Posted by Chris M. on 9/23/2009, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Wheezy girlfriend"
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Bless your caring of your friend- you are most observant and caring.
She has many more years ahead of her but for the believing that there is nothing more for her to do but accept the diagnosis and an inhaler. Sounds a little 'fatalistic': "I'm diagnosed, and I'll just live my sentence". I hope you can convince her there's a better future.
The alternative is to see a specialist, Pulmonologist, probably at a teaching college
to see just where the damage is and perhaps find some of the newer meds which can improve the breathing rate.
The wet cough and wheeze is a breeding ground for bacteria and virus which could become serious with a simple cold, let alone the nasty things running around these days.
That scenario leads to heavy duty treatments with antibiotics and steroids which becomes a real misery, so all in all it's better to find the best ways to avoid the heavy duty infections: Pulmonary Rehabilitation prescribed by a good Pulmonologist to rebuild the muscles, make walk a pleasure (not speedy or hard but longer and with less work) and they teach you better ways to breath, good coughing to minimise the bronchitis and stay well.
It sure does sound like depression and anger have halted the learning to recover process. In the many years ahead there may be a need for oxygen supplementation but one has to want to feel good and recognise it is good too for hearts and brains, and yeah, the kidneys.
As for improving closeness, you might rub the back and see where it leads. Nothing feels better than being cared for...
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