02 & pups

[Guest guest]

and Beth,

I've always been told exactly same thing about

02 toxicity not being a problem with restrictive

lung disease. I'm not positive that applies at

lower flows, but definitely it's the case once you

get to my stage.

Also, recently there was a post about degree of

fibrosis, and someone said " you've either got it

or you don't. " But actually your lungs will show

on x-ray or CT more or less white area (where

there's fibrosis). The worse we get (the more

fibrotic tissue there is), the whiter and hazier

our x-rays look.

Irene (and maybe newbies to the world of oxygen),

Yep, oxygen saturation is the same thing as

oxygenation. Your " sats " or sat rate refers to your

02 saturation level in the blood, expressed as a

percentage. Most doctors want you to stay at or

above 90%. Mine regularly drop into the 70's. You

find out your sats with a pulse oximeter (yes, the

thingy you put your finger in).

They can also check your level of blood oxygen and

carbon dioxide by taking ABG's (arterial blood gases,

usually drawn from an artery in the wrist. This is

deeper than a vein, where you normally have blood

drawn.) Since this can hurt, you want to ask for a

respiratory technician (RT) to do it if you have the

option. My experience has ranged from no big deal

to hurts like crazy. Some people have the area

deadened with lidocaine, although I really don't get

how much that would help since you can't deaden

the artery that's getting stuck, only the surface. I

tend to think it's more in the technique of the person

doing the sticking.

Also, for those of you in pre-biopsy stage. I'm no

hero, but getting the chest tubes taken out after my

VATS wasn't that bad. But I had a very competent

and gentle person doing the job. I'd rather do that

than a NG tube any day.

Lou,

Because of the immense joy and comfort Misha gives

me, I say go with the pup! But you will need plenty

of help in caring for her, particularly as you progress.

I'm to the point that it's hard even to bend down to

put Misha's food bowl on the floor, so my caregiver

does it. I have another girl who comes three times a

day to walk her. Another friend has offered to take

her if I don't make it, which means the world to me.

But if you're missing that special dimension of your

life and can make it work, I say do it! I've never heard

of a Cavachon before but I'll bet they're darling.

Hugs,

Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas