Some of my richest childhood memories are of my grandmother. Our relationship continued to grow stronger throughout the years of our lives. She was always lighthearted with a smile and a joke for anyone who would sit and listen to her spin a tale full of humor and chuckles. My grandmother never met a stranger and with the blink of her eye and the crack of her smile, the room would erupt in laughter, and a friendship was born. The circus that seemed to always be in my grandmother’s midst was colorful, filled with smiles, and lots of laughter. Growing up, I thought she was the ringmaster, cracking her wit at every turn. Later in life I realized the many valuable lessons I learned from my grandmother during our laughter and lighthearted conversations.
One of my favorite pictures of my grandmother is of her in her twenties in a bathing suit at the water’s edge. I always thought she was so beautiful in that picture, and although I never saw my grandmother smoke a cigarette, it was known that she was a smoker during that era of her life. I never knew my grandmother without emphysema, caused by cigarette smoking in her younger years. Even though never spoken, the most important health lesson that my grandmother taught me was this one: Do not smoke. I knew that smoking robbed us of many walks, swims, and our ability to enjoy life on a whim. My grandmother always said that if she wasn’t sick, she would be a real “town girl.”
During my nursing career I have witnessed countless patients trying to mentally and emotionally work through a serious medical diagnosis. However, few things in medicine bring about more anxiety for patients than difficulty with breathing. Is it any wonder that people who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also have a high incidence of anxiety and depression? Those who suffer from COPD are faced with loss of function, social isolation, and constant worry of being able to bring moments of breathlessness under control.
According to one study, about 80% of people with COPD suffer from depression, anxiety, or both. Studies also indicate that women are at a higher risk of suffering from the emotional effects of COPD. I think it is important for caregivers and loved ones to be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and if needed, seek medical treatment from a healthcare provider. The good news is that these conditions are treatable, and early medical intervention may improve results and save the whole family a lot of stress and anxiety.
It is important to understand that many medications used to treat COPD can also lead to depression and emotional anxiety. Adding anxiety and depression to an episode of shortness of breath only compounds the problem, making symptoms worse while decreasing the ability to participate in daily living. Recognizing and understanding the benefits of early treatment for the emotional aspects of COPD will improve overall quality of life.
The unspoken words from a wannabe “town girl” if you smoke: Stop! There is nothing sexy or glamorous about not being able to breathe or oxygen tubing. I often look back on my childhood experiences and reflect on how they have affected me in adulthood. I am sure that my grandmother missed out on things with me that she would have liked to have experienced. As for me, I know I missed out on a whole circus of experiences, smiles, and laughter that I will never know.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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