A bit of a breakthrough.

[fidgetandscooter]

Venturing out is something of a challenge. I have managed 3 times now to get to the little green at the bottom of my road. Each time I have left the oxygen at home. This morning however, a lady came out of her house as she had seen me stop to get my breath back and wanted to know if I was okay. We chatted for a while and then she insisted on walking with me for the 50 yards until I got home. We had to stop a couple of times. That was really kind of her.

On Thursday I was really adventurous. I wanted to go to vote. Our village hall is not far to walk to, about 8 minutes for a healthy person. It's uphill from where I live and I had been offered a lift. I declined this as I wanted to take Fidget with me. A friend walked with me. She held Fidget whilst I dragged my oxygen. It didn't seem heavy for the first few yards, but it felt like I was dragging a mini with the brakes on by the time we got to the hall. I voted, got my breath back, had a chat with people I haven't seen for months and then we walked home. At least it was downhill. In total it took 1 hour 40 minutes to walk there and back!! I intend to do it again on May 23rd.

The picture today is the two sides of handmade bookends. I cut the exterior shape out of birch ply and then pyrographed the design. Finally I used water colours covered with a light varnish and stuck them onto the bookends. This one of the series is Hey Diddle Diddle.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Well done you what an achievement of no matter how long it took. I love those bookends they are fantastic. You take care and look after yourself and keep walking you are doing great. 😊 Bernadette xx

[Kittykat2]

Brilliant well done on the voting too no matter how long it takes.

Love the book ends your very clever 👍🏻

[sassy59]

You certainly do well fas and I applaud you for your determination.

Love the bookends, very talented. Xxxx

[Lemon7]

You are not only talented, but also determined too. Well done getting to vote and seeing folk you hadn't seen for a while. Your neighbour sounds a caring person. Keep up the good work.

[Hidden]

Well done for voting take care love the book ends. X

[Corin1950]

Where there's a will there's a way. I admire your determination and hopefully it will be easier next time. Well done you.!

Corin

[Croydonia]

Well done on your trek., and those bookends are gorgeous. They remind me of my old fashioned childhood nursery rhyme books

[Whitechinchilla]

WELL DONE. Keep it up.Good wishes for continuing strength and fitness.

And how wonderful to have a relaxing hobby when you don’t feel like

a cross country run 😁

[Hacienda]

You are so Inspirational and Have Good Positivity, I admire you Hun. The walk without Oxygen is such a Brave thing to do. The Bookends are Lovely, Yes, I recited the Nursery Rhyme straight away. Don't let the "Voting" Exhaust You, They have all made us so Weary. Good Luck and carry on with your Superb Mission. xxxxx

[jmsutt73]

"Hey Diddle Diddle," you've such a gift! Love the bookends! I, too, am tempted to walk down the long driveway to my 'snail,' mailbox without using my oxygen, but since I have been told by Dr. that Pulmonary Hypertension happens overtime with insults (not wearing portable oxygen while walking), being cumulative, I force myself to wear the oxygen. All the best, J

[MoyB]

I applaud your determination! Well done for doing the walks. As for the bookends, they are beautiful. You are very talented. xx Moy

[watergazer]

Great achievement for you no matter the time involved. Lovely bookends. x

[Izb1]

So admire your determination getting to the hall to vote, well done you. Your bookends are great x

[SquirrelsHolt]

WOW!!!! Look at you😀You did so well. You know we will all be waiting to read about your next walkabout,so good to read that a member has overcome certain factors that had previously held them back. Loving the bookends too. Is this a hobby of yours as you sound very artistic?

[fidgetandscooter in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I have always worked as a self employed artist. It isn't always drawing, sometimes it's woodwork, although not now because of my lungs.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to fidgetandscooter]

How wonderful! I'm always very jealous of.anyone with a n artistic talent. It must be fabulous to be employed,doing the very same thing! Whenever you have the inclination,so think about posting some photos of the work you do......I'm certain lots of members would be interested. There are some very talented photographers,artists,rhymers and writers,miniature sized model makers,and needleworkers! (+many more,I'm sure).

