‘I’ve climbed mountains with a LUNG CONDITION’

Sue Hamman, 60, won’t let Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) stop her passion for walking

Afew months before I was diagnosed with COPD, in January 2014, I’d noticed that when walking outside in the cold, I was wheezy and breathless, couldn’t talk while walking and got chest pains going uphill. One day, out with my husband Steve, I was so breathless I couldn’t carry on.

After tests with my GP, I was referred to a respiratory consultant, who diagnosed COPD.

I’d been a smoker since 16, only giving up during my pregnancies, and then a year before my diagnosis. My consultant said my lung age was that of a 78 year old – I was 52. I was devastated.

He reassured me that giving up smoking the year before had helped and, although my lungs wouldn’t get any better, if I kept fit and stayed off cigarettes, I could stop them getting worse. I was prescribed an inhaler to take every day, morning and night. For a while, I felt really scared. I had chest infections, which required antibiotics or oral steroids. As a former A&E nurse, I was disappointed in myself because I knew smoking had caused this disease.

I had been training to climb Snowdon in Wales, with regular nine-mile walks. I thought COPD would put a stop to the climb but once my consultant gave me the go ahead, using my inhalers en route, I decided to keep training.

Six months after my diagnosis, I climbed Snowdon. I needed my inhaler several times, and stopped regularly to catch my breath, but when I made it to the top, I felt incredible. That was a turning point – I realised I could still pursue my passion for walking.

When the pandemic hit, walking helped me cope, as did yoga.

In lockdown, I set myself a challenge for my 60th birthday – walking the six paths of Snowdon! I organised it so I’d complete two paths per walk, one on the way up and another back down. I invited friends and family to join me, as I’d had to shield due to COVID.

I turned 60 in May last year and, as preparation, I walked 90 minutes a day. I successfully completed all three climbs, in April, May and June. Having friends and family to support me was wonderful. Friends carried my rucksack when I was struggling, which helped.

I feel far fitter now than in 2014. The longer I haven’t been smoking, the better I have felt. My arms, legs and core are stronger, thanks to yoga, and I know my overall health and fitness is stopping my lungs from getting worse.

My consultant says my future is positive, and by the time I’m 78, my lungs will be like any other 78 year old. Having COPD spurs me on. I’ve also planned my next walking challenge – a 33-mile route at Llangollen Round in Wales.