A$$ over tea-kettle...hoses galore

[eyeamdry]

Hi all,

I am new to the o2 way of breathing.  I am on oxygen and drag a hose around the house and this takes getting used to.  For many reasons--it gets caught on my foot, between my legs. wrapped around my body etc.

Last night I was doing paperwork in my favorite chair which is an upholstered rocker.  It also sits very low.  I went to sit down and I sat down too soon and was short of the seat.  I slipped to the floor and hit the arm of the chair which knocked a side table askew.  Everything on the table went flying, including A BOTTLE OF DIET COKE.  There were important papers all over the floor with coke spilled on them.

Well, this is probably first in a series of what these things will bring.  Nothing was broken or ruined by that fall.  I could have been hurt, but was not. I hate this hose/o2 crap I know that.  I wore the o2 out for a few steps in a small park.  Only one other person was there and she talked to my daughter about their dogs.  I thought she's staring at me.  I need to get my big girl panties on and straighten up.

[Katybarstool]

Lucy, that's a proper bummer! Did you manage to rescue any of the papers? It will take time to get used to that stupid hose - I have memories of struggling with an in-dwelling catheter, but I did get used to it after a while.

Let's just hope the benefits of the o2 ae worth it.

Hugs
Kathyx

[irish]

Lucy, Hang in there girl. YOu will adjust cause you are a survivor. I can't tell you the number of people I see at the mall/grocery store/Walmart, etc. who are on oxygen. I think it is the new rage.

Seriously, with the population getting up in years and the more technical medicine that is practiced, the oxygen levels are watched closely and people are getting oxygen much earlier now. It helps increase longevity---except in people who get hung up in the tubing. I couldn't resist that, Lucy. I know it can be a problem but problems can be overcome.

One thing I want to mention is to make sure that you change the tubing as directed, every 2 weeks or so. I took care of someone I had known for years. She had ended up partially blind because she was on oxygen at home with the long tubing. The company she got it from didn't replace her tubing and it got dirty(I am talking many, many months) and her oxygen sats were too low for too long. Tragic development that should never have happened. Behooves us all tho check on this with loved ones and friends.

I know that you will have a better summer now with the oxygen cause you will be able to get out more and have a life. Good luck girl, go get um. Irish

[eyeamdry]

Hi Irish-
I feel like I am in outer space yet.  It isn't too bad because just the two of us here.  Hubby is being careful and I know he wants me to wear it all the time.  Well, I don't have to wear it all the time.  I am experimenting tomorrow and Thursday by going to my PT and using my o2 while I am (1) in the pool (2) and the other day I will do exercises in the gym with my o2.  I want to see what my sats are when I wear the os with exertion.

I am thinking if I wear it all night (have to) and then some of the day that I will be able to disconnect for a few hours to be able to go to the grocery store or a mall store and be able to do it without dying in the process.  I seem to be able to use the o2 all night and part of the day and shut it off.  I then connect up around news time at night.  I do believe this stuff is helping me.

PS.  I did save all the papers.  Whenever I knock anything down, a Diet Coke is always in the mix.

[reesatay]

I've seen people walking around with O2 and the tank is in a backpack.  You can barely tell they are using anything.   I can understand how you feel self conscious being out with this contraption but I suspect you will adapt to and be more comfortable once you learn how not to trip over the tubbing.  ;-P  I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself when you fell.   

Give yourself time to get use to your new "friend".  I think she/he deserves a good name... one you can use in public and one you can't.  ;->   Hang in there and hope the O2 helps you feel better.

I doubt you are a smoker but just want to put this out to you.  Please don't smoke or let anyone smoke around you while you are on O2.  It is very dangerous. 

[gardenlover]

I'm thinking of ya!  I have a relative who had to adjust to this too.  It does get easier (at least it did for her).  Do you have a more portable unit you can use as well?

[eyeamdry]

As an FYI to this, I have been reading up on how to handle wearing oxygen and kinds and size of tanks.  One thing I found out and it's very important for anyone needing to start oxygen or someone on it.  Wouldn't be for everyone, but I am going to check into it.

It is something called OXY-GLASSES.  My DME guy had never heard of them and I showed him on the computer.  You will have go google "oxy-glasses" and you'll find some info.  Not alot out there, but I will definitely try them.  The little hoses that carry the o2 would come up your clothing from behind (under it) then a Y would form in the hose and one end slips on one earpiece and the other slips on the other one.  They stay behind the glass frames (depending on what you pick) and then when they come around front and the hose is behind the top of the glass frames, it splits again.  One end of the hose goes beside one nose piece and the other goes beside the other side nose piece.  Then coming down a little way is the clear hose and a J is formed and the bottom of one J goes into one nostril and the other J into the other nostril.  I think the frames are about $200.  I am used to paying $500 for my glasses anyway, so this doesn't scare me.

What does scare me is ordering the glasses in my script and decide I hate them and would rather use the o2 with the nose hoses and hose under my chin. 

[susanep]

Go     Lucy     Go!       Go    Lucy    Go!

susanep 

[quietdynamics]

Lucy...the OXY-GLASSES look great.

Tes' chic...