. But I can now say for certain that gasping for your next breath must be right there at the top.
On Quitting smoking a good idea at any age
February 19, 2007 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )