Hello 2 O2

It's been a while since I've added anything to the blog, but that's because things have been pretty routine. However, since we've been doing more active work outside this summer I've been bothered more by a shortness of breath than before. For example, we recently removed recycled rubber from the walkway between the patio and the back yard, rearranged/replaced stepping stones, and adding pea gravel between the stepping stones. I found that only a little effort made me very short of breath and fatigued, and I had to take frustratingly frequent breaks. When we went bird watching with friends, I typically did not try to walk with the others because of my shortness of breath. Even light exercise like cooking turned me into a certified “mouth breather.”

So when I went to see my oncologist prior to my latest round of chemo, I asked to be evaluated for supplemental oxygen. I took a walk with a nurse, and my pulse oxygen level quickly dropped to the point at which I qualified.

The oxygen equipment arrived that evening—a two-part unit that contained an oxygen concentrator and compressor, two large and two portable oxygen tanks, a sort of pack with a shoulder strap for carrying a portable tank, and several nasal cannulas.

I placed the oxygen concentrator downstairs in the finished part of the basement. The concentrator removes O2 from the air, and a tube attached to the concentrator provides me with oxygen when I'm working at the computer in the workroom, doing something at my workbench in the basement, or watching TV in the family room. The compressor is connected to the concentrator and used to fill the small oxygen tanks for use upstairs and outside.

It's been almost two weeks since I got the oxygen equipment, and my use of it is still evolving. When I requested the evaluation, my concern was to have oxygen while active—doing light exercise around the house, more strenuous activity outside, or while walking in the mountains. It turns out that I use it more while sitting quietly in the house reading, working on the computer, and watching TV. While I don't feel like I really need it at that time, my pulse oximeter shows that my O2 level is below the expected 94% level. While working in the garage, I wheeled one of the larger tanks out there and found that worked better than carrying around the portable tank although it was something of a hassle working like a diver at the end of a long tube, but I enjoyed not getting short of breath. I am interested in seeing how my use changes with experience.

It's good to have the oxygen, but disappointing to need it.