Thursday, November 16, 2006

My physio came round this morning for my weekly checkup. Generally I can tell how the appointment is going to go before it even begins, predominantly because I inflict my self-diagnoses on them and they are so polite they usually go along with it. It was fairly normal in most respects; we gossiped far too much and then managed to steer the conversation towards lungs and their antics, but my opinion that “yes I am great thanks doing really well” slightly varied from hers. As she (quite rightly) pointed out my lungs are still bubbling and crackling a fair bit more than usual, in fact quite significantly so. I must have subconsciously chosen not to notice this and instead have been focusing on how much better I feel now I am not full of head cold. My comprehensive and substantial defense was “but I feel fine” and after a quick consult with the doctor we decided to wait and see how things are after the weekend. Still I am feeling nice and perky, and it’s so reassuring that the hospital are keeping such a close eye on me, not to mention the therapeutic benefits of a good catch-up and gossip, so all in all a very positive checkup I feel.

I am currently terribly over excited, not because of a big money win/new extravagant purchase or anything else others would find mildly thrilling, but because it looks like the oxygen situation might be about to improve. I have had one or two people mention to me the possibility of using liquid oxygen. These are apparently not only much smaller cylinders, but last much longer than the big gas ones I currently get. This afternoon I spoke to a nice lady at the Oxygen company who explained more about this liquid oxygen and agreed that I should qualify due to how much O2 I need (they seem to be quite strict as to who can have it as they have limited equipment at present). Apparently one of these liquid O2 cylinders could last up to 10 hours on a 2litre flow rate. Not only that but you keep a big tank in your house and then refill the cylinder as required.

At present, I have to use the cylinders as sparsely as possible to make them last, so I use them in the car to travel to somewhere like my parents house, then plug in my concentrator when we get there. The NHS are strangely unable to provide me with a team of men to accompany me wherever I go, carrying my equipment around for me, so A gets me settled then goes to and fro unloading and setting up everything. Having the freedom of being able to leave the house, a source of electricity and my concentrator for even 5 consecutive hours is just too exciting to contemplate and makes me scrunch my toes up with glee. My friend (who will hopefully start using it soon too) and I were chatting eagerly about the prospect of it when it occurred to me how that we may be the only people in the whole of Britain who have today had their days been made by oxygen.

Good god my bank balance is going to regret this.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Am confused (nothing new there) or maybe I'm just extremely stupid, but do you have to pay for liquid oxygen??

It does sound very cool and I can see why you are tres excited. Sorry to hear you're bubbling and crackling a bit too much, hope things settle down with this great news - I've just bought my first tub of sweetiebobbles, probably ever (well definitely since I've known their proper name) and now all I have to worry about is what to put them on...custard, rice pudding, ice cream, Angel Delight, chocolate mousse....umm am licking my lips already ;) xxx

Anonymous said...

I bubble and crackle with delight at your liquid O2 discovery. Hope it all works out. I am a non cfer, but have used massive amounts of oxygen while in and recooping from 15 surgeries for spina bifida. I never did question how much oxygen I used, even though I like nerdy knowledge like that. Guess it's not so nerdy in your situation, though. That was an enlightening post.

My tummy is bubbling and cracking. Must...get...pizza...or...spaghetti!

Anonymous said...

Emily - I know exactly how you feel with regards to the oxygen, I am in a very similar situation to you and have been let down by the previous oxygen company. Two pieces of advise would be to get you GP to write out another hoof (I think that is what they are called) form for a second concentrator at your parents - much easier all round and ask about using a conserver with your cylinders (if that is suitable for you) as this makes the cylinders last three times as long ... good luck with the liquid oxygen though.

Anonymous said...

You know, girl, you really help the rest of us get things into perspective...if the highlight of your life right now is having access to liquid oxygen we shouldn't hanker too much after silly unnecessary things. Just had a test to see if a small op was necessary; repeated my mantra before and during "exam results are excellent, everything working perfectly" and it worked. No need for surgery, false alarm. Try it before each test, it takes away the anxiety.Here's hoping you get everything you need soon to allow you a fully and healthy life.....Have a great weekend. Love, Jant

Tinypoppet said...

Sorry Ms Simba, wasn't v clear there...liquid O2 would be on the NHS (yay!) - bank balance is going to be miffed due to sudden improved ability to access shops. Time for a new wardrobe surely...

Anonymous said...

perhaps it is time to purchase something pink and delightful to go with the shoes of dreams? (they were the shoes of joy but on studying the pic again i decided we had to promote them) great news about the o2, straight to argos with you to study THE LAMINATED BOOK OF DREAMS. or rather, h&m. why don't they publish something similar?!xxx

Jac said...

Woo to liquid oxygen. It sounds all space age and cutting edge. Nothing but the best eh?! I hope it allows some more time out and about..maybe just in time for some xmas shopping :-)

Take care and don't let the chest rattle on too long..

Higs
jac xx

Anonymous said...

Hey Em
Just wanted to say that I love reading your blog!! It's always so incredibly funny, clever and thought provoking. It has been firmly placed in my favourites. Yay for the liquid oxygen! Hope lungs and all accessories are all behaving well
Ttfn & take care
xxx

Anonymous said...

yay for liquid o2! Its so cool! If you have any questions on it poppet you know where I am (not that I haven't already talked you to death about it!). Fingers crossed you get it as it makes a real difference.

hugs

Rachy xxx

Anonymous said...

Hehe first part amused me as it reminded me of the "Emily?oh she's fine" complex we were talking about the other day :p

love you

xxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Heyhey,
good to read you can probably have the liquid o2, i wanted that too. But couldn't because they couldn't bring it to our island. It's so much easier. You can just fill the small cilinders when you need them. I would ask for 2 or maybe 3 small ones if i were you. So you can fill extra and take them with you. The liquid tanks are much easier to carry too, not as heavy as the gas bombs.

misdee said...

oooooooooo liquid O2, that sounds good.

i much prefer gas and air myself, and peter loves his leccy, small things to make the world go round.......

Anonymous said...

Ok I am going to be the really thick one and ask how the hell LIQUID oxygen works??!! I am having flashbacks to the film The Abyss with a man called Virgil having to use it when he gets plummeted millions of feet the bottom of the ocean to switch off a nuke. Surely the scenario in question can't be THAT kind of "liquid oxygen" can it??! (Obviously with less of the ocean, weaponry and friendly butterfly-like aliens involved.. )

Can someone explain??

Anonymous said...

Ahh ;) :) That's what I call a very good reason for a sudden decline in said bank balance.

Not sure about the workings of liquid oxygen but I thought it was the same as that cool flavoured stuff there was a craze for in bars a few years ago. Probably wrong, again tho x