The story of Jeff
Hello, my name is Jeff, I am 50 years old and I have COPD and emphysema due to alpha 1.
I was diagnosed with the disease 7 years ago. I was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema about 11 years ago and my doctor could not understand why at such a young age I had COPD and emphysema. After seeing 2 different doctors, I went and saw a specialist at the top of his field, he then sent me for the blood test to see if I had the alpha 1 gene and itt came back positive for zz. I then started taking prolastin and trying many different pumps and inhalers. I was a smoker and have stopped which was the hardest thing I have ever had to overcome. I seem to be managing the disease but I am restricted in many things in life that I cannot do. I used to be very active in life doing lots of sports, camping, biking etc and something as simple as going to work every day. I am now on long term disability and cannot do any sports or activities I am use to doing, I can’t even go up stairs without getting out of breath.
I have 2 young children, a boy of 11 and a girl of 14. My life now consists of bringing my son to hockey and my daughter to Irish dance, living my life for and through my children. I wish I could do the things I want to do with them such as go skating, go hiking or camping just some of the simple things in life I an restricted to do.
In the end I am too young to be restricted with such a terrible disease, I wish this upon no one and I plead with all of you to never smoke, take care of yourselves and live your lives like it’s your last day because you only get one life and one set of lungs so don’t take it for granted.
Cheers,
Jeff