hi ya'll.  i need some expert advice.  i am having a hard time with the drivers door on my 78.  most of the time i have to use both hands to operate the door handle and then i have to yank on it to open it up.  i have used wd40 on the handle and also the latch. it has gotten a little

Does it work any better with the window down?

usually, i just keep the window down, since it sits in the garage. i use the inside door handle to open the door.   i am really lost on this.

Does it open OK with the inner door handle? If so, then there is probably an issue with the outside handle/flapper, and that could be fixed with an adjustment of the linkages, possibly.
If it is still hard to get open with the inner door handle, then the problem is most likely gonna be the door latch mechanism, or the door is sagging a bit, and hanging up on the striker bolt.
Then again, the striker bolt may just be out of adjustment, too...

yes sir, it opens ok with the inside door handle.  will i need to take the door panel off or have someone who knows what they are doing and help me with this?  i am recently widowed and i am learning a lot of things.  this car is nothing like my truck. 

Well, I don't see why a lady couldn't work on it.
If it is opening fine from the inside, then the latching mechanism/striker alignment is probably not the problem. Unfortunately, that leave the flapper handle(which just happen to be real PAINS to get to!), or the linkage from the flapper to the latch.
Does the inside area of your outside handle(flapper) have a lot of deep scratches on the side closest to the window? That could mean that the hinge is just worn out, and not letting the flapper flap far enough to release the latch. This would require replacement to fix.

Adjusting the linkages on the inside of the door can be aggravating unless you have very small hands. It also does require removing the door panel,
Don't know where in OK you are located, but there are quite a few C3VR members up yonder. There might be some close enough to stop by and give you a hand, if needed.

thanks you all for your helpful suggestions.  my husband taught me a lot about working on cars and a lot of stuff i can do myself, but some of it i may have to have a little assistance.