My grandmother was a 3-pack a day smoker and then got COPD. This was back in the 1970's and 80's; she lived to be 86. I have asthma, I think brought on by having to take too many (and the wrong) antibiotics after my appendix burst. I probably inherited her propensity to lung problems though :-)

Fifteen years can be a long time in health; think of cancer diagnoses 15 years ago? Who knows how long you'll live? Very scary wake up call though. Hope you are feeling better soon.