Air

Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday I went to Pulmonary Rehab (note I use their oxygen while I'm at rehab) and after I had coffee with a group member that has had a double lung transplant.  Let me first say I very much admire this person for his courage and I am so glad he is doing well.  Now for my adventure.   After coffee, my friend left and I went to the hospital gift shop to look for a specific item.  While browsing I became aware of being a little short of breath so I decided to leave.  As it happens I was out of oxygen in my portable tank.  I walked to the entrance guessing this is about 50 to 75 feet and sat on a bench to wait for the valet to come back.

The valet came back and someone else walked up to have him retrive his car.  I said "Really, you must be kidding"  I was about 10 ft away.  The valet looked over at me and said "Did you need something?"  I said, "Yes, I need my car I am out of Oxygen."  He said you are out and I said yes the tank is empty.  Now I gotta say if one is to run out of Oxygen the hospital is the place to do it.  This valet ran inside and told me to follow him.  By the time I got back in the door a wheelchair was waiting and the next think I knew 2 hospital personnel and 2 security persons where there to help me.  They hooded me up to Oxygen and let me catch my breath.  I then did have to wait for someone from ER to come over to confirm I was OK to go home.  It was my fault I ran out of air, I forgot to set  the oxygen flow lower while visiting with my friend and the tank is only good for a couple of hours at most set at 4 liters per minute.

Now for my thoughts - while all this was happening and I first got to the bench I kept wondering if I was going to be ok to drive home.  How would I get Ray to me with more oxygen, what should I do, what should I do.  That decision was made for me by this very alert and helpful valet.  I am very surprised at how short of breath I became and how dizzy I was feeling.  I never want to run out of Oxygen again.  It was wonderful of the hospital to let me take a tank with me and just drop it back off.  No One took information except for me name, I did not have to sign for anything and the security guy helped me into the car and put the tank in.  Lori came when I got home and she took the tank back to St Joe today.  Thank you Lori that was so helpful.

Today I have been feeling really poorly.  I am breathless walking slowly across the room with the Oxygen set at 4 LPM.  I have coughed a lot more and I am just really, really tired.  I am not sure if I am coming down with something or if this is residual from yesterday (that's what I'm voting for).  I just don't know.

I did manage to finish all the Christmas Cards and Ray took them to the post office.  Yay!  Some will not arrive on time, but most will.  That's all I did today besides rest.  I was hoping to have Owen and Kate tomorrow to bake cookies, but that probably won't happen at this point.  I am glad I already told them at rehab that I would not be there.

Today I am most grateful for that valet and the wonderful staff at St Joe Hospital.  I learned I need to speak up and I also stopped at my Oxygen supplier and got a tank of non Liquid Oxygen to keep in the car.  I shall never run out again. 
This is probably my last post before Christmas so Merry Christmas one and all.  Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers.
Trust me they are appreciated.  :^)