CONQUERING A RETURN TO BEING IN THE PUBLIC

By Mr. William

“A person without good breathing, is a person with a life of constant caution, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.” (Will Dursens)

Yesterday I took a huge step forward, or so I think I did.

For the first time since March 8th, I went out into the public world for something besides a medical appointment or to get our puppy Frosty Lou a grooming done.

In fact, I stepped out of the house for something other than a medical appointment TWICE yesterday – and I seemed to have survived.

The first place I ventured out to was to the local post office so that I could mail some items to family members. Yes, my wife could’ve done it, but I finally took some time in the morning to relax and meditate and told my wife it was my time to finally do it, get out of the house and go into some other building beyond a doctor’s office or a hospital.

And yes, for those who may have thought I would forget – I WORE A MASK. In fact, I wore a mask that read ‘The Trick is to Breath’ with both a COPD Awareness and Asthma Awareness ribbon on it.

{“The Trick is to Keep Breathing’ Face Mask with COPD and Asthma Awareness Ribbons}

I let my wife drive so I had one less thing to worry about and she and our puppy Frosty Lou waited for me in the car.

While the counter person in the post office did not wear a mask, I felt good because beyond my own mask there was a sizable plastic window at the front of the counter to keep us separated. I heard at least a couple of customers come and go after checking their post office boxes and when I turned to leave after finishing my business there was a young lady waiting behind the line marked on the floor, with a mask on.

So, the trip to the post office was a success and has eased my mind a bunch about going outside of the house.

After we had some dinner, I ventured out once again as I realized I needed to vote in our state primary.

So once again, I grabbed my hat, keys, and a FACE MASK to venture out to the voting booth. This time with my other mask, the one that again says ‘The Trick is to Keep Breathing Mask’ with a COPD Awareness ribbon.

{‘The Trick is to Keep Breathing’ with a COPD Awareness Ribbon}

How was the double trip out in one day, in all honesty it felt pretty darn good since just two weeks ago I was in the hospital for a short stay due to an exacerbation.

The big question is – did this give me the confidence to go out into the public again.

Probably not immediately and especially do not find myself feeling ready to go to like a Wal-Mart or something, which means for now any trip for groceries may have to be by my wife, a later I am so very grateful for.

I do think maybe I will find myself up to getting out and taking our puppy, Frosty Lou, to the park. And maybe, just maybe stop to see a friend of mine who I know will wear a mask in her own house if it is for me.

While I know that stress can cause issues with my breathing, I continue to get stressed when I think of so many being arrogant for not wearing a mask and for those stores who refuse to follow the rules and mandates by letting folks not wear a mask, even when they have a MASK REQUIRED sign on the front doors of the place.

Now here is something which I know may irritate some, but I do not like the medical exception rule much because way too many folks will lie about how the mask causes issues with them.

Look, I have been a severe asthmatic since I was a kid and can remember, yet when I worked jobs that required a mask – I WORE THE DAMN MASK!! The only exception to that may have been when I was working in a factory during a summer period of 100-plus days with high humidity. After just so long I had to tear the mask off due to panic issues more than anything else as I would begin feeling like someone had their hand over my mouth and I was suffocating.

Yes, for me on these hot humid days of summer a mask does and will be irritating to myself and maybe my breathing. But you know what – for maybe up to 30 minutes (and the good Lord knows I don’t shop for more than that ever) I will even put up with the mask because I believe the scientists and medical folks.

I will put up wearing a mask because it will protect me and others from hopefully catching the virus and getting sick enough to feel a touch from heaven. If I were to find out that I may have made someone sick and they either came close or did die – I could not live with myself.

So, ‘Lenny & I 4 This Week’ took a big step by taking a not just one, but two trips outside our normal world of travel these days. ‘Lenny & I’ may just be ready to try a few more trips outside our comfort zone over the next few weeks, but time will tell and if the numbers don’t stop climbing in our area, then my thoughts about traveling out may come to a quick end in very quick fashion.

Oh, by the way, if you all liked those face masks then be sure to send me a message or comment and I will tell you where to get them.

For now – this is where Lenny and I are at for today.

A REMINDER – Do you have any comments or questions about my postings, then feel free to leave a comment on either at this blog, at the email address of wheezingaway@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/copdtravels/.

ALWAYS REMEMBER (because I have COPD and severe Asthma) – 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.

With that, I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2020, CrossDove Writers through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)

NOTES: 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 medical founded information.