PERF, The Pulmonary Education and Research Foundation, is a small but vigorous non-profit foundation.  We are dedicated to providing help, and general information for those with chronic respiratory disease through education, research, and information.  This publication is one of the ways we do that.  The Second Wind is not intended to be used for, or relied upon, as specific advice in any given case.  Prior to initiating or changing any course of treatment based on the information you find here, it is essential that you consult with your physician.  We hope you find this newsletter of interest and of help

News

Update on Dr. Tom Petty

We've had many calls and requests for information on the condition of Dr. Petty, so here is the good news that comes directly from him. Tom's on the mend, and is now "one of us!"

Dear Friends, 

I cannot tell you in words with enough meaning what your thoughts, prayers and letters of encouragement have meant to me! Just briefly, I sailed through surgery and was out of the hospital in 5 days. An unofficial indoor record for the Mayo Clinic as my surgeon put it. But on return to Denver, there was a strong suggestion of a pulmonary embolus. The test was negative, but required dye to be injected. This injured my kidneys for a couple of days. It also caused a severe lung reaction with bronchospasm to complicate my mild to moderate asthma that I have had for a long time. Now, guess what? I am on home oxygen. I sleep with it and will need it when I go to Aspen tomorrow to attend my lung conference. I will proudly attend with the assistance of oxygen. More later as the fascinating story of life, recovery, love and hope continues. 
Tom

As we told you in our last edition, Dr. Petty has never missed even one month of writing a letter to The Second Wind since his first one back in 1985. He was determined not to break his record. He wrote his letter for this month before his surgery!

National COPD Conference

The first National COPD Conference will take place on November 14-15, 2003 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. This groundbreaking conference will be presented by the US COPD Coalition, of which PERF is one of 28 partners. This national group effort will bring together leaders in COPD management, education, research, patient advocacy, funding and public policy to chart a course of effective action against this disease. By having everyone work together, it is hoped that we can achieve that which we haven't been able to accomplish working alone. The program has been designed to encourage the participation of all individuals and organizations trying to make a difference in COPD. Participants will bring together their diverse perspectives to define a set of action items at the Conference. It is especially hoped that patients will attend and everything possible will be done to make it easier for them to do so. Are you interested in attending? Early registration is $300. Check the US COPD website at http://www.uscopd.com  for the conference program, speakers and all other information. You can also call the conference office at 1-888-876-1120 or e-mail USCOPD@congresscan.com for further registration and Conference information. 

We Got Mail

• We thank Dr. Selma Miller for the memorial donation to PERF in the name of Robert Myles Miller and also send our sincere sympathies to Dr. Selma Miller and the family. 

• Thanks once again to John Boynton for his generous donation to the Chair.

• PERF also wishes to thank Jim & Posey Fraser for their PERF contribution. 

• Special greetings to the support group led by Craig Pottinger, Ray and Margaret Holmberg in Green Valley, AZ. We are so glad that you find our newsletter helpful! Best wishes also to Tracy Simpson RRT and her patients in Scotland County Memorial Hospital in Memphis, MO.

Do you have a question about respiratory disease that has been bothering you? 
If so, feel free to write and ask us, either through our web site or by mail.
We answer all of your letters.

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