Sally Everett was about to turn fifty. A single parent and successful lawyer, she was, seemingly, a picture of health. She ate right, she didn't smoke, she was almost never sick, and she exercised regularly. Then a simple cold turned into pneumonia. She was hospitalized and x-rays were taken of her lungs. Subsequent blood tests clinched the diagnosis. Sally had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by Alpha-1, a genetic abnormality more common than cystic fibrosis. Her prognosis was, at best, ten years. At first Sally decided she could and would face this alone. Her subsequent struggles, candidly recounted here, are an invaluable resource for anyone with Alpha-1, COPD, or any chronic disease for that matter. Always careful to point out that your experience may not replicate hers, Sally walks you through her initial reaction to her diagnoses; learning how to cope; the role of exercise, oxygen and other therapies; genetic testing; clinical trials; facing depression and disability; and even end of life planning --