[fidgetandscooter in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I think I've posted a picture on almost all of my posts. Most of them are my drawings, but there are one or two photos of Fidget.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to fidgetandscooter]

Silly me,of course you have! I previously commentated how good they were! Sorry....having a "senior moment"!!

[fidgetandscooter in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I have at least one of those every day!!!

[bluezysue]

Instead of using a trolley to carry your oxegen why not get a tri roller. I have found it so much easier. Pushing it like a shopping trolley helps open up your chest and help with breathing. I bought one with a deep bag and I would be lost without it now.

[fidgetandscooter in reply to bluezysue]

Ideally I need something that leaves me hands free. What I have at the moment is too heavy for me. I am hoping to have a new assessment very soon so that I can change over to liquid oxygen.

[Joy123 in reply to fidgetandscooter]

Hi, Why not ask for a portable concentrator? Me and my trusty little friend go everywhere together. We drive, do some light gardening and supermarket shopping etc. It's quite lightweight and easy to push/pull. It can be carried too but I prefer the trolley. I'm not sure if walking without oxygen when it's been prescribed is a good idea. It's prescribed to protect our organs although, have to admit, if I didn't have it 24/7 I wouldn't be able to do anything independently. The portable concentrator can be recharged in the car or at home (or from any electricity supply, I plug in in restaurants etc in order to conserve my battery). I find it much easier than the cylinders. Joy.

[fidgetandscooter in reply to Joy123]

My portable concentrator is still very bulky and heavy even though it is on wheels. I need something that will be light and hands free because of needing to walk the dog. The other portable one that I have is supposed to be a backpack but I can't even get it on. I have RA as well as COPD so my strength is almost nil at the moment. My GP is trying to sort it out for me.

[Joy123 in reply to fidgetandscooter]

Hands free? Must admit have often thought wouldn’t it be good if it was remote controlled and just trotted along beside me! Also, if the trolley had 4 flexible wheels like some suitcases it would be easier to manoeuvre. x

[fidgetandscooter in reply to Joy123]

I am hoping to go on to liquid oxygen as it is much lighter and can be worn as a shoulder bag. That way I will have my hands free to walk my beautiful boy. I also means that if I go in a shop without wheelchair, then I can walk better. x

[hallentine47]

You sound very brave to me and I thought I struggled!! I like the book ends, great fun. Take care and keeping trying you certainly have our thoughts with you.

[fidgetandscooter in reply to hallentine47]

I'm not brave at all. Because I live on my own, with the dog of course, I have to put on the brave face. There are days, like everyone else, when I can't face the world. Now the better weather is coming and I'm allowed to go out, I'm finding all sorts of things that I want to do. I know I can't do all of them, but I need to try if I can.

[Joy123 in reply to fidgetandscooter]

Sorry forgot to add, your bookends are lovely, you're very talented. Joy.

[Shirleyj]

So pleased your managing to get out, it's such an achievement x x

[fidgetandscooter in reply to Shirleyj]

It's difficult, but I get out when I can, even if it's to go to the green with Fidget. I really don't want to be beaten by this, at least not yet. xx

[Meg52]

Well done on getting out. I feel much brighter after seeing other people and having a chat. Even though talking is exhausting it helps my mind.

I love all the pictures you post. Xx

[FlossyF]

Well done. That is a brilliant achievement. Love the bookends. Liz x

[Ergendl]

Wow! what an achievement. And lovely book ends too. Hope you got the result you wanted.

[SparkySW123]

Congratulations! Hope you've given yourself a pat on the back? That's certainly an achievement. I'm with you all the way. Apart from severe COPD I also have brittle and allergic asthma and this latest pollen upsurge has prevented me from going out particularly without oxygen. You are inspirational as is your artwork! xx

[fidgetandscooter in reply to SparkySW123]

You'll make me blush if you're not careful. xx