Hi everyone. I'm Margaret; and I have end stage COPD.... and I need your help.
My lung function is approx 15%. My lung age is well over 100 years old.
For those of you with a medical background my FEV1 is 0.4 ... and my FVC is 1.7. I am on 3 l/pm of supplemental oxygen.
I only have 5% air in the top part of my lungs, and 30% in the middle.
I have had severe refractory asthma since I was a baby, and I developed emphysema when I was 27 y/o. I am also allergic to some chemicals/perfumes, which isolates me from alot of people and places.
I am hospitalised regularly, and most often than not in High Dependency Unit, and for long periods of time.
I have other health problems as a consequence of my respiratory diseases. That includes a compromised heart, and osteoporosis.
I've been told that I am not a candidate for any lung reduction surgery (where they can remove diseased areas of the lung to leave more room for the healthy part), as I am very susceptible to infection, and having foreign matter (coils, for example, to keep the airways open) in my body would risk my life every day (if I even survive the initial surgery). I've also been told that I am "almost TOO sick" for a lung transplant .....
There are treatments and equipment that can help me towards that goal, however, but I could never afford on my own.... so I'm asking for you to please help me.
I've been struggling with my medical expenses, and exhausted all other avenues of assistance; so I was very grateful to learn that I could use this 'mycause' campaign as a platform to reach out to you and ask for your help to purchase the things I need for appropriate management, which can slow the progression of my lung disease, and reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, and improve symptoms and my quality of life.... as well as travel to Melbourne for transplant.
I've uploaded a couple of spirometry readings to show the severity of my lung condition.
The dotted line is the average/expected lung capacity ...... the squiggled line on the bottom of the chart is my ACTUAL lung capacity.
One specifies that my lungs are over 100 years old, and that is an older reading, so as you can probably imagine how things are considerably harder these days.
I've added a pic of my average oxygen level (89%) while I'm on 3 litres of supplemental oxygen (certainly not an accessory I want to wear) ... the 83 is my pulse rate. (that's a good reading for me). I can only walk 180 mts in 6 minute walk test. It's very hard to breathe ALL of the time.
All of the equipment I am pictured wearing is what I need to use each day, and many need to be replaced.
I am seen by The Lung Transplant Unit. (I have attached an app letter) I am also seen by Severe Asthma/Rare Lung Disease professor (I have attached an app letter) ...and visited by three Respiratory Nurses.
(These are among many other specialist areas that my decline in health requires).
If you would like to help me, please donate (no amount is too little) and/or share this mycause campaign with your friends and family by simply visiting the link.
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/167809/please-help-me-live … #itsmycause #pleasehelpme
Thank you sincerely. May your kindness always be returned to you 100fold.
Warm regards, Margaret <3
Thinking of you x