Thread: Progress

I've been able to spend extended periods without my oxygen tube (if you haven't had the experience of trailing a fifty-foot plastic snake around you couldn't even begin to understand, I tell you), even taking a walk twice around the apartment building. I went swimming. These'd be small things to accomplish if this were last year, but now they're HUGE.
We walked up to Target, 1.2 miles away, walked around in the store, walked back. We used my wheelchair as a shopping cart. Next time we're not taking it.
We took the bus to Sunflower, a local store with Farmer's Market-fresh produce. The oxygen in my tank ran out halfway through the trip. Nobody panicked. I was fine. Not gonna say it wasn't hard. I was noticeably shorter of wind when the trip ended, and I was so exhausted that I fell into the bed and slept for twenty minutes after putting the stuff away.
At least now I can get out some. It's way better than when I woke up in the hospital and all I could do was to flap my lower arms like a big skinny thalidomide baby.
My old job called. They're not going to extend my leave-of-absence another sixty days, so I don't have a job any more. I'm subject to rehire, though. Don't know if I'd want to go back there. It was good money but tech support isn't a barrel of laughs.
The day before, I had been to the Social Security doctor-I've applied for SSI and SSD. There's definitely some impairment, he says...seemingly on my side, but I have my suspicions about anyone in his position. It's possible he may have something to gain by lying in his report and helping the fed to deny claims.
So, yeah, the path ahead is as clearly marked as a mud puddle in a swamp, and I proceed forward on eggshells.
Once my lungs are better, I want to take some classes. Can take most coursework online, but I want to pursue some things that will necessitate in-person hands-on exercises.
Plus I want to get out more. I'm way beyond cabin fever.

Why do you need an oxygen mask moderan?
Sorry about your situation.
I hope it will get better very soon.

To make a long story real short, Nacian, I was stricken back in February with an aggravated case of double pneumonia that developed into the often-fatal condition called ARDS and required extensive hospitalization and rehab. I'm not wearing a mask, but a thing called a nasal cannula (you see them all the time on doctor shows-the two tubes for up your snout that u-down into a single tube).
I lost @80 lbs and my mobility during that hospital stay and am still rehabbing. Thanks for your kind words. I work at getting better assiduously and look forward to getting rid of all of this apparatus and living unencumbered and healthy.

You'll achieve it, Mod. Look at what you've accomplished from this time last year, and think of what you will accomplish in another twelve months. If you weren't strong-minded you might have given up in the hospital. You didn't, and I'm confident you'll be rid of the oxygen this time next year, if not sooner.

Good luck, and keep inspiring us mere mortals.

A year! Dear sir, I plan to rid myself of this greenish plastic tube by Hallowe'en. Strongminded? Stubborn I call it. Bullheaded. Obstinate.

Haha. That's the spirit!

Awesome to hear you're making progress. Your outlook sounds pretty good, Mod -- and that's really something to be admired.

It is truly inspiring. I am guessing writing keeps you busy and entertain your spirits high.

That's great news, Mod! Keep fighting for your freedom, this is better than I expected to hear considering how serious the situation was. Jobs are definitely not thick on the ground but you're talented and experienced on several things and there are some weird (but possibly good) opportunities out there. Best wishes from here!

Go Moderan! By Halloween? Yeah, you can kick the hose by then, easily.

Kick the hose, now that's not a phrase I've heard before. If it can be done, you will do it Mod. You never cease to amaze with your spirit. And cabin fever on steroids...I can only imagine.

Maybe not get job...I dunno. If Denise renews her nursing license, I'll become househusband and take care of the cats and rabbits and numerous birds (we have 17 now), clean house, make food, etc. I'ma go to school instead. The best-case scenario is that we save enough money to open a restaurant once we move out to California (she no likes Tucson and I don't want to leave the west).
Thanks you all for the kind words, putting up with me, und so weiter.

Good to see you havent lost your sense of humour Mod. I have to say, having to leave a job in tech support turned out to be a very positive thing for me. May it be equally good for you!

I'm so glad to hear that you're continuing to improve, Mod. Upward and onward, as they say (whoever they are).

LOL...thanks, Hawke--at least it isn't up and out (as W. Burroughs would have it) cuz that would be illegal. I'm trying to spend an hour (at least) daily without the chalupa. I still de-sat (my blood oxygen level drops), but not as precipitously as previously. A person with healthy lung tissue should not have a saturation below 90, even after strenuous exercise. After exercise I drop to the high-to-mid-80s. I'm getting there.
Nacian, it isn't writing that keeps my spirits up, it's cooking. Though I'm doing more writing these days, the de-satting process is exhausting and messes with that portion of memory that is blood-borne. There are times when it's hard to concentrate, in other words.
Jane, thanks much for your kind words.