Since my stomach surgery, my lungs have been struggling. Really, for the past year or so they have been struggling. I added a second set of treatments a little over two years ago along with adding more treatments with each set. I've feel I've maxed myself out as far as treatments are concerned. Two sets a day, with working full time and taking care of the twins feels like my days are jam-packed. That's not including exercise time. I've been trying to think of what I can do to help. Obviously something has to give. I have to get my lung function up and am tired of feeling crummy 24/7.
I've really been thinking about my treatment times. I do my treatments sitting at my computer. I check my various email accounts, browse facebook, blog, balance my checkbook, etc. I noticed that while I'm doing all these things on the computer I am breathing shallow. I'm so focused on what I'm doing, that my breaths are shallow and I don't take breaks to cough. Treatment times often are something to be checked off my daily "To-Do" list and nothing more. I don't view them as the life-lengthening, critically important times that they are.
So.... I'm trying to change that. I try to focus on my breathing, taking long, deep breaths in and holding for a couple seconds every few breaths without making myself light-headed. I stop to cough when I need to instead of suppressing it for the end of the treatment. I take 5 minutes or so to go in the bathroom and cough all the stuff out that I just shook loose. It's kind of pointless to take these treatments, shake all this mucus loose and then let it sit and re-settle in my lungs. I make it a point to go stand over the toilet and cough/huff cough til I feel like there's nothing left to come up. The toilet is where I do my coughing, and as most CFers know, I often cough to the point of gagging and may lose some stomach contents in the process. Gross I know, but a reality. I've actually thought about videoing one of my coughing sessions and posting it. Most people who have never witnessed one think I'm dying when they hear/see it.
This is something that has been weighing on my mind for quite some time and I thought I'd share. I know other CFers have posted similar posts on their blogs, but I thought I'd share mine too.
For all you healthy folks, take the same concept and apply it to everything you do. Exercise, work, whatever it may be, make the most of everything! It makes life so much better and more enjoyable!
I don't know how you do it? Now that you're married with 2 babes, is there any possibility your work schedule can be reduced to 3 days/ week? Often companies will offer pro-rated income based on your full-time salary. Hope it can be an option for you-you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteI don't have CF but have had 3 kidney transplants & am in kidney failure again, and catastrophic skin cancer. Too much stress over prolonged periods often cause me complications & hospitalizations.
Good luck to you! Remember your health must be priority