joyce / leanne

[Guest guest]

regarding the tv show, if it was the actress who wasn't keen on being

used to promote o2 use, i can totally understand as the press would

have been full of comments about her smoking. it would take a very

brave person to use their illness at end stage for the cause. i often

wondered if marlon brando was on o2 for a while before he died.

imagine if he had walked about with o2 on. i think the soap programme

makers would have been more keen but i'll never know.

regarding the exercise class, the uk is just not that used to seeing

people with oxygen and nobody has even heard of pf. my doctor has 3

patients and i swear he doesn't really understand it himself. i will

win the battle regarding o2 in the 'supervised gym class' but at the

moment i still haven't went out with o2 yet myself so am happy to find

reasons not to take that next step. my consultant said she had sourced

the smallest bottles but the tanks they gave me are 21inchs long and

seem too big to carry. ive bought a small suitcase thing for it but it

sits looking at me. i am still borderline for walking about so i am

able to block it out for a while.

however, i am putting on the o2 at home when doing anything strenuous

and my exercises. i have a mini gym in my lounge and i am getting a

new fancy piece of equipment next tuesday. its a vibro gym thingy. it

vibrates and gives you a full work out in ten minutes. you just stand

on it. andy and i ordered it on new year's eve while we were a bit

tiddly. it costs 135 pounds in the sale and my sister got one for her

xmas so we have tried it. its meant to help with bone density too.

when i am truly needing to take o2 then i want a portable

concentrator. i think i can get one second hand but know i dont

understand yet what one will be the best buy. i think from listening

to y'all that most are pulse and only go to 5litres.

the uk is good for emergencies but not so good at chronic illnesses

which is probably true of everywhere. they are trying hard. our nhs

means we can't jump from doctor to hospital we have to go to within the

relevant health board. however we have home care for our sick,

disabled and elderly. for instance my mum has a home care coming in

twice a day - 9am and 4pm to give her something to eat and take her

tablets whereas my motherinlaw who had a stroke has one three times a

day and one of these people help her shower and wash her hair. in

scotland we dont pay anything or only a small proportion and it has

enabled lots of women with school age children find jobs that suit

them.

joyce, i agree with what you said about when you were 12 years

younger. being a surprise to people because of your age i think helps

these medical people to treat you a bit better than they would

normally. i also find that if you go to appointments anywhere in a

smart jacket or suit rather than trainers and jeans they treat you

better too.

may uip 0606

glasgow, scotland