Mona praises support as she struggles with COPD

Mona praises support as she struggles with COPD

27 November 2024

A BALLYKINLAR woman who has been living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for several years has praised respiratory nurses who look after her.

Mona Strain (83) is one of tens of thousands of people across Northern Ireland who suffer from the condition that happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. 

COPD is associated with long-term exposure to irritants and in the majority of cases, smoking is the cause. Occupational or environmental factors, such as dust or chemicals, can also cause the condition.

Last Wednesday marked World COPD Day and this year’s theme was ‘Know Your Lung Function’. 

A former smoker who has long since given up the habit, Mona explained how she was to learn of her COPD diagnosis.

Sitting at her kitchen table studiously piecing together a 1,000 piece jigsaw, with an oxygen canister not far away, Mona said it’s a vital aid for her as she walks around her home due to the COPD. 

And the pensioner says she is “devastated and cross” at what she has done to herself while smoking for so many years.

The pensioner was left short of breath — which is very bad at times — and had regular chest infections which required her to be admitted to hospital.

“I was a smoker and that was the trouble,” said Mona.

“As soon as I was told it was COPD that was it. The day I was diagnosed I stopped smoking. I remember saying to my little granddaughter, ‘Granny’s not well and she can’t smoke anymore’ and that was it.”

Describing her condition as “such a cruel disease,” Mona praised the support she and her family have received from the health trust’s respiratory team. 

“Everyone is brilliant, I only have to lift the phone and the staff are out,” she said.

“If I hadn’t have had them I don’t know what I would have done. I feel confident that I have backup and that means a lot.”

A familiar face to her many patients including Mona, respiratory team lead nurse Holly Crooks explained how she and her team care and support their patients on their COPD journey.

She continued: “COPD is a very debilitating condition which progressively gets worse for patients. We aim to help and support our patients to live as independently as possible and also support their family and carers. 

“From that first initial contact we develop long-term relationships with our patients building on a foundation of trust, respect and compassionate care.”

Holly explained the respiratory nurses work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, optimising the care and support within the patient’s home environment working with GPs, district nurses, occupational therapy staff, dietician, palliative care team members and the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association.

And she said she feels “very privileged” in her role being invited into the homes of patients, like Mona to provide care in their own environment.

Holly continued: “We care for our patients holistically, managing their respiratory symptoms but also seeing the person behind it, ensuring they feel valued and listened to.

“Within the service, we offer support and guidance with smoking cessation, onward referral to pulmonary rehabilitation programme, education with inhaler technique and we also provide domiciliary reviews when patients are unwell to help prevent hospital admission.”

Holly said the respiratory nurses aim to help support patients to live as independently as possible and also support their family and carers. 

She added: “From this, we develop long-term relationships with our patients, building on a foundation of trust, respect and compassionate care.”