For Brother Michael, his first year with the Prince George SOB group consisted of a lot of listening.
Michael, 65, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It only gets worse over time.
He is also a member of the SOB, (which stands for short of breath) an education and support group for people with chronic lung disease. The group gets together every Wednesday afternoon at AiMHi's Centre at 950 Kerry St. for exercise and emotional support.
"The SOB group deals with a whole host of ailments," said Michael.
After that year, Michael was asked to be part of the board of directors and he is currently vice chair.
"We have an eclectic group of people who attend the meetings and that's absolutely wonderful," said Michael. "We help each other by relating our tales of woe - it could be everything from the visits to the doctor to what this particular night was like and it goes on and on and what it is is comradeship and these people worm their way into your heart and you find yourself caring about these strangers."
At the beginning of the meeting, people can check their blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels, Michael said. Each person has a page in a binder where they can record their levels as well as give their personal rating of where they feel they are sitting with the chronic lung disease on that day.
He always asks everyone attending the meeting to try to do some form of exercise each week.
Michael explained that it's not just the ability to inhale enough air that's the issue, it's the ability to expel that air that's a challenge as well.
"Imagine trying to get more air into an already filled balloon," said Michael.
When Michael goes out in public, he has to take his oxygen tank with him and it's the first thing people notice. Kids point, people look and it can be stressful.
"You gotta have a thick skin and not everyone is so understanding," said Michael.
When a person gets the diagnosis of COPD, Michael said the clock is ticking.
"We've lost three or four this year," said Michael, fighting tears. "We miss the people that go.
He equates COPD with drowning.
"Even with oxygen, I am struggling, I am trying to control how I breathe and I tell people I am on the 10 step program - I take 10 steps and I am out of breath."
SOB meetings are every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at AiMHi, 950 Kerry St.
For more information call Nancy at 250-561-1393 or visit www.pgcopdsupportgroup.ca.
