Eighty one year old William Brown, who lives in Cooden, has thanked the local NHS respiratory team for helping him to improve his health and enjoy life again following treatment for a lung condition.
After surgery and radiotherapy treatment Bill found himself short of breath and not as mobile as he was before, whilst the radiotherapy also left him diabetic.
He says he was unable to “chase the girls” anymore, a joke which brought a smile to the face of his wife Eileen.
After a routine check-up in July 2008 with Dr Martin Clee, Consultant Chest Physician with East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Bill was offered a place with the pulmonary rehabilitation group.
There he worked with the respiratory team; Val Clapham, Community Respiratory Physiotherapist, and Mary Stutely and Sue Dunn who are specialist respiratory nurses
Together they have helped him improve his fitness.
Bill underwent a full assessment at the Irvine Unit at Bexhill Hospital and then had twelve specially tailored exercise sessions.
These sessions normally started with the whole group walking around the hall to warm up followed by general exercises using the equipment supplied.
For Bill these included arm and leg strengthening and endurance training.
He was also given exercises to do at home.
Patients are helped to manage their condition by understanding how their lungs work in detail.
Bill says:
“I can now report that my breathing has improved and I have not needed to use oxygen for several weeks. My walking stick stays in the car, and my legs, arms and neck all work that important bit better. My diabetes is within acceptable limits and my energy levels have improved. I am enjoying a much more normal lifestyle and my wife and I are very grateful”.
Patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), like Bill, are able to access the classes run by the respiratory team by being referred by their GP or specialist.
The classes are run at Bexhill Leisure Centre, the Concordia Hall in Hastings and Rye Memorial Hospital.
