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Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ’™ National Self-First Day: You Get to Be on the List, Too

Today is National Self-First Day, and I think this is one we could probably all use a reminder about.

We spend a lot of time taking care of things. Appointments, medications, oxygen, airway clearance, work, family, the house, the dog who is absolutely convinced their needs are an emergencyโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ˜„ The list can get pretty long.

But somewhere on that list needs to be you.

If you're living with COPD, taking care of yourself is part of managing your health. And if you're a caregiver, you already know how easy it is to put someone else's needs ahead of your ownโ€”sometimes so often that you forget to check in with yourself.

Putting yourself first doesn't mean ignoring everyone else. Sometimes it simply means intentionally investing a little time in your own well-being.

Maybe today that's resting without feeling guilty. Taking a walk. Sitting somewhere quiet with a cup of coffee. Calling a friend. Doing something you enjoy. Or maybe it's simply saying, โ€œToday, I need a little time for me.โ€

So here's our National Self-First Day challenge:

What's ONE thing you can do for yourself today?

Big or small, it counts. ๐Ÿ’™

And just in case nobody has told you latelyโ€”you deserve to be on your own list, too!

22 hours ago

Misty Green COPDF Research

Misty Green COPDF ResearchAttention-Caregivers
and Patients


Take the
Survey: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Patients with Serious Respiratory Illness
and Their Caregivers
Whether you are a person living with a respiratory illness
or caring for someone who is, your perspective makes a real difference. Living
with these conditions can be challenging, and the voices of patients and
caregivers are important. By taking part in this survey, you help others
understand what kinds of care and support matter most. The information you
share will help doctors, nurses, and health leaders improve respiratory care
around the world.

The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete, and
itโ€™s best to finish it in one sitting.

Take the survey: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=LLLEYFNX8D44D7D4

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉEASY CILANTRO LIME SAUCE๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉIn a blender, place 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 clove garlic, minced, a handful of cilantro, chopped, 1 tbsp. lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth.Makes a great sauce for chicken! โ‡๏ธ...

27 minutes ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy terrific Tuesday, friends! Wishing all of you an absolutely beautiful day! Keep on smiling! ๐Ÿ˜€

4 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Check-in: Are you up to date on all your vaccines?

Yes, I have had Zostervax when I was age 50 and then the 2 Shingrix vaccines shortly after they became available. I have also had RSV vaccine, HepA & HepB, plus regularly get tetanus shots when the doctor reminds me Iโ€™m due (every 10 years), I get …
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

9 hours ago

Lil'bit

Lil'bit

Drinking  my 2 qts or more daily of water. No spasms in calves today but a couple times in my hands. I am receiving  5 Iron infusions  within 5 wks.,I am anemic.  I hope ya'all have a good evening. I'm relaxing and looking to watch hopefully a good movie.๐Ÿ˜

11 hours ago

Lil'bit

Lil'bit

Always open to new friends. Thankful I found the COPD FOUNDATION. ๐ŸŒป

19 hours ago

Lil'bit

Lil'bit

I thank God I joined this site. Any friend requests are welcomed.I read the message about drinking lots of water,I do. I learned the hard way.I had to get imfusion & it was so hard for them to get the needle in my arm I actually cried
 I drink at least 2 qts a day
 My heart goes out to all that also deal with lung diseases  ๐ŸŒปโ˜€We can do this together โค 


21 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐ŸฅญEASY MANGO SALSA๐ŸฅญFinely chop 2 ripe mangos, 1 medium red bell pepper, and 1 small red onion. Place in a medium glass bowl. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, and the juice of 1 lime. Mix together to combine. Goes well with tortilla...

1 day ago

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)asked the question: Check-in: Are you up to date on all your vaccines?

Check-in: Are you up to date on all your vaccines? August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Staying up to date on your recommended vaccines helps protect your health, especially if you have COPD. Vaccines help teach your immune system to …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Magnificent Monday! We are ready to step on into a new day! We've got a positive outlook. We're wearing a smile. We've got what it takes to go through the day in a good way. Let's keep on going, and make every day a good one! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

1 day ago

cac

cacanswered the question What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to?

Why aren't natural vitamins covered, only drugs! I believe in vitamins and spend a fortune on them and not drugs! I wish there were plans that covered taking natural supplements (vitamins).
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainHIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainTom.Eand 1 other also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 3 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿค“ Happy Find Your Inner Nerd Day!

Okay, I think we need to clear something up right from the startโ€ฆ

Being a nerd is COOL. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Because really, being a nerd just means thereโ€™s something out there that grabs your attention and makes you say, โ€œOooohโ€ฆI need to know MORE about this.โ€

So today, I want to know: What makes your inner nerd come out?

Maybe youโ€™re the person who wants to know exactly how your inhaler works, what every number on your pulmonary function test means, or why your oxygen does what it does.

Maybe your inner nerd has helped you figure out little shortcuts for living with COPDโ€”how to organize your medications, conserve energy, plan your day, track symptoms, cook an easier meal, or make something that used to be difficult just a little simpler.

