Hi, I'm Nick. Thank you for taking the time to read a bit more about me & why I've started this page. Breathing, is the most natural process on Earth & most people do it without a second thought. For some of us though, breathing and the discomfort is a constant worry, 24/7.

I have Mediastinal lymphadenopathy, Pulmonary Fibrosis, HPOA, & also various lung conditions that can really be covered by the term COPD. The names really aren’t that important, it’s the way they affect the body. Until now, I kept health matters fairly private. I've only shared with family & a couple of very close friends.

Telling others you have problems isn’t easy, asking for help or support can be even harder for a lot of reasons. Anyone with a serious long term condition or disability will know that you adapt your lifestyle, work around areas of weakness, change your routine or behaviour and avoid certain activities altogether. This is great while you can still enjoy areas of your life and we all do it.

This goes on for years until you get to a certain point, then you realise you can’t do the enjoyable or special things you used to. Slowly but surely, bit by bit, they have been chipped away; it’s so frustrating, when you can’t do the simplest everyday actions that are so easily taken for granted.

I have generalised, but I know there will be hundreds of others who will know exactly what I mean. That’s when asking for help becomes so difficult, when you can see the last slice of your independence slipping away. I have reached the point where I relish the little things I can manage and even if they’re difficult, there’s no way I want to ask for that help.

I was born with breathing problems, so I haven’t known any difference, it was normal for me, I didn’t know that I was breathing any differently to other people. It wasn’t until I was about 13 that I felt restricted and couldn’t join in with friends. Sports were obviously difficult for me, which was a big problem in secondary school.

I have never let my breathing dictate or restrict me from doing what I wanted to do. I’ve taken every opportunity which has let me do some amazing things. Over the last couple of years, things have got much worse, the chisel has certainly been working overtime, chipping away.

Things I loved to do, such as walking (with and without my dogs) and gardening are a thing of the past, these just became too difficult with the pain in my hands and my breathing. It’s so embarrassing, when you just can’t keep up with friends and family. Each time walking more and more slowly until you just give up trying. It’s awful to think about just how much you have missed out on.

Now even simple things like brushing my teeth and putting on socks are leaving me fighting for breath. Getting into bed is terrifying, many nights I have laid there, thinking I am going to die as I just can’t catch my breath at all, it’s frightening. Having a bath, is out of the question, even a shower is getting harder, I have to dry naturally as there’s no way I can dry myself. They say, arm movement uses more Oxygen.

For so many years, I had hoped for some kind of miracle, something that would make life better, to help with the pain and breathing. I had been booked onto a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course, it was during the pre course assessment that the nurse said I couldn’t be accepted for the course due to my Oxygen levels being too low.

I had an Oxygen Assessment and that is when I had the opportunity to try out an Oxygen Concentrator. It totally blew me away! I couldn’t help crying with joy afterwards. I find it hard to believe that something so small and light could totally change my life. I could have my life back with the delivery of a machine.

It only lasted 6 Minutes, But that was the first 6 Minutes in years, where I could walk and breathe normally. I had never dared to dream of a time when I could breathe with No Discomfort, No Struggle, basically no thought whatsoever. I just can’t put it into words, the difference it made was incredible. Being able to buy the Inogenone G5 etc, would give me my life back, my independence and my confidence.

Thank you so much for spending the time today and looking at my page. It is hard to put things down in writing, it can be easier face to face, I have done a short video that also includes a thank you to those who have added their support. It will make a huge difference to my life.

Take care and Stay Safe.