Yoga helps Tracy find ‘perfect life’
AWOMAN who was forced to quit her job after being diagnosed with a rare incurable lung disease now says she is leading a ‘perfect life’.
Tracy Samways, from Bollington, left her position as a home economics and textiles teacher five years ago after one of her lungs collapsed.
She was told she had the progressive disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis (known as LAM).
After struggling to continue part-time the 55-yearold decided to retire and started to practice yoga and meditation.
She says she has never looked back.
Tracy said: “When I was diagnosed, I didn’t really accept it and thought I could just carry on as normal, but I was so exhausted all the time that, in the end, I had to give up the job I loved.
“My consultant said my oxygen levels were at 40 per cent and made a strong recommendation that I go on a medication called rapamycin to help halt the decline.
“I initially told him it was not for me because I was worried about the sideeffects – and to be honest I was still trying to pretend that I was fine.
“But a month later I went back and asked if I could go on it. I’m delighted to say I found I was able to tolerate the medication and now feel really well.”
LAM, which only affects women, causes cysts to form in the lungs, and can make breathing difficult.
LAM Action, a charity which supports Tracy, provides the chance for people to talk with others in similar circumstances and offers support and encouragement and information and also raises money for clinical research into an effective cure or treatment.
The charity estimates that there are currently around just 350 patients in the UK with the disease.
LAM Action says there has also been an upward spike in Tracy’s blood oxygen levels to 50 per cent.
“I don’t know if that’s from giving up my job, doing yoga, or taking the medication, but there’s a solid upward trend and for that I am really grateful,” she said. “I try to make the most of every minute, and I have to say life is better than it’s ever been. I really appreciate each day and try to live in the moment.
“I feel very fortunate to be allowed to live my perfect life.”
Tracy is a regular student at Pure Yoga Cheshire in Macclesfield and said it gives her a sense of wellbeing and allows her to meet people from all walks of life.
In 2017, Tracy suffered another setback when her husband John was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) – a rare neurological disorder that causes progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.
She said: “Two years ago, he was only able to walk a few metres with the aid of a stick and often hospitalised for weeks at a time, but a brilliant operation to his back has sorted him out.
“We love walking in the Peak District together, which is on our doorstep, and we have a canal boat moored at the bottom of our garden and make some lovely trips on that.
“So, life is sweet.”