Hi! My name is Jan and I am the founder of Lively Lungers Lounge on Yahoo. I was officially diagnosed with COPD in 1998 although I have had respiratory problems all my life.

I, like many other COPD'ers, grew up with smoking parents. I was born premature so that was the beginning of my respiratory problems. I am the third oldest of eight children and we could not afford to see a doctor when we were ill. Endless nights of severe ear infections were left untreated by antibiotics. By the time I was thirty-five, I was in serious respiratory distress and fought sinus infections, year round. My ENT inserted tubes in my ears. They lasted about one year before coming out and had to have the procedure repeated. I have had only one earache since then but must use Flonase on a daily basis to keep the sinuses from building up.

In 1999, I received my first computer and one of the very first sites I looked for on the Internet was a COPD support group and Lo and Behold, I found a site at COPD-Support, Inc.

In the six years I have been a member, I have volunteered for a few different jobs on the list and met a lot of super nice people along the way. I went from being a chat host to starting the SOS group on the COPD List, to taking on the responsibility of Condensed List Administrator. I have since become a member of the Board of Directors.

In December of 2003, I was in a very depressed state and felt I was lacking something in my life. FUN. I had been a member of other Yahoo groups and thought, "Why not start my own group with other COPD'ers and Caregivers?" Our group started out with a few select friends and has grown from there.

I live in Indianapolis, with my husband, 4 cats, 2 dogs and my 20 year old grandson. Scott and I will be celebrating 30 years, in November. We have 4 grown children, 7 grandchildren, and one great grandson. If you would like to know more about me, you can check out my "About Me" page on my web site, Jan's Home Page

Following, is a picture of my husband and myself, taken in June of 2002.