Or maybe your nerdiness has absolutely NOTHING to do with COPD. Even better! ๐Ÿ˜‚

Photography? ๐Ÿ“ธ
History?
Cooking?
Cars?
Birds?
Weather?
Sports stats?
Gardening?
Space? ๐ŸŒŒ
Technology?
Some television show you know so well that nobody should EVER challenge you at trivia? ๐Ÿ˜‚

Sometimes the things we're fascinated by teach us ways of thinking that carry over into completely different parts of our lives. We learn to problem-solve, plan ahead, pay attention to details, get creativeโ€”and sometimes just give our brains somewhere FUN to go for a while.

Patients, caregivers, family, friendsโ€”everybody gets to play today.

What do YOU nerd out about? ๐Ÿค“

And if your answer is, โ€œBrandon, you don't have enough room for my listโ€ฆโ€

Well, congratulations. You may have just won Find Your Inner Nerd Day. ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ’™

Embrace your inner nerd todayโ€”and give a little love to all the wonderful nerds around you!

1 day ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments10 comment(s)
  • cacI like your idea1 day ago
  • Shadwanda Rainey COPDF ResearchAs a nerd myself. I know I am cool haha. 22 hours ago
  • Coach Brandon - Community ManagerDang right, you are!21 hours ago
JeanO53

JeanO53I had the most interesting experience yesterday.  As I was heading home from the park, instead of  taking the freeway I drive the city streets near Lake Michigan, driving from the south to the north side of the county.   The drive takes me through several county.
About halfway home, I was at the line between bright blue skies with fluffy clounds and to the south a storm was brewing.  I think I captured the line in the picture below

1 day ago

thehlk

thehlk

Good morning, all. Finally had a pulmonology appointment. It was a video visit, but she was able to pull up my 2 ct scans, this year and last year. She said the emphysema is tiny, that she had to enlarge the scans to see it. She said I quit smoking at a good time (5 months ago). She said to schedule a PFT and if there is COPD she will give me LAMA/LABA and I will be fine. She doesnโ€™t think things will progress much. I have had uncomfortable breathing since I quit smoking and have for a couple years thought my breathing is heavier than before going up the stairs. I moved my kids into their dorm rooms over the last couple weeks - both to the 4th floor with no elevator, and was able to keep up, although huffing and puffing at the top. I donโ€™t see how she can tell me she doesnโ€™t foresee a lot of progression. Iโ€™m only 51 and havenโ€™t had the breathing test yet. She obviously couldnโ€™t even listen to my lungs as we were on the phone rather than in person. I wanted to let her words ease my fears, but I canโ€™t shake the feeling that she was trying to do just that and moving forward I will be 65 and at stage 4 on oxygen in respiratory failure. Iโ€™ve joined some groups on Facebook, and let me tell youโ€ฆ there isnโ€™t one person there that matches what the pulmonologist said. Iโ€™m scared out of my mind to do the test. Itโ€™s so hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that I quit smoking and have no real physical limitations right now, but down the road there is a large possibility that I will be unable to walk from the living room to the bathroom without gasping for air. 

1 day ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments6 comment(s)
  • Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainA few thoughts on quitting smoking: When you quit smoking, your body begins to repair itself within 20 minutes, lowering your heart rate, clearing toxic carbon monoxide, and steadily reducing your long-term risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer over time.  Immediate and Short-Term Effects over 20 minutes:  Your heart rate and blood pressure drop back toward normal levels.  12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal, allowing oxygen levels to rise.  24 hours: Your risk of a heart attack starts to decrease, and nicotine leaves your bloodstream.48 hours: Your nerve endings start to regrow, and your senses of taste and smell begin to improve.  2 weeks to 3 months: Your blood circulation improves and lung function increases by up to 10%.  Withdrawal Symptoms (First Few Weeks)Cravings for nicotine, Feeling grumpy, anxious, or restless. Trouble sleeping or concentrating.  Increased coughing as your lungs clear out trapped mucus Long-Term Healing 1 to 9 months: Tiny hair-like structures in the lungs called cilia regrow, reducing coughing and shortness of breath.  1 year: Your risk of heart disease drops to half that of a smoker.  5 years: Your risk of having a stroke drops to match that of a non-smoker.  10 years:  Your risk of dying from lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.  15 years: Your risk of coronary heart disease matches that of someone who never smoked.1 day ago
  • Loch Nessie I joined to answer this question because I remember the sheer terror of my diagnosis and wanted to tell you my story which I think  is completely typical of a none smoker with emphysema. I was diagnosed 9 yrs ago , I think I am probably around the moderate stage. Like you, I stopped smoking immediately and my condition stabilised . My 02 levels are 98 and, thanks to Spiriva, I am rarely breathless. I am recovering from a lower lobe infection , my first in many years , my 02 levels stayed stable through the entire infection and I have recovered quickly with a small patch of inflammation my inhalers will resolve.Youโ€™ll read a lot of guff on the internet about emphysema, very little of it is accurate . It is perfectly possible to stabilise your emphysema and for the loss of lung function to be very similar to a healthy person. The statistics you read are heavily skewed by those who continue to smoke and neglect their lungs.Thereโ€™s things you have to do though and youโ€™ve already started to do them. Youโ€™ve stopped smoking and thatโ€™s the single best thing you can do. It stops the disease in its tracks.  The next thing you have to do is avoid major flare ups ( I havenโ€™t had one since diagnosis). You need to religiously take your inhalers, you need to pounce on the slightest infection and hit it hard with antiobiotics so that it doesnโ€™t escalate and damage your lungs. You need to keep your antibiotics in the house if you can, check your 02 levels regularly and keep checking your sputum so that the minute it starts to turn yellow you start taking them.You need to be proactive, you need to stay away from anyone with a cold, stay out of crowded places and wear an ffp3 mask when you canโ€™t avoid a crowd or infection rates are high in your area. You need to take every vaccine thatโ€™s going. In short, you have to build a wall of protection around your lungs and be hyper vigilant. You canโ€™t afford to ever stop. Do these things and your life span will be norm ...17 hours ago
  • Loch Nessie Sorry I ran out of space.
    If you do all these things you will have a normal lifespan and you wonโ€™t need oxygen.
    Stay strong 17 hours ago
Lil'bit

