Centra, Central Virginia's Medical Leader

Kay Hughes crossed the finish line at Randolph College with both arms extended over her head in a “V-formation.”  “V” for victory!  She had achieved her goal of walking the hilly 4-mile walk that coincided with the Virginia 10-miler.  The rest of her “Heavy Breather” team was there to congratulate her, along with her husband and two standard size poodles, Eli and Cedar.

To most people this may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but to Kay, who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it was more than an accomplishment.  Successfully completing this event represented a victory over a disease that is notorious for robbing its victims of their quality of life and breath.

In 1996, Kay was diagnosed with COPD.  “I know this sounds crazy, but I was glad to hear I had COPD!  For two years I knew something was wrong with me but I didn’t know what it was.  To finally have a diagnosis and a treatment plan was a relief.”

COPD is a lung disease that cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be treated.  It is estimated that 24 million Americans have some form of COPD, but half of these individuals remain undiagnosed.  The Centers for Disease Control announced in December, 2010 that COPD is now the third leading cause of death in the United States.  This is nearly a decade earlier than projected.

Once diagnosed with COPD, Kay took the initiative to learn more about her type of COPD, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.  She also discussed treatment options with her pulmonologist.  Along with medications, her pulmonologist stressed the importance of a regular exercise program.  Initially, Kay got her exercise by walking Eli and Cedar, but later she felt she needed more structure and support.  That is when her physician ordered Centra’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

Pulmonary rehab is a core team of medical professionals who work with chronic lung disease patients.  The goal of the program is to help the participants reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.  The program consists of physical activity, education and social support in a medically supervised environment.

It was pulmonary rehab that suggested the idea of putting together a team for the 4-mile walk.  They decided to call themselves “The Heavy Breathers.”  Kay was quick to sign up for the challenge and immediately went into training for this event.

“Most individuals with COPD allow the disease to get the best of them.  Unfortunately, they develop an ‘I can’t’ attitude.  Kay, and others like her in our pulmonary rehab program, are perfect examples of those who say ‘I can,” says Nancy Caldwell, Respiratory Therapist with Centra’s Pulmonary Rehab.

Centra celebrated World COPD Day on Tuesday, November 15^th.  On that day, Kay, other pulmonary rehab participants, and medical professionals took on the challenge of walking 100 miles for COPD.  “There were three goals for this event.  The first was to create awareness about COPD.  If individuals are aware of the disease, hopefully they won’t go two years before they are diagnosed like Kay did.  The second goal was to educate COPD patients and to prove to them that they can walk and exercise.  Just because they are breathless doesn’t mean they have to be helpless.  Finally, the third goal was “just to have fun!” says Nancy Caldwell, RRT.

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