Jean, Thank you for the response and perspective. I was frightened at first and irritated with my doctor for his unwillingness to engage the issue. After a couple of days and reading a bit and reflecting, I concluded that I should do the same thing regardless of the diagnosis. I should exercise, eat well, and learn exercises to enhance my respiration. Now without any real panic, I want to know as exactly as I can the status of my lung health partly as a motivator to do what I know I should do. By the way, I was a smoker for about twenty years, I quit about forty years ago. Thanks again for your response.

It's not unusual to have a CT scan and find the radiologist remarking regarding emphysematous changes. At this point, most of them comment on absolutely anything that looks a bit unusual. The actual truth is that almost anyone will show some emphysematous changes; it's very normal. If you want to be sure, definitely go to a pulmonologist and ask for not only that the pulmo read your CT scan, but that you also have at least a spirometry test or a Pulmonary Function Test. A spirometry test is considered the definitive diagnostic for breathing problems and if they showed up, would lend some credence to the emphysema being worth looking at. it's quite possible to have mild emphysema and not have breathing problems. You're already exercising regularly, and between that, no smoking and watching your weight, you shouldn't have anything to worry about at all.

We now live in unincorporated Huntley about 30 miles east of Rockford near I90. Before that we were in Elgin and then St. Charles. I worked in West Central Illinois for several years out of the IEA Rushville office about 30 miles southeast of Macomb.

Where in Illiniois? My first professional job was at Western Illinois University in Macomb, and my husband and I spent close to 20 years in the Quad Cities.

I noticed your advocacy and obvious commitment to the cause of helping others in their coping journey with COPD. I admire that. Your response to me was spot on and just the kind of affirmation and encouragement I needed to hear. As I read your story and several others, I was reminded on a more personal level the kinds of struggles so many of us live with on a daily basis. I also had to reflect that upon my own relative good fortune up to this point.

I also notice that you are in West Des Moines. Des Moines is my hometown. I graduated from Lincoln High. My undergrad degree is from Drake. I moved to Illinois after finishing college, but I still have relatives in the area.