I feel compelled to publicly thank all of the people that work with the foundation in any capacity as well as other COPD groups and sites and particularly to those who have COPD and devote a great amount of time helping others to cope with this disease.
My thanks are prompted by the fact that for me the best hours, weeks and days I have, when I feel the best and have the fewest issues to deal with regarding my severe COPD are when I am doing "normal" things, spending time with healthy people, participating in normal activities and NOT spending my time focused on my condition, my meds, my future, my breathing and dealing with the anxiety that all of those things bring on. I guess you could say that I am escaping from COPD for periods of time, I can assure you I am not in denial about my condition.
I try to stay active on 360social and other sites and I am quick to offer advice from my experience if it can help others but I also find that dealing with the COPD issues whether mine or someone else's tends to depress me and bring me down rather than lifting me up. Maybe I'm just selfish.
What I do know is that there are many, many COPD patients that in fact commit huge amounts of time focused on helping others and virtually devoting their lives to helping others with this disease. There must be a special place in heaven for such people and I want everyone to know that even while I find such efforts beyond me I am ever so thankful and full of gratitude for all of you that do so much for the rest of us.
Please know that your efforts are noticed, are vitally important and greatly appreciated by the rest of us. We are forever in your debt!