Living With COPD: Would I Be That Brave?

I recently read a letter in a syndicated advice column from a person who attended a play in a major American city and was annoyed by another playgoer's oxygen machine. The letter writer reported that a machine "gasped loudly every 10 seconds." This person went on to say, basically, that the noise ruined their entire experience. The writer was now asking for advice about what she should have done; also asking why can't people with these types of devices be asked 1.) To not attend the play, 2.) Sit in the back of the theater, or 3.) Turn off the machine?

You know, it's not hard for many of us to understand this kind of thinking. After all, tickets for big city plays are rather pricey, and we want to get the most out of the performance. Furthermore, we're being courteous, sitting quietly, turning off our cell phones in order to not distract those around us, and then somebody comes in with something like this. Why don't these people just stay home?

But...let's turn it around for a minute. I must ask myself, what if that were me? What if I were the one needing supplemental (and it is supplemental because we all need oxygen to live) oxygen to get around and breathe well enough to enjoy the little pleasures in life? What if it were me? If I struggled for every breath, Would I be that brave?

Folks with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, an umbrella term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis) and other lung diseases often become isolated because getting around (or just doing anything, for that matter) can be so difficult. Consider this: Some people with these disorders spend half a day just taking a shower, getting dressed, fixing a small meal, then eating it, only to be breathless and exhausted. This is an everyday - all day - fact of life for many people with chronic lung disease, and for those of us with able breathing, it's pretty much impossible to even imagine. If I lived each day in fear that I wouldn't have enough breath to get through a simple day at home, then had a chance to go out for a special occasion, would I have the guts to do it? Would I be that brave?

Able breathers take a lot for granted. For a night out, we rush around, get dressed, scurry to the car, drive to the mall, movies or ball game, park the car, and walk to the event. We don't put much thought or planning into how much energy it will take to get ourselves ready, then get there - or if we'll have enough breath to do it. The person with limited breathing must consider: Will heavy traffic make our ride longer? Once we park, will there be a long walk (longer than 800 feet is a problem for many)? Will there be stairs? Will there be a ramp (for some, a ramp is harder to navigate than steps)? Will something happen to cause me to completely run out of air? If so, then what? If I do get to the event with breath to spare, how far will I have to walk to my seat? Where are the rest rooms? Will I feel well enough to enjoy the event once I'm seated? To take all this on...Would I be that brave?