I Have Hesitated

To write anything on this health thread, to be honest It's like I'm admitting defeat to speak of my existing condition. But it is as it is. I barely got through my shower this morning. It's so hard. I was so out of breath
by the time I got the mat in the tub positioned where I wanted it and then I had to sit still trying to get a
breath and blow out the carbon dioxide out of my lungs so I could take in some oxygen. Geting air into your lungs with COPD as long as I have had it is no longer automatic when physically stressed. Neither is getting the phlegm out of my lungs. My medical people warn me this degree of shortness of breath lasting this long could bring on a heart attack or a busted blood vessel in my head but that's the way it is. I’m told I have no business trying to shower in my condition. I should have someone bathe me in bed. Ain’t that the pits. I do agree showering and washing by myself is no longer feasible. A slow steady deterioration so that I can only
sit in a chair and mostly be waited on. It’s the pits but I keep thinking of the alternative.

 

I know you must be miserable. Is there anyone you can trust to help with bathing? Embarrassing maybe but it is better than getting worse quicker. I have been fortunate with my own COPD, and hope it never gets worse. Please try and find someone to at least help you with this.

 

Yes I now have someone helping with anything we need, cleaning, cooking, personal help and care but I haven't broached the subject yetI nearly passed out twice in the showwr and was holding on for dear life to keep from falling out of the chair. I can no longer and shower bnecause of heVA has called me a mirlcle patient and are not surewhat to attribute it to. I've played harmonica for twelve or fifteen years and lung doctors have told me to keep doing what I'm doing. Cardiologist has said he thinks my harmonicas have contributed to lung and diaphragm exercise and have helped keep me going. I know without doubt they have helped tremendously.

Is your cold drgging you downanyway you c an tell or is it aeveral factors?

 

@Bill Boggs ..um if you mean the COPD..no I am fine. Lung doctor sees me once a year. He says not really copd but has to list that way. Regardless can not handle certain smells or smoke. Otherwise no real issues. You on the other hand must do something Quick...you may have other isdue going on. Please asap...

 

I'm sorry to hear you are having so many problems, Bill. Let your helper set everything up first and then help you into the chair.

Breathing in a shower is harder for anyone. So much humidity. How about a basin bath like we used to do on weekdays when I was a kid? Don't give up.

 

That's what I have been doing mid week when I'm up to it.. I think I've taken my last shower. My wife set everything in place. I just didn't have enough to do the job It doesn't do any good to turn up my oxygen, I can not process it.
I'm going to have to rethink the way I live. But no seeet. Things always work out.

 

Sorry you are having such difficulties, Bill. You definitely should get someone to assist you, if even just in the "set up" as Nancy suggested.

No need to hesitate to share things, either. It's cathartic to "put it out there" and get some discussion going. Seems we all face health issues at this time of life.

 

Gloria all my medical people are well aware my condition. There's not much much can be done. I'm wearing
out. Had three heart attacks, lungs shot. Heart is not pumping enough blood (and oxygen) when I stand or walk.
I'm at risk of another heart attack .or stroke by my lack of oxygen weak heart. I'm good propped up in bed,
sitting in a chair. I can read or sit at my desk and type. I still try to roll my wheel chair in the kitching, wash the dishes, I can lean against the cabinet until I get lighted then I have to sit. Doing the dishes is not much but it helps my wift a tiny bit. She doesn't see well due to two eye diseases.

I enjoy typing and writing. I used to send out weekly emails to friends around Texas but friends have died. I'm
hoping to help Nancy a wee bit to play a harmonica and I sit around and write about things since I have no one to talk to and of course, I'm on here, Seniors only a bit. I know you didn't want a long winded discource. What's the saying? Never asked anyone how they're doing; they might just tell and like me take all day. Apologies. .Thanks for your concern. bill.

 

@Bill Boggs

Think rather of the many alternatives possible before THAT one.......I, too, desperately want to continue living by my old schedule, but am slowly admitting to myself that such is foolishness: Fortunately it's not breathlessness but rather dizziness which intrudes.

Yesterday, with a strong wind blowing, I found the trash barrel overturned on our patio, righted it, and a quick gust thrust it back at me and the dizziness caused me to fall with it, fortunately only to my knees, and right next to a lounge chair, on which I could raise myself up. Failing in that, I would have had to await my wife checking on my prolonged absence. The experience caused a ripped open forearm, skinned knees, and BOTH mental and physical pain. I am evaluating the former.

Because two thin rubber tubes are protruding from my chest, I have feared taking a shower, something I formerly did every single day, lest I get bacteria into my bloodstream. Sure miss those showers, it's been 15 months now.......

Frank

 

{{{{{Bill}}}}}

 

@Bill Boggs ..no need for apology Bill. We all are concerned for you and only wish to help. @Frank Sanoica read Yvonnes post see if her suggestion can help you shower. We all are trying to adjust to what we no longer can do. Huggs to you both. Keep us posted.

 

I have both. I mean I can hang it and shower or hold it inm hand. What I try to do to wet myself down, then soap
myselp, then rinse off, and get out. That’s always the plan. Today I gt in, wet myself down and was a littleout of breath, although wearing ovygen. Got the shampoo, started washing my head, but l could hardly hold my arms and hands up. I had to stop and rest. By the time l crawled out of the tub all I could do is make it to the bed, I was so weak and out of breath. I was unable to get up and take care of myself for thirty minutes. It is hard to believe, I know but it happens several time daily. Hard to believe, I know. The only thing that would, they say, is a lung transplant, but I’m too old. With my now mentality, I wouldn’t take one. if younger. Transplants have their own set of
problems and don’t extend life that long. I have deteriorated much this year. Thanks.