Hello again everybody. This should be the final update on my lingering Covid symptoms

[The Polack MSgt]

Spoke with my doctor yesterday regarding my tests/scans

Turns out the reason for my breathing difficulties was fairly easy to discern:

36 years of smoking gave me emphysema.

Turns out the inflammation from Covid combined with the damage I did to my lungs smoking has me sucking wind. Literally

So, as the inflammation recedes, my breathing is slowly getting better, but there's no telling how much function I will get back.

The Doc says my emphysema is very mild at this point, and aggresive treatment is not needed - yet, there's always a yet with progressive illnesses.

I'll be doing breathing exercises and getting rechecked periodically until I get to what my new baseline pulmonary function is, and reevaluate treatment options from there.

Thank all of you for the positive thoughts and interest in my progress.

Edited To Add: I quit smoking almost 4 years ago

[lagomorph777]

1. Best wishes - hope you're off the cancer sticks.

[The Polack MSgt]

4. Yeah I quit almost 4 years ago

Wish it was 24 years ago

[Maraya1969]

2. And you have stopped smoking right?

Just checking.

[alwaysinasnit]

3. I am so glad you are doing better and I hope your recovery is speedy.

[MLAA]

5. Best wishes!

[BlueIdaho]

6. At least you know...

My hopes for the best outcome possible. Hang in there and don’t give up!

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Hang In There, Sarge

Has your doc suggested milder, routine treatments?
My FiL was on an inhaler for a few years for the same condition. Don't know if it applies to your case or not.
He also has copd/quite mild emphysema.
Helped him quite a bit.
He died of another malady. Totally unrelated to the respiratory issue.

[The Polack MSgt]

9. She wants to see what my lung function looks like in a few weeks.

I guess I should have mentioned that in general, I am feeling better than I was last week when I wrote that update.

So, other than the shock of hearing "Emphysema" it was positive news

[Ligyron]

30. I'm having one of those tests done in two weeks.

As I have emphysema too.

Spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia back in April and I’m pretty sure vaping had a lot to do with it.

When you look at the images you can see little holes in the top part of my lungs.

Scary…

[peggysue2]

8. I quit 25 years ago

I watched my mother become increasingly breathless from emphysema. Remarkably, she kept smoking right up to the end, took my quitting as some personal insult bc I was always a . . . smarty-pants.

LOL. Families never cease to amaze.

You did exactly the right thing--quit the smoking, gave your lungs that 4-years of recuperation before they were assaulted by Covid. Have a feeling things could have been much worse as an active smoker.

Take care of yourself!

[Ligyron]

29. Yeah, my mom used to smoke hooked up to the oxygen tank

It’s a wonder she didn’t burst into flames or blow us all to kingdom come.

[peggysue2]

31. LOL!!

Maybe it was the generation--full steam ahead! Regardless. Or maybe it was because they started smoking so early (my mother was 14) and the addiction was tres impossible to give up.

Health-wise, it was probably the best decision I made. Wish I could get my younger son to quit. He vapes, continuously, keeps telling me it's perfectly safe.

I don't think so. Moms worry and fret. It's our job.

[Ligyron]

32. The problem is you can do it just about anywhere and get away with it

So naturally you end up Inhaling it alot more often than you’d ever inhale cigarette smoke.

With Covid and quarantine in effect I’d sit there on the computer Sucking on that thing for hours and hours.

It was when I started coughing up blood that I went to the Doctor Who told me to go down to the ER immediately. I spent a little over a week in the hospital and was sent home with oxygen.

After about a week I didn’t need the oxygen anymore but now instead of my vape, I’m sucking on Spiriva and a rescue inhaler.

[peggysue2]

39. Yikes!

Your story is what I've read elsewhere. People have been lured into thinking it's a safe alternative. It's just not.

Take care of yourself (that's Mom talking).

[blm]

10. 💐💕

🤞🏽

[MontanaMama]

11. So glad you are improving...even if it is slow.

Can you taste/smell?

[The Polack MSgt]

13. My sense of smell is slightly better than last week.

My wife was roasting garlic and peppers yesterday and I got a 10-15 second window where I could smell it cooking.

Then it faded away again. Episodes like that are happening more often as the days go by, but this is pretty frustrating.

The brain fog is slowly fading away as well. I credit naps/earlier bedtimes for part of that

[niyad]

12. Glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better. And glad to know that you quit the coffin

nails years ago. Continuing vibes for healing and strength. And belated congratulations on your posting milestone.

[The Polack MSgt]

14. Thank you niyad

I blew right past 10K without even noticing.

I'm going to do a big milestone post at some random number soon

I'll argue that a prime number over 10K is a better marker than a number ending in all zeros would be.

[sheshe2]

15. Good to hear that you are doing better, MSgt.

[CentralMass]

16. I'm glad that your recovery is going well MPS and best of luck with your lung health.

[Paladin]

17. Best wishes. Hang in there, and thanks for the update. (nt)

[sarge43]

18. Well done, Sergeant

[ancianita]

19. Glad you're better.

One day at a time, right? I'm a fellow quitter (3 mos now, after 28 yrs).
Sleep, rest, enjoy more smells. We need you around here.

[SergeStorms]

20. Glad you found out.

Thinking it was the lingering effects of COVID would have confused you forever.

I, too, share the effects of years of smoking. Like you, I've quit, but there's no way to repair the damage done.

Hang in there, keep expanding those lungs as much as possible, and you'll be back to your mean, cantankerous old self in no time.

[Celerity]

21. So glad to hear you now know the underlying pathologies and I so hope you rapidly improve.

[NurseJackie]

22. Glad you're doing well/better ... and CONGRATS AGAIN ON BEING SMOKE FREE!!!

That's awesome!

[Gore1FL]

23. Get that lung capacity back quick.

You'll need that breath is the Cardinals can hold on to their Wild Card slot!

I hope you feel better, and don't make this the last update if you have improvements. You are a member of a community that cares about you.

[applegrove]

24. Vibes to you. Congrats on your quit. I know it is really hard to do. May you keep

getting better.

[MetalMama]

25. Positive thoughts

coming your way. I hope you continue to improve.

As a former smoker, I know how difficult it is to quit. I was a smoker for over 26 years and finally quit 17 years ago. So, congrats on kicking the habit.

[brer cat]

26. I hope you continue to improve.

"Mild" is better than most alternatives!

[Evolve Dammit]

27. Best wishes Sarge! Onward and upward

[bluedevil4]

28. Thank you

For sharing this with us

[blogslug]

33. Much love to you

I hope all gets only better

[Hortensis]

34. Sounds like a good plan, Polack. Sure hope your new

baseline lets you do everything you want to anyway.

[Nevilledog]

35. That you for the updates!

Hope your lungs keep improving.

[appalachiablue]

36. Appreciate the update & all the best. Good thing

the emph. is very mild. Keep on keeping on, strong and steady.

[spanone]

37. What a journey...take good care of yourself.

[Niagara]

38. Thank you for the update.

I'm continuing sending healing vibes to you.



Congratulations on your successful smoking cessation. I know it's not an easy task.