My name is Victoria, 49 yrs old from Long Island, NY. I am in the end stage of COPD/Emphysema and looking to apply for a lung transplant. I have 2 sweet daughters, who are my soul. Jessica (Jecca, 25) and (Haille, 10) My Pulmonary doctor has informed me that my breathing function is at 17% from 80%. This is the result of my 12 year old neighborhood Laura teaching me to smoke at age 7. I say this because I've held so much shame like it was all my fault! It's not and now I tell my story every chance I get! I may save someone the torture and torment. I am on oxygen 24/7 and a bi-pap every night at bedtime becausey poor girls (lungs) can no longer filter out the CO2 out of my system. This and the grace and love of God has kept me alive. But I find myself lonely, confused and scared. Would love to meet people that relate on any level. I'm tired of being so closed off. I'm a funny, intelligent, caring soul that just wants to live longer.
Need a breath of fresh air... - Lung Conditions C...
Need a breath of fresh air...
we bless you, please keep posting as we all love a good chat. Your two daughters sound lovely bet they keep you busy ,I know mine do. Any time you feel money just get in touch, there is always someone around to chat to. You take care, chat very soon. 😊 xxx Bernadette
Thank so much for your warm welcome. Hope to chat soon 😊
Hello Victoria. So glad that you found us here. Welcome. I don't have COPD though the symptoms of my lung disease are very similar.
I also have two girls now 19 and 23. I have recently been for a transplant evaluation and await the results.
Please don't beat yourself up about smoking. We all do silly things when young. I remember smoking behind the toilet when I was twelve. Testing the boundaries until my mum found out. I am lucky I am alive today. As I recall I was in a lot of trouble.
My lung disease is a manifestation of having Rhuemathoid Arthritis. I live in Japan and have a really sweet dog.
I hope we will hear more from you. Sending going wIshes.
Cas xx 🌸
Awww thank you so much CAS ❤
It's very nice to meet you. Hope you get some good news soon. Xx
Thank you xx
Hi Victoria hope you get lucky in your hope of a transplant. I am also end stage but aged 67 and on oxygen 24/7 when days are bad if a good day on for 16 hours so not to bad.
Always somebody to chat to on here, so stay positive. Love gingermusic
God bless you and thank you so much ❤
You are in my thoughts. Enjoy each day and the love of your daughters xx
Thank you. That's exactly what I strive to do.
Hi Victoria, it's nice to meet you. I hope that you drop in often for a chat, and have a successful assessment. Take care. Pam XXX
Thank you Pam ❤
Hi Jeccahaismom, I'm relatively new on this site and it really has been a valued. The people who share stories, give advice are most genuine. Welcome I'm from Scotland and it's great how folks from all over the world come together with the same issue. I'm 44 have COPD and emphysema, for the past 6 years now I feel I'm struggling. I see a big change since my last visit to pulmologist 6 months ago. Keep posting as it is good company you are in
Thank you and so very nice to meet you...To meet all of you ❤
Hello and welcome to the forum. You came to the right place. 
Thank you so much 😊
I sincerely hope you get a transplant and live to a ripe old age. With young daughters, you have to keep going and fighting to do all you can x
Very very true. Thank you for your support 😊
Hi Victoria
I live in Scotland and love the country but not the winters
I too have emphysema but I think it relatively early stage on comparison to yourself although I know what's in front of me. I try to stay as positive as possible and you sound the same. Hope you are successful in the transplant and have many years ahead of you. Take care and look forward to hearing from you.
Jimmy1c
Hi Jimmy! Thank you so much. So nice to meet you. 😊
Don't beat yourself up that it's "Your fault" - most of us did it at some point, I did for over 60 years; then there are many who never smoked in their lives and they've got it too. I believe a lot of it is genetic but that's just my take on it. You've no need to be lonely or scared now you've found us - maybe confused because we have a lot of different conditions between us. Think positive. Focus on the possibility of transplant which would be life-changing then eat healthy and build yourself up for that - I wish you so much luck and hope to see you on here with more news soon.
Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding. 😊
You poor thing, I am so sorry that you are suffering like this. I had been a long term smoker (I am now 77 years old), until I was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia. I have an appointment at the chest clinic for further tests. COPD is suspected. I haven't touched a cigarette since I was admitted to hospital. I must admit that I have resorted to e cigarettes which are a great help. If only we had known the dangers of smoking when we were young. It is six weeks today since I went into hospital.
So nice to meet you. Will pray for you to have a positive outcome. 😊❤
Hi Victoria, glad to have you as a member of HU and hope you enjoy chatting to us all. Here for you and wishing you well.
Take care xxxx
Thank you so much Sassy ❌⭕
Hi Victoria, good to meet you and sorry to hear of your trials. I used to be ashamed for smoking too but not so much now I read other's posts - if only we had known. All the best x
Welcome to this forum. It is brilliant, very caring and supportive. There are people here in a similar situation to you, and they will offer all the help and advice they can. Don't look back at the past and the smoking history. Concentrate on the here and now. Take each moment as it comes, make the most of what you can do and delight in your family.
All the best and keep us informed of how things develop
K x
Victoria,
I hope that you get your lung replacement. God bless you. Please let us know how you are doing.
Hello JeccaHayesMom. Ho dearme I'm really sorry to hear about the dire sitiuation you find yourself. If i could I'd come and give you the biggest hug. You sound as if you need a really good close friend at this moment. We can feel soooo isolated with our illnesses. I live in a small town in west wales in the uk. I'll tell you a littlte about myself. If you dont mind. When i was 15 yrs my parents split up and my mother left to live with a man half her age. I was so shocked. Never had an incling that there was anything wrong in my parents marriage. Anyway i found myself all alone in London. Not a friend in the world.I got myself a job in a hotel working 7 days a week and doing split shifts. Horrendous you think. I agree. I pulled myself up and got myself together.even at that young age. But i myself. Like you have emphasimia. Not as bad as you. Also connective tissue disease for the last 25 yrs. I find myself more alone now than i did back in 1964. Destitute and homeless. I really empathize with you. I have 2 grown up sons. 6 grandchildren. My own home bought and payed for and s husband of 50 yrs. And i still feel so so alone. Because our type of illness as many many of you out there know full well cant really be shared. But wd can sit ip and look it in the face and say. You haven t beaten us this far and your not going to start now. Our families can really feal for us and help us. But. Thats it. Its up to us to keep on trying. Just as the years have shown us to do in our dire sitiuation. Nights of sitting on the edge of the bed. Cant sleep. But we still emerge in the morning and get on with it as allways. And thats what we have to do. And i believed that you are strong enough to carry on like this. You are a brave woman and you can and will do it. 🎇 I will think of you every day. That is my true promise to you. We have each other. All of us with this dreaded disease.Suzanne.
Hiya , I'm from the uk and felt just as you did , 10 years on and I know I cannot win the war but I have learned how to fight the battle with this brill site and its members any probs post and someone will hear you xxlive
Hello and welcome Victoria, my motto is "One day at a time"
The air that I breath.
COPD shortness of breath. 
Have you had some Saturday exercise & fresh air today? 
Out of breath. Unusual
A story of a wonder drug,
