Sunday, April 19, 2009

Using Oxygen Safely

Good day to everyone here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" Hope everyone is having a good day. I was surfing the internet looking for information of the usage of Oxygen therapy and found some interesting facts of which I have pasted below for your information. Trust this will enlighten you as well as it did me.

Oxygen is safe to use, in the right conditions. If you follow these guidelines, you will have a safe environment in which to use your oxygen.
Oxygen will not explode or burn, but it will cause things that are burning, to burn hotter and faster. Because of this, when storing or using your oxygen, you should keep it at least 10 feet from open flames, space heaters, large windows or any other source of heat.
If you are cooking while wearing oxygen, you can:
Secure the cannula over the ears and behind the head, instead of under the chin.
Secure the tubing to the side of your clothing with a large safety pin (making sure not to puncture the tubing). This will keep the tubing away from the heat source.
Never grease or oil oxygen equipment. Grease and oil are flammable materials, and are contained in hand lotions, hair lubricants and Vaseline. Aerosol sprays, such as hairspray are also flammable, and should not be used near oxygen equipment.
Do not permit smoking in the same room as your oxygen equipment. You can place a "No Smoking" sign on the door of your residence. You may be in a large room (such as a restaurant) where smoking is permitted, without being at risk.
Do not place your concentrator in a small area. The extra heat generated by your concentrator could damage the unit and/or other materials if placed in a small area. Be sure that the unit is well ventilated and protected from being knocked over.
Never use oil-based face creams, a hair dryer or an electric razor while using your oxygen. It is possible for the appliance to spark, causing the oxygen and face cream to ignite, resulting in burns on your face. Always use water-based cosmetics or creams.


Until we meet again my friends Remember,

Inhale~~~123

Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Friday, April 17, 2009

"Relay For Life"

Good Afternoon to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"

This weekend sets of the annual "Relay For Life " events everywhere for those you who are not aware of the meaning I have copy/pasted the meaning for your reading pleasure and when I say pleasure it is because of efforts of so many people who participated and brought a smile to someone else. Last year I did the walk and it gave me a very gratifiying feeling that I helped someone. For obvious reasons this year I am not able to participate but, in my heart I will be there.

History of Relay - Celebrating Hope
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.


Until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Monday, April 13, 2009

Stephacoculous (sp)Pneumonia

A heartfelt Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"
So much has happened since my last post that you would not believe !!

Apparently I picked up a cold from someone and for a few days I was ok being on antbiotics and taking it easy then bang ! and I mean BANG ! Sat. April 21st I was on my way to the emergency room..my o2 saturation levels were at 42 % no KIDDING ! my blood gas levels were at 85% Yupper I was a sick lady for an entire week in the hospital and lost about 10 pounds! that's a good thing but not to loose it that way lol ! My biggest gripe as I had said before be PRO ACTIVE in your care and your meds I went head to head with the nurses at the hospital cause they said the Pharmacist said I did not need certain meds ! Now you know I sure did not let that one rest and neither should anyone...speak your mind ! Do Not Let anyone tell you what your meds are and how you should take them.

The Strep Pneumonia has subsided right now and hopefully will stay that way as I always say it could be worse !
We have just celebrated Easter Sunday and remember that our Good Lord gave up his life for us and had risen and we celebrate in unison!


Until my next post my friends,

remember until we meet again,
Breathe Easy,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Sandy

Saturday, April 4, 2009

O2 24/7 Wow !

Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner of The World" well it's been a while since my last post and let me tell you what ride I have been on ! March 17th. Tues. my favorite Holiday, St. Patrick's Day I went to see my primary care Dr. cause I got a cold , well darn the DR. put me on antibiotics and also nebulizer every 4 hours ! Well each days seemed to get a little worse, well come Saturday the 21st. I was at the ER cause I could not breathe my chest felt like I was under water...dang what an awful feeling that was !
Well the ER person put me right on oxygen it seems my 02 levels dropped to about 88percent !

Then the Dr. and the nurses came in and started IV drips with an antibiotic and some sort of a steroid medication and of course i was admitted !

Now while I was in this "hospital" I had several issues with the nursing staff and dietary....
Seems that the "Pharmacist" at the hospital can tell you what melds you need to have and not need to have...soooooooo I questioned the nurse and asked to speak with the pharmacist in person, needless to say that never happened....my advice...as I have said before do not let anyone dictate what your meds are Speak Up some one will listen ! I know I did and someone did listen!

Now dietary...geez I was on a low salt, diabetic diet...why ? well due to the meds I was on "Salmedrol" (sp) it caused my blood sugar to elevate so therefore i had to receive "Insulin" to offset the sugar level...darn ! as far as the low salt well that's another story, seems the Pharmacist thought due to my meds I should be on a Heart healthy diet what was he thinking !?

Anyway I am home now with Oxygen 24/7 it will take some getting used to but, as I always say it could be worse ! My life has changed and I will need to adjust to such and take one day at a time.

So, until we meet again my friends,
Inhale~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy