Yes, that is the most bizarre title of all time. I really just want you to all walk around with the "Off to Work I Go" song stuck in your head! (You're welcome!)
Doug dug (ar, ar....my name is a verb too!) my ancient Bi-PAP machine out of the attic yesterday afternoon and "McGuyver-ized" it. I use the nose mask over my trach and kind of smoosh it together, and Doug got all the other hoses and pieces parts together and tweaked the inspiratory and expiratory pressures til it felt comfortable.
In case you are wondering, a Bi-PAP is like a ventilator. When you breathe in, it gives you a push of air in. When you breathe out, it kind of relaxes and the air comes out. It's kind of weird. But it is a workout! All I can think while all this air is rushing in is, "O my GOSH I can't believe "normal" people get this much air with every breath!" Yes, peanut gallery, I know "normal" has NEVER been in my vocabulary, but you get the drift. But seriously....if I could breathe like that every day, every breath! I could run a marathon!
Which also makes me realize just how weak I am...and how much I was pushing myself, and how blessed I am that nothing worse happened. I mean, where I am is bad enough...but it could have been worse. I guess God still has some work for me to do!
Anyway. I still have zero stamina. But then again, my O2 was 63%, so I suppose. Oh to rewind 20 years and gulp huge breaths of air....as much as I wanted. I know it wouldn't make a difference now, but it's amazing what you THINK you want when you're younger.
And isn't it ironic that we won't listen to others? There are SO MANY wise people out there who have much to impart...I wish I had listened when I was younger. Again, it wouldn't effect my health the way it is now or anything, I just know I missed out on some blessings and probably got a bunch of hurts I could have avoided.
I guess that's why part of me wants to document my journey. If indeed ONE person has a better life, avoids a huge mistake, gets benefited in some way, grows closer to the Lord....then it's all worth it. If more than one...what a blessing!
I have a physical therapist coming to reopen my case this morning, and a friend coming over to help with Jacob (and me!) as well. Then the O.T. comes at 4:30 (after my nap!)...full day for a sickie! OH, and my new 10 minute breathing workouts. Whew!
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4 comments:
That's so great about the Bi-Pap working. Full amounts of oxygen are great things! Woo Hooo!!!!!!
Thanks for the "Off to Work I Go" song. It will now be in my head all day. And on that note, off to work I go.
Cheers :-)
- CoconutPalmDesigns
Glad to hear the Bi-PAP is helping! People really take "normal" breathing for granted. Now don't got running that marathon just yet, start with a "fun run" or a 5K!!!
Again, thanks for sharing your joy and your struggles with us, it reminds us all we are not alone!!
As always, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers....
Good job, Doug! It's amazing what we learn to be grateful for with chronic illness. Praying for you!
My mom has emphysema and recently went on oxygen. She'd been fighting it, but now that we have it up and running, it's amazing how much better she feels! And we have a neat little battery pack for when we take her out . . . Glad to know you can fill your lungs and energize your body. My mom's experience and your experience do make me grateful for the air I breathe . . .
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