Yep this is another insertion of my COPD Travels as I share a briefing of just where Lenny (the name I have given my COPD/Asthma) and I may be for today.
I write these as part of my therapy for dealing with my own battle with COPD and Asthma, the lung diseases that have put me into the category of being disabled and unable to hold most jobs because of my inability to do anything real physical for more than maybe 10 minutes before having to stop and rest because of breathing difficulties and/or a major drop in oxygen levels.
I write because maybe, just maybe whatever I bang out of the keyboard will hopefully hit a chord with someone, somewhere – that is my responsibility, to talk about and share my travels with COPD/Asthma so that even one or two others may read what I share and realize they are not alone.
So today I once again share where I am at and maybe how I may or may not be dealing with life and my own COPD/Asthma Travels.
We did it – Lenny and I made a road trip, and I’m not talking about just an overnight jaunt to someplace that isn’t more than a few hours from home, but a trip involving a 12-plus hour drive time to get to and from the place of destination.
Since my massive heart attack and diagnosis of late Stage III COPD, I have made but one trip that was more than five hours from home and for more than one night overnight – until this past weekend.
For my 60th birthday, my wonderful wife/caretaker decided it was time to get back to the family cottage in the Black Hills of South Dakota, so that is exactly what we did.
We took to the road on Thursday afternoon, my birthday, and traveled nine hours before getting some sleep in a motel in the tiny Nebraska cowboy town of Chadron.
After getting a few hours’ sleep (and I do mean just a few) we finished the last two hours of our trek in the early dawn of Friday, leaving us just right at about 48-hours to enjoy the visit.
When the 48-hours of family time, sightseeing time and relaxation time, we headed home on a 12-plus hour drive back to the wonders of hot Kansas.
Now my not traveling, especially for more than just an up-and-back or short overnight has a lot to do with the need to haul a nebulizer and c-pap machine, plus all my meds and an awareness of my surroundings to make sure I limit the amount of triggers that I may cross paths with that could upset my traveling companion Lenny.
As it turned out, the machines were really the least of my problem as I find that a small rise in elevation (as compared to places like Denver) can and did keep me battling SoB (short of breath) when I tried to do even the simpliest task of bringing in my bags and machines from the car to the cottage. And yes that was very frustrating.
But beyond the frustration and a couple of brief battles with Lenny – we did it, Lenny and I survived the trip and did it with such satisfaction that my wife and I are planning for a return trip next summer and for a longer stay if possible.
So what I brought home from this weekend of time in what I call near to God’s country, was the realization that I can travel and having the extra machines to pack, unpack and pack again can be worked through and with relaxation from the normal routine is so worth the effort.
For others, I say that even when your fear is daunting and holds a bit of reality – you still have to battle through them and give it a try if it means your life will be full once again despite your battle with COPD/Asthma.
And that my friends says where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.
*** PLEASE CONTINUE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR KAYCIE CHAPMAN ***
As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.
Remember – a person without breathing is a person without life itself.
I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.
(Copyright@2016, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)
NOTE TO REMEMBER: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.
DISABILITIES DAILY 
So glad that you were able to travel. Are you using a cart / trolly to help get the bags and such in and out of the house? Not having to hold the weight of the bags while trying to move may make a big deal of difference in the quality of your breathing.
Also, do you use pursed lip breathing? (Deep inhale (maybe o a count of 3-4) and then pursed lip exhale (maybe to a count of 9-12)?
Today was pretty miserable for me being both tired and having to get things done, and I will say that using the pursed lip breathing method makes a huge deal of difference (as well as stopping, if I find I’m holding my breath vs breathing normally).
Glad you were able to enjoy yourself.