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Thank you for giving us the full gruesome information on your lung condition, it's certainly an eye opener and shows the dangers of smoking and I get that when you started smoking it was advertised on TV, bill boards etc as being cool and glamorous, I remember seeing all the advertising too, there wasn't even a hint that it could be detrimental to your health back then.Hey good buddy,
Don't be such a sissy boy! You wanna hear something gruesome that will cheer you up by comparison?
I've never mentioned my own little breathing issues but maybe it's a good time, seeing as how I'm onna downward spiral of sorts. Yeah, it's probably related to my 50 years of smoking unfiltered cigs.
So I was in really bad shape back in 2013 and quit smoking cold turkey. It's easy if the alternative is dying a horrific death soon. Had to retire and move in with relatives in 2016 which is where I am now.
I had a major operation in 2019 called LVRS, which stands for lung volume reduction surgery. Luckily I qualified for the procedure...only 10% of people with my illness are accepted and the requirements are tough. Needed about 75 hours of physical therapy to build up my strength with lots of exams and doctor visits. Heh, I hate to exercise but no choice.
The top 1/3 of each lung was removed and thankfully no complications occurred. The difference was immediately felt in an amazing way. Breathing was great right away!! Couldn't believe the results. The operation gave me 2 years of unobstructed wonderfulness but after 2 years it wore off. Now I'm where I was before and am listed as day to day...heh.
I now use steroids again when needed, plus 2 inhalers and two biologic injections per month. Those shots run around $5000-6000 per month which my insurance covers thank God. Sadly they don't make me feel any better but keep me from getting even worse. Next option is a lung transplant, which I will skip for sure.
Not asking for pity, since it was my own doing. Smoking used to be glamorous....hehe.
So, I got you beat when it comes to inhale/exhale stuff.
How's that sound?
I'm guessing you are around your late 70's now and are listed as day to day, so you are on borrowed time, given your age I can kind of understand why you wouldn't want a huge operation that may give you a little more time if it was a success but there are no guarantees with these type of operations are there.
I hope you manage to dodge the grim reaper for a good while yet and hope you still enjoy life such as it is.
Still, It's good that you have your relatives around you.
Take care bud and thanks again for your story, as I said, a real eye opener!
Paul.