The Warblers

Singing for Lung Health

Singing for lung health

 

 

Jean

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A few years ago, I had a Winter during which I seemed to go from one chest infection to another, never really feeling I had recovered.  I finally went back to the doctor who sent me for tests which showed I had developed Bronchiectasis. The frequent chest infections had made me physically unwell and my mental health was also quite low.

On a visit to the Brunton theatre one evening I noticed a leaflet which suggested singing for lung health with a group called the Warblers. I thought about it for a while and not having done any singing since the school choir I wasn’t sure I could actually sing.  Finally, I decided I had nothing to lose by trying it out. I contacted Jane, the groups song leader to find out where the sessions were held and discovered it was only a short distance from where I lived.  This seemed like a good omen.

I arrived at my first session feeling a bit anxious. I was immediately made to feel welcome and any worries I had about my ability to sing were soon dispelled by the friendly atmosphere generated by the group. Over the weeks I found myself becoming more relaxed about singing and looking forward to my Monday afternoon session with the Warblers.  I always came home with a smile on my face, feeling really relaxed having spent the afternoon in the company of friends.

At one of my visits to the Bronchiectasis clinics I was delighted to discover that the doctor noticed from the breathing tests that my breathing had definitely improved. Since I was not on any medication for the bronchiectasis, the only change I had made was my weekly singing sessions, this had obviously produced a direct result.

To anyone with a lung problem, I would say don’t hesitate join the Warblers. Being part of the group not only helps with breathing problems but also produces a general feeling of well-being and also adds a lot of new friends to your life.

 

 

Dorothy

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Woman in purple dress sitting in a pergolaI was diagnosed with COPD in 2008.   I had stopped smoking in 2007.  I was getting more and more breathless.   It came to a head one day when it was very windy. I couldn’t take two steps without stopping because I was so out of breath. I have to say, it was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.

When I was diagnosed with COPD I’d never heard of it before. At the time I was quite relieved to get a diagnosis and know what it was, but when I looked it up on the internet it gave me a bit of a fright.  I had a lot of support from my family and friends, but I was really concerned that this breathlessness was going to continue.

I waited 6 and a half years before going to Pulmonary Rehabilitation but had I gone earlier I would never have heard of the Warblers!

On the last day of Pulmonary Rehab you do a walking test.  I was absolutely disgusted with myself when I only managed 2.5 minutes when I had to stop as I was so breathless.  However when returning for my annual check up I did 10 minutes talking to the physiotherapist the whole time.

I put that down mainly to the singing.  It does you good and really helps with your breathing.

Through The Warblers I found out about an exercise class held on the same day so joined that and that has continued to be a help to me as well.  Through the exercise class I heard about an acting class in the Brunton theatre on a Wednesday and joined that.  Who would have thought a diagnosis of COPD would lead to my life being so full.  I just love my life.

I want to end on a little story about my grandson.  I collected him from school one day and was walking back to his house.  I had to stop two or three times and he asked me why I had to stop.  I explained that Nanny had smoked cigarettes for a lot of years and it left her very breathless.  He immediately said to me well here Nanny you can have my breath.  He was 5 at the time now 9 and still looks after me.

Joan

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My daughter advised me to start singing. She is a nurse and she told me that singing was one of the best things I could do to improve my breathing, and she had Woman wearing glasses sitting doing a jigsawheard there was a singing for lung health group meeting at MECA in Musselburgh, so she phoned Jane and I started coming – back in March 2019. My first thought was ‘I can’t sing!’ but I thought about it for a few weeks and then told myself ‘if it helps your breathing, Joan, give it a go!’ It was the best thing I ever did. You don’t have to be singer.

I had lung cancer and then I was diagnosed with COPD. I needed something to take my mind off things and to help my breathing.

It has helped my breathing enormously. The exercises that we do at the beginning of each class really help to open up my lungs.  Anything that makes singing easier also helps with your breathing. I notice the difference when I’m going around the house. Before I used to struggle for breath when I was going upstairs – I used to have to stop, but now I can manage most of the time without stopping. After a singing class I can go into the kitchen and do a bit more – like make a cup of tea or a sandwich. I feel uplifted and I know I’m breathing better.

The hours immediately after Warblers I feel I’m also using my inhaler less. Now if I’m feeling breathless I go to The Warblers videos on the website, and even if it’s only for 5 minutes it helps. It’s great knowing that the videos are there if I need them.

Singing to me works as well as using my inhaler – and it’s more fun!

Singing together with others with similar conditions has been great – especially during lockdown. You don’t have to leave your home and go out in the cold – and you’re still able to meet up with friends and sing together and have fun. Even though we’re online it doesn’t inhibit us. We all have to ‘mute’ when we sing a song together because of the time lag, but we can still see each other moving to the rhythm of the music, and we chat before and after each song. So in a way it is ideal for those who aren’t confident about the sound of their voice as no-one can hear them!

The small group chats give us an opportunity to be open with each other – we all get a chance to say how we are feeling. It provides a structure to the week and the Zoom sessions feel like we’re inviting others into our own homes, at a time when we are unable to do that in person. In many ways I prefer meeting online as it decreases the risk of infection

Jane, our song leader, is always looking to broaden our horizons, by adding new songs and exercises and meeting up with singers from Cambridge and the Forest of Dean online – there’s no way we would be going down there!

My daughter was right. I wouldn’t be without the singing now. I never thought of myself as a singer but using my lungs in this way has made such a difference to me.

March 2021