The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Strain of caring for wife left man with lifechanging emphysema
COPD: 77-year-old cannot go anywhere without portable oxygen machine
A Montrose man has told how he developed a life-changing lung disease as a direct result of nursing his wife of 54 years through the final days of her life.
David Munro, 77, said emphysema had robbed him of his strength and his breath and left him unable to go anywhere without a portable oxygen concentrator machine.
Mr Munro’s wife, Jean, died in 2016 following a battle with dementia which dashed the couple’s hopes of a long retirement together.
Research has shown people who provide care to a frail or needy loved one tend to live with high chronic stress and skimp on self-care – factors that raise the risk for numerous illnesses.
The pensioner insists he has “no regrets” about putting his wife first but admits the physical strain and mental impact of doing “absolutely everything” took its toll on his health.
His family and doctors eventually persuaded him to find a care home for
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As Jean got steadily worse I had to do absolutely everything and it was 24/7 with no respite. DAVID MUNRO
his wife when he could no longer climb the stairs and the last of his strength was ebbing.
Mr Munro was eventually examined at Ninewells Hospital and given a CT scan which revealed he had emphysema and his lungs were in a “poor state”.
“I didn’t honestly realise that looking after someone with dementia would become a full-time job,” he said.
“As Jean got steadily worse I had to do absolutely everything and it was 24/7 with no respite.”
However, he added: “I wouldn’t do things differently despite what’s happened to me as a result.”
Mr Munro is speaking out to raise awareness of World COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Day on November 15 and to encourage other people to look out for the warning signs.
He said emphysema has robbed him of his strength and breath but he was remaining positive.
Mr Munro is also keen to stress the great work being done by the Angus COPD group (Stracathro) which meets every Monday from 1.30pm to 4pm.
He goes there for seated yoga and exercise and the group provides advice and information for COPD sufferers to help them improve their quality of life.
The group will be at Tesco in Montrose from 10am to 3pm on World COPD Day for people who would like more information.
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk