I have been assessed as being close to end of life! Stage 3 I really don't know where the specialist nurse got this from as I have never been hospitalised and avoid infections carefully.. I am a long covid sufferer now and on ambulatory oxygen 4 ltrs for 12-15 hours per day. I try to keep as independent as possible, I live alone but have a lady who helps one day a week. This rating is really depressing. Anyone got any gems to cheer me up.
Thanks
Annie
Hi Annie, who knows your body best, you or the nurse? Some specialist l must say! You seem to be doing well so carry on as you are.
Wishing you well xxx
I wish they wouldn't use "stages" and numbers for our various diseases. Labelling is of no use (and in my opinion it's harmful), it is how you feel that matters! I walked into a specialist's office a few weeks back and he greeted me with "Ah yes you have very severe COPD"!! "Do I?" I said with a grin 😂
You keep doing what you're doing and be happy 😊 xx
My bladder cancer is staged and graded, a while ago I was stage 1 and I was relieved, until they told me I was high grade (grade three) then I was not chuffed, Now and waiting for last times biopsrt to see what stage/grade I am now. Same with heart and lungs.
I just get on best I can, otherwise I would go ctackers. x
Did she actually use the phrase “close to end of life”? I’ve just read about copd on the ALUK website and it doesn’t say that at all. Anyway I agree with leo60 on this. I think you should report this nurse because it’s a very unhelpful and dispiriting remark, with no thought to your feelings at all.
Also, why not give the helpline a call and chat to them? I’m sure they’ll reassure you x
Thank you and yes I will.
0300 222 5800
I'm sorry you have been told this, when there seems to be nothing to support this worrying assertion. Try not to let it worry you. You need to talk to someone more knowledgeable than this nurse for reassurance.
I feel close to the end of life every time I cross a road on my mobility scooter! I'm waiting for some test results today that may or may not tell me the worst. It's taken a few days to get my head around the possibilities but now I'm thinking I may be worrying about nothing as the silly b*****s on the road will probably get me first!
All my life I've worn clean knickers in case of being run over by a bus! Now we're lucky if we even see one so I could have saved myself the trouble. 🤣
I hope you get some useful advice from the helpline. Meanwhile, try not to be anxious about the nurses thoughtless words. You may not be able to change your lung condition, but her words shouldn't stop you feeling as well as you currently do.
You sound as though you're doing well, despite the COVID putting a spoke in, so make the most of every day and enjoy whatever you can.
Xx Moy
Hello Annie , come on you know what you can do , you seem to be coping well . I survive with a similar lifestyle to you. But we all have off days , take each day as it comes and before you know it another week will be past. I have COPD & cancer but no gradings or stages, infact people think theres nothing wrong as I manage most things . So make the most of everyday how you want it for as long as you can . Always look on the bright side of life as the song says. x
You are a Warrior, thank you x
I do wonder about some of these nurses who suddenly turn themselves into doctors. I would phone the practice manager and let her know just how these remarks affected you. In the meantime I would dismiss this and continue as you are, just be happy everyday x
I’m no doctor but stage 3 is considered severe from my understanding. After stage 3 is stage 4 which is very severe and I believe there are some here that are stage 4 and have been for awhile so it doesn’t seem the “close to end of life” is appropriate.
There are people who have lived with stage 4 COPD for many years; upward of 20, so it doesn't have to be a death sentence. With the right combination of daily exercise, no smoking, weight control, meds and not letting yourself get really sick, you may be able to live for a very long time. Probably the biggest issues are exercise and doing it faithfully and not letting yourself get really sick.
Making sure you don't get really sick means that you get to your doc ASAP when you do get something respiratory. The problem with getting really sick is that's when more damage to your lungs can occur and you can't recover from that. So the key is to catch things BEFORE you get really sick. Many of us have emergency antibiotics and prednisone we keep with us so we have it on hand the minute something tells us we've got a bug. Your doc needs to be comfortable that you know yourself well enough to use these judiciously, but many docs are very willing to make sure you have it on hand.
HERE ARE SOME DRINKS THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL:
Green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins, which may have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on lung tissue.
Turmeric Milk. ...
Warm water with lemon. ...
Honey and warm water. ...
Pineapple juice. ...
Beetroot juice. ...
Garlic-infused water.
Bananas: Bananas contain potassium and fiber. They are good for lung health, and the American Lung Association recommends that you eat at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Tomatoes: For high levels of lycoprotein, tomatoes are your richest veggie source. Lycoprotein is a carotenoid linked to improved lung function
Stay positive Annie ❤️
Thank you LJLiz for this amazing response, I feel better already.
I will take your advice on the drinks and bananas. I have emergency meds and also, i still wear masks when i go out (Long Covid).
Lots of love
Annie
I suspect from working in the nhs 30yrs, that this nurse read this information, presumably written by one of the doctors, or another professional.
She then repeats it to you thinking you have already bern told this.
I always tried carefully since I’m also on both sides of the fence, but somebody new may not be so cautious.
So I would check out the info with the GP you know best.
I was helping a friend who had a report which said he had type2 diabetes. When I asked him about this, he had no idea. The person wrote the report got the info from the GP who hadn’t told his patient nor ibstigated any treatment!bella
