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Dialogue
Sarah is standing up making 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 resumes stirring.
Emily (daughter): Mom, since when do you sit down to cook?
Sarah: Oh, I’ve just been feeling more tired lately. It feels good to get off my feet.
Sarah and her daughter Emily arrive at Sarah’s dentist appointment. Emily indicates the staircase but Sarah pushes the button on the elevator.
Emily: We can take the stairs if you want and get our steps in.
Sarah: That’s okay. The elevator’s easier.
Back at Sarah’s house, Emily hears Sarah coughing while she is folding laundry.
Emily: You still have that cough?
Sarah: I notice it more when I’m on my feet for a while.
Emily walks into the room and starts helping Sarah with the laundry folding.
Emily: I’ve noticed you’ve been sitting down to cook and taking the elevator instead of the stairs. And you’ve had that cough for a while now.
Sarah: Yeah. I guess I have.
Emily gets out her phone and starts to bring up Dr. Brown’s phone number.
Emily calls the doctor’s office.
Emily: When was the last time you saw Dr. Brown?
Sarah: It’s been a while.
Emily: Let’s make an appointment and tell him what’s been going on.
Sarah and Emily are in the exam room with Dr. Brown.
Dr. Brown: Sarah, Emily told me you’ve been getting more short of breath and coughing more often.
Sarah: Yes. I’ve noticed it mainly when I’m active or on my feet for a long time.
Dr. Brown glances at Sarah’s chart and then looks up at her.
Dr. Brown: It sounds like your COPD symptoms are not controlled well enough. Many people in your situation find themselves adjusting their routines, just like you have, without realizing their symptoms are changing.
Sarah: I guess I have been doing that. I never used to sit while I cooked.
Dr. Brown sets Sarah’s chart on the desk and leans forward, speaking reassuringly to Sarah and Emily.
Dr. Brown: Let’s reassess how we’re managing your COPD. I’m going to schedule a spirometry test to check your overall lung function. Then, we can review the best treatment options to get better control of your condition. We’ll also have you start pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen your muscles, so you can breathe better and stay active for as long as possible.
Sarah: That sounds good.
Dr. Brown smiles as he hands Sarah his notes from their appointment. Emily smiles beside her mom, looking relieved.
Dr. Brown: I’m glad you came in. You don’t have to just push through this. Keep me posted if your breathing gets worse or daily activities become more difficult. We’ll work together to find a treatment that keeps your COPD under control.
For more information, please visit HealthyWomen.org/COPD
This resource was created with support from Sanofi and Regeneron.
