Text only | Increase text size A A A

Mary Keyser's Story

Self care is the key to independent living for Mary.

For 64-year-old Mary Keyser being able to self-care has meant that she is no longer in and out of Addenbrooke’s hospital and can live much more independently in her own home.

Mary, had lived with asthma for many years but five years ago she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a debilitating disease of the lungs which often left her struggling for breath and unable to carry out simple everyday tasks.

She often found herself an inpatient at Addenbrooke’s Hospital when simple things would leave her struggling for breath and suffering from recurring chest infections - a frightening experience. The impact of being in hospital so much was also quite depressing for Mary and impacted on her whole family.

It was through a pulmonary rehabilitation programme which was suggested to her by her local GP surgery that Mary got to hear about the co-creating health programme at Addenbrooke’s hospital.

Once on the programme Mary was gradually taught the tools that she needed to self-care. These tools range from remembering to do simple tasks like housework in do-able chunks so that she can achieve them, having a chair by the phone so that she can sit down when talking on the phone, preparing meals on good days and freezing them for when she’s not so well.

Taking part in the self-care programme has also helped Mary realise that whilst it can be frightening to be short of breath but that it isn’t harmful, she’s been in that position before and it will be ok.

Mary said: “I have just had to realise that I have to do quite a few things in a different way from how I would have tackled them in the past.”

Whilst most of us would just go to a supermarket and do the shopping Mary has to plan her shopping list to match the layout of the supermarket so that she can get around it without having to go back and forth.

Key to self-care is the ability to plan, prioritise and pace. Mary has also learnt to use visualisation and distraction techniques to help her cope when her breathing does get difficult.

Mary has also worked alongside health colleagues to produce a personal health plan which has all her vital information as well as enabling her to pre-plan her questions for hospital visits. Her advice is that when you’re well you may not feel the need to plan but that’s exactly the time when you need to plan so that you have the information to hand when you’re not feeling so well.

Crucial to Mary’s support has been the Breathe Easy group inCambridgewho offer support, help raise awareness of COPD and help to raise funds for equipment at Addenbrooke’s and local GP surgeries.

Mary has even started giving talks to other people living with COPD and she finds that this often becomes a sharing of experiences and that by doing so she and others can pick up vital tips for helping them to live with their long-term condition.