Lil'bit

 bad leg spasms this am

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Super Sunday! Today is going to be a super day! I hope everyone has the chance to do things they enjoy! Relax and have some fun! Sending smiles all around, friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

Liza M

Liza M

Just want to say a quick HELLO.  I have been traveling for most of the summer. Iโ€™ve seen some beautiful things. Along with my traveling, I really limited my time on electronic devices. I have checked  in here a few times.  I am always delighted by how positive and uplifting the site is. It also truly empowers people by providing accurate information.

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿพโค Happy Never Bean Better Day! โค๐Ÿพ

Okay, this one made me smile.

Today is Never Bean Better Day, inspired by a very special therapy dog named Bean and created to celebrate the unconditional love, comfort, and happiness our four-legged friends bring into our lives.

And I think a lot of us understand just how powerful that can be.

Our furry little buddies don't care whether we're having our best day or one of those days when nothing seems to cooperate. They don't need an explanation. Sometimes they just seem to know.

They're there for the laughs, the quiet moments, the tough days, the naps we didn't plan on taking ๐Ÿ˜„, and those times when simply having a warm little friend beside us makes things feel a little better.

So today, take a pause and give that special buddy of yours a little extra love. An extra belly rub, a scratch behind the ears, a treat they probably already convinced you they deservedโ€ฆ or just some extra time together. ๐Ÿถโค

And if you don't have a furry friend of your own, maybe there's one belonging to a family member, friend, or neighbor who always manages to make you smile.

Let's spread a little โ€œBean wuvโ€ around 360 Social today!

Who is that special little friend who has helped make some of your days better?

Because sometimes the best medicine doesn't come in a bottle.

Sometimes it has four legs, a wagging tailโ€ฆand absolutely no understanding of personal space! ๐Ÿ˜‚โค

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends!
May your day be peaceful, calm, and simply wonderful! ๐Ÿ’œ

3 days ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Is there s new drug coming out,I heard it was

Yes my pulumnary dr explained that to me today, I am already on dupixent. We discussed that and the new on coming. I already had high esinophils at 450 when I started dupixent.
HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question

3 days ago

Mrskip

Mrskip

๐Ÿ˜‰

3 days ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Is there s new drug coming out,I heard it was

Is there a new drug, its a biologic. Should be out by the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027

3 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Happy Fluffy Feathery Friday.
This Wood Duck is a wonderful reminder that some days it's okay to take it easy and enjoy the day.  

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy National Senior Citizens Day! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ’™

George Burns once said:

โ€œBy the time youโ€™re 80 years old, youโ€™ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜‚

There may be a little more truth in that than some of us would like to admit!

Today is National Senior Citizens Day, and while our COPD360social family spans different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, today gives us a great excuse to celebrate the experience, stories, humor, and hard-earned wisdom that come with a few more trips around the sun. โ˜€

One of my favorite things about this community is how much we learn from one another. Sometimes it's about COPD. Sometimes it's a trick for getting through a tough day, managing oxygen tubing, remembering medications, or conserving a little energy. And sometimes it's simply knowing when to say, โ€œYou know what? That can wait until tomorrow.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜„

So let's have a little fun today.

What's one thing getting older has taught you that your younger self probably wouldn't have believed?

Or, if you're feeling especially brave...

What's something you've learned over the years that you now have trouble remembering? ๐Ÿ˜‚

Here's to experience, laughter, good stories, and continuing to learn from one anotherโ€”no matter what number happens to be on the birthday cake. ๐ŸŽ‚๐Ÿ’™

3 days ago

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)asked the question: What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to?

What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to? We're building a new Medicare information website and want it to answer the questions that matter most to our community. What Medicare-related questions have you had about coverage, …

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐ŸฏHONEY ROASTED APRICOTS๐Ÿฏ12 large apricots3 large sprigs rosemary 6 large sage leaves1 strip orange peel, about 1 inch wide3 tbsp. honey1/2 cup orange juice Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Cut the apricots in half; remove pits.Place the halves,...

4 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from William Bruce, my youngest kitty! ๐Ÿ–ค
This little guy wishes everyone a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜€

4 days ago

Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.