Living through four decades of the quad life, I have learned a few things about lung health. One, I cannot continually go between warm and cold environments as my body can't take the rapid change. Second, I need to make sure I move regularly and not stay flat in bed for long periods. Both these lessons were learned by doing them and then ending up in the hospital with pneumonia. Unfortunately, I did both of these scenarios and added a third irritant just for good measure.
Sitting in a cabin to chat |
The weather in Indiana and Kentucky was wet, but nice temperature. We got caught in a couple down pours, but made it through. Just like in previous years, the buildings at camp were very well air-conditioned and visiting cabins was rapid adjustment. Our hotel rooms were frequently quite cold for my preference, with the air-conditioning nearly constantly running. Two scenarios are down, but one more came.
Wednesday and Thursday nights were in one hotel in Kentucky. Steve and I noted our first night that the AC sounded funny, but it worked. Thursday evening, I was in bed while my parents and I hung out until Steve had a nap. Even though it was on the opposite end of the room, it felt like the frozen air was pointed directly up my nose. After a while, my lungs started to feel sore with every breath. I asked dad to turn off the AC for a while and pull up the sheet, but it was too late. It wasn't long before I needed suctioned as well. Clearing out my lungs isn't unusual, but I normally need it 2-3 times a week. By the time morning came, I had already been suctioned seven times.
Ready to head home |
The routine of suctioning 6-10 times per day, and constantly turning me to help my lungs, continued over the weekend. A trip to the local ER on Saturday didn't produce answers, but an antibiotic was ordered just in case.
Monday morning, I called my supply company to order more sterile gloves and suction catheters. The 60+ tubes I had before leaving would normally cover more than a month, but they were dwindling rapidly and would soon run out. Late Tuesday afternoon, a box arrived from the company, but it didn't contain what I ordered. It wouldn't be until Friday when I finally got my order, but not all of it.
Thankfully, suctioning has decreased to 4-5 times a day, with occasional long stretches between. My lungs are sore, and I'm tired, but a second medication has started and will hopefully help. I likely won't ever know for certain what exactly set off this round of illness, but I need to pay better attention to lung health. It's unlikely I will be traveling again, but I'm thankful for the time away and the experiences enjoyed.