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Sarah gets up and prepares dinner. She stops stirring a pot of soup on the stove, pauses to catch her breath, then pulls up a stool to sit where she continues stirring.
Emily (daughter): Mom, how long have you been cooking?
Sarah: I’ve been feeling more tired lately. I feel good when I stop standing.
Sarah and her daughter Emily come to Sarah’s dentist appointment. Emily points to the stairs, but Sarah presses the button on the elevator.
Emily: We can use the stairs if you want to do more steps.
Sarah: No, thank you. Using the elevator is easier.
Back at Sarah’s, Emily hears Sarah coughing as she folds laundry.
Emily: Do you still have that cough?
Sarah: I notice it when I stand for a few minutes.
Emily enters the room and helps Sarah fold laundry.
Emily: I noticed that when you sit down to cook, you use the elevator instead of the stairs. And that you’ve had this cough for some time.
Sarah: Yes. I think so.
Emily pulls out her phone and starts calling Dr. to call up Brown’s phone number.
Emily calls the doctor’s office.
Emily: When was the last time you had a consultation with Dr. Brown?
Sarah: A considerable amount of time has passed.
Emily: Let’s schedule a consultation and tell him what happened.
Sarah and Emily are with Dr. Brown in the exam room.
Dr. Brown: Sarah, Emily told me she’s having trouble breathing and coughing more often.
Sarah: Yes. I especially notice it when I’m active or when I’m on my feet for a long time.
Dr. Brown glances at Sarah’s file and then looks up at her.
Dr. Brown: It appears that your COPD symptoms are not being controlled well enough. Many people in your situation adjust their routines just as you did, without noticing that their symptoms are changing.
Sarah: I think I did. I never sat down while cooking.
Dr. Brown puts Sarah’s file on the desk, leans forward and speaks reassuringly to Sarah and Emily.
Dr. Brown: Let’s reassess how you’re managing your COPD. I will schedule a spirometry to assess your overall lung function. We can then consider the best treatment options to better control your disorder. We will also begin pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen your muscles so you can breathe better and stay as active as possible.
Sarah: That sounds good to me.
Dr. Brown smiles as he hands Sarah his notes from their appointment. Emily smiles next to her mother and looks relieved.
Dr. Brown: I’m glad you came. You don’t have to put up with any inconvenience for this. Let me know if your breathing worsens or daily activities become more difficult. Together we will find a treatment that will keep your COPD under control.
For more information, visit HealthyWomen.org/COPD
This resource was created with support from Sanofi and Regeneron.