My name is Martha and I am 82 years old. I was a lifelong smoker and when I was 73 years old, it all caught up with me. My lungs collapsed and I went down to 20% of my heart capacity – the doctor told my daughters that I had a15% chance of making it through the night. They put a gas mask-type helmet on me. Apparently most people end up ripping off the helmet because it was so uncomfortable having the air pumping through your system in such a suffocating way. My daughters sat by my bed all night long and wouldn’t let me take it off, they comforted me and supported me and I made it through the night!
When I was discharged from hospital, still on only 20% of my heart (same as today), I was given 2 years to live, or 5 maximum.
Well I stopped smoking, accepted loads of family support and other types of support such as hot meals at lunchtime, and I am still thriving nine years later. Also just survived Covid year! I feel lucky and I enjoy each day.
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