Do you use supplemental oxygen?
Yes, when I sleep and when I work out.

Inhaled medications?
Pro-Air, Spiriva, Advair.

Do you exercise regularly?
Yes, two days a week at pulmonary rehab. I lift free weights at home at least two days a week, ride a bike - indoors in the wintertime and outdoors in the summertime. I shoot competitively with my bow during the winter, and I play golf as much as possible.

My doctor at U of M is cool. (Smiles) A while back I told her what I was doing at rehab and she shook her head and said, "No, Ken...no.... You have to work harder."
She's honest with me, and she'll get on my case if she thinks it'll help. I appreciate that.

Author's note: Ken's being humble with this brief mention about bike riding. He's actually very involved with cycling events to raise awareness and funding for Alpha-1 and COPD research.

Tell me about the bike rides for Alpha-1 awareness and research funding.
I enjoy them and the people I meet. It's hard work, but we support each other. I wouldn't be able to do it with out my oxygen. I feel like I'm doing something to help...and I get to see some beautiful places. Anybody you meet on a bike ride, you just get along with. Even if they're not Alpha's, if they see you riding and wearing oxygen...there's compassion on their face. You know, if they didn't see us out there, they might never know that people with this kind of disability can do a ride like this.

What is your biggest limitation from COPD?
Getting involved with a woman in an intimate relationship.

Do you think your disease scares them off?
I don't know... But, I do know that I don't need sympathy. I just want a partner, not somebody who feels they need to take care of me.

What has helped you most?
My faith in God, meeting my spiritual mentor, and learning that God is a loving God and He will never let me go. I understand that I may never get a lung transplant but when I die I will be restored immediately. Having my granddaughter, Kelsey, has also helped. She's the reason I fight.

The best thing that happened to me was coming to pulmonary rehab and being with the people in my class. Also, my medical staff - in rehab, my local pulmonary doc, and my doc at U of M - through all my ups and downs they continue to believe in me and work with me. There was another young guy at rehab with Alpha-1 who looked like he was 80 years old. That opened my eyes. He was still smoking and not doing anything to help himself. I said to myself, "I'm not gonna be like that."

If you had to give advice to somebody with COPD, what would it be?
Upon diagnosis, research anything and everything about your condition, enroll in pulmonary rehab and continue it forever. Know what your PFT (pulmonary function test) numbers are, and your O2 (oxygen) saturations at rest and working out. Find out what you can do, do it - and enjoy it. Focus on the positives, not the negatives.

What is your lung function now?