My father was first diagnosed with COPD January 2003, there were small spots on his lungs. As this terrible disease progressed, it slowly took away from him so many things. It took away his ability to continue living day to day. He couldn't work, because he required oxygen. Family functions were difficult, because he couldn't walk around and visit anymore. His time out of the house, was generally a coffee shop stop to visit with friends. Watching him lose weight, cough so hard we thought he was going to lose consciousness, and struggle to take a simple breathe, was heavy on the heart. The one thing that amazing man never ever gave up was his dignity or his love for his family.
While we were blessed to have him as long as we did, my heart hurts a LOT less, knowing that now he can breathe easy. I miss him dearly. Until we meet again...
