So I spent a good part of the day at the hospital yesterday. Those of you who see me regularly are almost as entirely sick of my cough as I am. Well yesterday, I finally got a diagnosis. I'm on a waiting list to see a pulmonary specialist now.

David gave me my spirometry and pulmonary function tests. He wouldn't let me take his picture but he took mine. This tube I'm sitting in? They call it the "body box."  Zoiks!!
So you know how I always said if they gave me 6 months to live the first thing I'd do is go out and buy a carton of cigarettes?  The irony here is if comes to that,  I won't be able to summon the breath to smoke!! Life is just SO not fair!
Anyhoo, here's the 411 on my diagnosis:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chest X-ray showing emphysema	Flow volume curve in emphysema

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General Information on COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is an umbrella term for two respiratory illnesses - chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or emphysema. There are 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD, of whom 14 million have chronic bronchitis and 2 million have emphysema. COPD results primarily from smoking tobacco. Smoking causes damage to the airways and the lungs. This lung damage continues to progress with the use of tobacco. Average current and former smokers will likely not notice or acknowledge symptoms for several years as this is a slowly progressing disease, characterized by a decreased ability of the lungs to provide the body's oxygen demand and remove carbon dioxide.
Affected individuals typically notice their first symptoms (shortness of breath) when they reach their 40s or 50s. However, earlier signs of COPD are often present. These include chronic cough and increased mucus production. Recognizing these early signs is important because lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation and avoidance of respiratory irritants, may prevent additional damage to the airways.

COPD affects the patient’s quality of life significantly. Patients alter their lifestyles because they become short of breath after minimal exertion. Physical activities take longer to complete. Also, fatigue, frustration and depression can become a problem.