Communit Spotlight: Meet Kathy!
This June, we’ve decided to shine our Community Spotlight on Kathy! Kathy brings a wonderful sense of humour and upbeat energy to our exercise classes and to the Poplar community. Kathy has strong family support and a zest for life that keeps her active and outgoing, despite living with COPD. Kathy has faced some hurdles but as you’ll see, she finds ways to push forward and offers some valuable advice for others living with a chronic lung condition. Here is Kathy’s story:
I grew up in North Vancouver in a large and very musical family. I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Our home had instruments hanging from the walls; guitars, banjos, and a Mandelin, not to mention we had a piano and drums. Some of us are very musical and some not too much. LOL Those who didn't play an instrument played the kazoo! I now have a harmonica after joining Poplar’s Harmonicas for Health & Happiness program.
My dad loved to play his banjo and sing. He was always singing. On weekends my parents would gather us up and we would go camping in Birch Bay. My dad would sing and play his banjo or guitar at the campsite or on the beach. Our home was across the street from a park with an outdoor pool. When we weren't camping, we would spend our summers swimming.
Now, I have 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Whenever any of the family are in town, they come over to our place on Saturday nights. We’ll listen to CD’s, play darts, dance or just have a good laugh.
My husband and his family had a cabin in the wilderness. In the summer, we would stay at the cabin for 2 weeks every year. The kids loved it! No running water, no electricity. Swimming in the river, climbing the mountain, picking berries. Back in the Lower Mainland, Sunday was our family walking day. Some of our favorite walks were Minnekhada, Lynn Canyon or Gold Creek.
In the 90’s I started to have a few breathing issues. My doctor gave me some puffers (inhaled medications) which helped. I went for a couple of breathing tests but I was never told the results and I never asked. This went on for a few years, always increasing my puffers. He always asked if I smoked and he wrote it down in his notes that I did.
Then in 2004, when I had my breathing test, I ended up talking with the technician for a long time. At that point, I decided I had better quit. And I did!! The technician was the first person to tell me that I had COPD (Chronic Obstructive Lung Condition).
In 2008, I noticed a big difference in my breathing. I went swimming with my granddaughter and I couldn't hold my breath under water. I was shocked. Then I started getting tired while I was walking. That was a whole different thing from not being able to breathe underwater. Wow.
In 2010, we went to Hawaii. When we got off the plane, the air was so thick. It was really hard to get any air into my lungs. Thankfully, my lungs gradually adjusted to the air.
Over time, my walking became harder. I needed lots of breathing breaks and climbing hills would just about kill me. I started having problems with my hip, so my walking got really scarce. By the time I got my hip replacement, I could hardly walk anymore.
Then in 2021, we got hit with the heat dome!! I was visiting my granddaughter in Revelstoke. I woke up and walked down the hallway and I could hardly breathe. We travelled back home that day and then I was sent to the hospital. I was treated with antibiotics and prednisone (a steroid). My 2 “favorite” medicines [imagine Kathy’s humorous sarcasm here]! I had a short stay at the hospital. That summer, I lived beside my air conditioner.
Then again in 2022, more heat!! Oh No! Every time I took a few steps, my oxygen level would drop to the low 80’s (levels for normal lungs are above 92%). Once again, I ended up back in the hospital for a few days. This time I left with medicine, oxygen and I was enrolled into an exercise program.
The exercise group has been so beneficial. Slowly, I have been trying to build up muscle so my lungs and heart don't have to work so hard. It's so much more than just exercise! It's a group of people dealing with the same issues that I have. Some of the benefits of the exercise program are:
Friendship - laughter
Understanding - you're not alone
Info sharing - I have learned so much from other people's experiences
Education - workshops
I was having some anxiety problems last year when I got sick. Anxiety can really play in your head. Tina, a Respiratory Therapist, was able to give me some tools to help me deal with the anxiety. Poplar has many workshops and they had just had one about anxiety (click here to watch the Better Breathers’ Club of BC video about Anxiety and Breathing).
My advice to someone who has COPD is to exercise. Go for walks, swim, hike or join a gym. Be as active as you can! Stay away from smoke. That one was hard for me as I used to like camping and roasting marshmallows.
Laughter and singing are good for your lungs! So, the next time you take a shower - Sing loudly! It's good medicine.
If you are looking for support to quit smoking or vaping, or would like professional guidance to manage your chronic lung condition, such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, or pulmonary fibrosis, call us to book your free 15-minute Welcome session at 236-361-3480, or join the free, online Poplar Community.