Hi Carrol, I can most definitely state that you can get your strength back after my 7 days in intensive care and this was photo below, the day after I was taken out of the induced coma and the life support system on the left and there is Mary delighted to see me awake as she was told to expect the worst when I arrived in Hospital with a white out i.e. pneumonia right across both sides of my lungs were all white and infected. Being in the UK where we have the NHS (which is a free health service) and after I came out of hospital I was assigned a physio as nice as she was she was a hard task master and I respected her for her efforts and I also had to put on weight as in these 7 days I had lost about 0ne stone in weight.
For me it was a hard slog, but I had to have the willingness to get up and walk with the Physio. Where I live I was also very fortunate as every 100 metres or so was a bench all round the block I vowed that I would one day I would get all the way round without sitting down once, and in between times I would go and walk a bit although it took something like 6 months to be able to walk round and past all12 benches and not sit down once, so it most definitely can be done, yes it can be a long process for some but for others it could be a lot less. I do hope that this helps you to get motivated and like me be able to get to the point where it becomes second nature. However the photo below was taken some 12 years ago and when I go out and about I hop onto my mobility scooter as I have a lot of problems with my spine most times making walking difficult. Eat well and above all else drink plenty water these days I drink flavoured water and lately I enjoy a few cups of tea during the day, I do not know why early on my Physio discouraged me from drinking coffee or tea but suggested drinking hot chocolate, these days I drink all so long as it is non alcoholic. Breathe easy and take I easy one day at a time.

2 years ago I was wheelchair bound and on oxygen after a bout of pneumonia. My doctor recommended pulmonary rehab (which I had done previously) so wasn't sure I needed to do it again. However, I went and am glad I did. Supervised exercise and continuation of exercise has gotten me back to feeling pretty good again. I still have oxygen but not 24/7 and go to the gym as much as possible. I have had some set-backs but exercise is an important factor in recovering my strength. Good luck and breath easy.

I was diagnosed with pseudomonas bacteria pneumonia in July of 2018 .I was in and out of the hospital until Jan.15th.Everytime they let me go home,I would end up back in the hospital after a few days.My COPD was the worst it had ever been,and I could no longer do things that I was able to do before this horrible bacteria.Finally,I am back on track and am slowly bulding up my strength.I go to a breathing center which helps me breathe correctly and is building up my diaphragm with exercises.I also do treatments with a nubulizer.It has been a long hard road.

I have had several hours with pneumonia and over the past 6 years hospitalized twice. The weather here in Holland is the same as in the UK. Yes you can get your strength and build back up your muscles. I may take some time and quite a bit of effort on your part. Nut it can be done. Good luck and Don t give up.

The answer is yes. It takes a lot out of you but you can recover. Be active. Do what you can, sit, do a little , sit. You can do this.