OK ahkhippiechic You probably know what I'm going to say but "hear" me out! COPD will not be like pneumonia or other lung ailments that comes on suddenly although getting upper respiratory infections can lead to you finally getting the diagnosis (as in my case.)
The reason I advocate so strongly for Spirometry is that, yes, you can avoid those URIs that actually make your baseline drop every single time! This last bout of URI I had back in January took 15 percentage points off of my lung capacity in a couple of days - and it never comes back! Had I had an early diagnosis I may have prevented the condition I'm in now. But I had to get a URI with a temperature of 102 degrees before COPD was ever discovered for me.
That's the thing about COPD it is a progressive illness that only has one direction and that's down!
Another thing to keep in mind is that emphysema sneaks up on you! You know you're maybe not as agile as you used to be but we have a definite ability to deny what's happening - "I'm getting older'" "that hill was especially tough!" "I just need a rest for a second."
The good news about early diagnosis is that the sooner you get the news you can do so many self care and management things for yourself you can actually slow the progression of the disease which means you have longer to live a healthy active lifestyle. There is specific diet, exercises, and yes, meds that you really do need and you really can help yourself prevent further ongoing damage. But you have to know first.
Keep in mind that the test doesn't give you COPD - it only lets you know that you already have it. In some cases ignorance is bliss but COPD isn't one of them!
OK I'll jump off my soap box now and just say -
CONGRATULATIONS on a spectacular Quit Journey!
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just gonna finish my quit and am going to stop worrying about COPD beause you took the time to encourage me.
walk a couple every day though, but I have to force myself. 
