Receiving a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be an overwhelming experience. And, it can be difficult for newly-diagnosed patients to ask the hard, personal questions in clinic. These thought-provoking stories contain the answers to many of those difficult questions. This book is a window into the thoughts, feelings, and coping techniques of real people struggling with the effects of a life-altering disease. It is a must-read for newly-diagnosed COPD patients and their loved ones.
 
In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:  A Collection of Personal Stories, you will learn what COPD is and what it is not. Written in the actual voices of real patients and family members, you will hear what worried them, what helped them, the good advice they have to share, and even some unexpected joys discovered in the course of their journey. There is also a long list of resources for those who are exploring COPD topics. This collection of personal stories and photos was written by COPD patients and family members for the benefit of newly-diagnosed patients and their families. The authors want you to know that you are not alone.
 
Proceeds from this book will be used to improve the patient experience at Michigan Medicine.

Sara Whisenant grew up in southeast Michigan and still resides there with her husband and daughters. She has worked for the University of Michigan Health System for 17 years – the majority of which have been in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division. She is currently working in an administrative role in which she works closely with the Pulmonary faculty, administrators, research coordinators and patients. The passion that she sees her colleagues put into their work with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from both a science perspective as well as a human perspective is what inspired Sara to create this book.

Mary Kay Hamby grew up in Hillside, Illinois in a large, Irish family. She is a middle child, ranking number six of eight in the sibling line-up. She is a Registered Respiratory Therapist who obtained her BS degree in Health Care Management and, in 2014, completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Mary Kay has worked primarily with pulmonary patients in the various states where she has lived on the east coast, the west coast, and now in the Midwest. She has worked at Michigan Medicine for over five years and is currently a Clinical Research Project Manager for COPD Research Studies.