Community Spotlight: Meet Susan!
In preparation for our February Community Spotlight, we had an email conversation with Susan. Susan has been a valued member of our Fitness Club since we began in the summer of 2023. She also joined one of our first Harmonicas for Health and Happiness groups! Susan is a true Poplar Pioneer!! Susan lives an active and healthy lifestyle and she sets a wonderful example for those living with a chronic lung condition. This February, Susan shares her inspiring story with you.
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Hello, I am a 70 year old retired banker with 3 children and 1 grandchild. My first of many bouts of pneumonia came when I was only 10 years old. Over the years, after more bouts of pneumonia, pleurisy, and even a collapsed lung, scar tissue has affected the alveoli (small air sacks) in my lungs. This has left me with chronic coughing and breathlessness.
In 2020, I was diagnosed with Hyperinflated Oligemic Lung Syndrome and with Bronchiectasis. Hyperinflated Oligemic Lung Syndrome is a combination of two problems. One problem is that air gets trapped in the lungs. The trapped air takes up space and makes it hard to get fresh air into the lungs. The second problem is that the blood flow through the lungs is reduced, making it difficult for oxygen to get into the blood stream. Bronchiectasis is when the walls of the airways become wide and thick. This makes it easy for mucous to get trapped in the lungs.
As treatment, I had 3 inhalers prescribed for me. Two inhaled medications are for regular use and another is for emergency flareups. The inhalers helped my breathing and I noticed that I was coughing less, breathing better, and could physically do more. My energy started coming back!
I registered for 2 exercise classes for lung patients. One was through the hospital and this led me to find Poplar Pulmonary Wellness where I joined their Fitness Club. This was during the pandemic in 2020 so the classes were provided on Zoom. Online classes were very beneficial, especially on bad lung days when having to get ready, drive, and park at the hospital for the class was too much. It would mean cancelling class that day.
The Registered Respiratory Therapists, Tina, Jenna, and Kate, are knowledgeable and understanding. Each exercise is geared to allow different ranges of motion depending on how
we are feeling, all while focusing on the breath. We take deep breaths in through the nose and use the pursed-lip breathing method to exhale. The fitness routines activate all of the muscle groups. We do a warm up, balance exercises, cardio, stretching, and cool down moves.
These classes are an important part of our rehabilitation, even socially! We meet, exercise, and chat with other members on a regular basis. I am very pleased to be part of the group. It has allowed me to become more active and has helped me to manage my lung condition.
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We would like to give a big thank you to Susan for sharing her story and inspiring others to get out there and live their best lung life!!
If you are interested in learning more about Poplar’s Fitness Club, visit our Fitness Club web page or reach out for a Welcome session at 236-361-3480, or send us an email to poplar@poplarpulmonary.com. We look forward to hearing from you.