Home on the range.

[2greys]

A visit to see the GP yesterday for various reasons. First was the instruction on my hospital discharge papers to see the GP for a follow up on the Pneumonia, which turned out okay.

I had also caught a viral cold over the weekend which of course went straight down onto my chest resulting in a lot of violent coughing, so violent and painful, the contractions actually came through my stomach wall producing large external bruising on either side. I had mainly got over it by the time I saw the GP, but of course my breathing had been affected. More steroids prescribed, a tapering off course this time. No Antibiotics, because it was a viral infection not a bacterial one.

Whilst there I also asked for a new Handihaler, for my Spiriva, and a new spacer.

I have always had the large Volumatic spacer. This time I received one of the small Aero Chamber, "handbag sized" ones, does this leave me having to search for a handbag? I also discovered it had a "mouth organ" built in, to help regulate the speed of your sucking. Undetered with gaining my brand new musical instrument, I laced up my chaps, put on my spurs, donned my hat, climbed up onto my horse and I could not play "Home On The Range" for the life of me, just a monotone, what a swizz

Have a great day all.

[knitter]

Hi , I have an aero chamber.......if it whistles i think it’s a warning that you are not using it correctly. Did you have to demonstrate using it first.

Sorry about the viral cold.....it’s doing the rounds, I was given more steroids as well as cough got worse.

Sending get well soon wishes.

[2greys in reply to knitter]

No I did not need to demonstrate how to use it. I was taught years ago how to use a spacer correctly at PR and have never forgotten and is now habit. Whilst in hospital a COPD nurse came to visit and tested my inhaler use techniques and passed that with flying colours.

Then trying to sell me on the idea of changing my inhalers from what really works well for me to some thing totally unknown and does not contain my prescribed level of corticosteroids ie not suited to me. She then went on to muttering that I was a liar and could not possibly work full time with my condition, all because I turned down another PR course that I did not really need because I work thus making the place available to someone who really needed it. Neither do I need the education part. Some youngsters have a lot to learn themselves, mainly not stereotype people as it can and does cause offense.

[Oshgosh in reply to 2greys]

Think she Beas being unprofessional if she called you a liar. Stereotyping stinks!

[2greys in reply to Oshgosh]

But I also realise that all the NHS staff are under pressure, which is why I will not complain, the COPD teams must be under undue pressure because apparently Southampton is a hot bed for COPD. I wonder if there is a coloration with the high levels of pollution here? We are on our third day running, at moderate levels.

[Gingerapple]

😁👍I'm glad to hear the pneumonia has gone, anyway, I was wondering about that whilst you were on the boat. Have a great day, if you can💐🌻☀️

[2greys in reply to Gingerapple]

I am having a great day so far and looking forward to going back to work next week, being occupied and useful once more, even if it is a phased return with a few days of part time to start off with. The holiday went great and really it did both Sharon and myself a power of good. It also refreshed our son's sailing skills, acting as skipper, which will give him the confidence to hire a yacht on his own, with his own crew, in future years. Which is a win win all around. I hope yours is a great day too.

[Oshgosh]

Perhaps your repertoire will increase with practice.

Seriously,look after yourself,a bit of vitamin C might help

[2greys in reply to Oshgosh]

I do get plenty of vit C my diet contains a lot of fresh fruit. I also drink my substitute for grapefruit juice which I love but not allowed to have any more, that is a splash of Ribena, half a pint of tonic water topped up to a pint with water.

In a pub, for a meal, I will very often drink fresh OJ with tonic water before having a pint or two, very refreshing after getting a dry mouth from walking there. On the holiday, that unusually mix was often remembered by the bar staff and never I needed to ask for it again. It tastes a little like Tango but without all the nasty chemicals

[Bkin]

Ha ha that was so funny 2 greys the new musical instrument I first was offered the volumatic spacer but sent it back saying it takes up too much room in my flat which is really tiny and would have meant my having to buy yet another tier of draws to accommodate it so I've been using the aero chamber from the start, much better portability

Hope you are recovering well from the viral infection and pneumonia, keep on practising on the new musical instrument, if that fails try the kalimba, I'm still plucking away on it getting half a tune now

[sassy59]

There’s a nasty cold doing the rounds here so I’m hoping Pete doesn’t get it. Our little grandsons been poorly with it.

I hope you find your handbag to go with your aero chamber. Lol. Have another try at playing Home on the Range too. Yee ha!

Take care and feel better. Xxxx

[Osha]

Ha 2 greys. It’s good to see the funny side. You made me laugh anyway

[SquirrelsHolt]

One thing for sure, is that not only do you and Sharon make an excellent team,but your recent holiday re-enforced your belief in your son being more than capable of taking the "helm"(i've probably used the wrong word😵) and you could plan further sailing adventures for you all.⛵Apart from that, your recovery from pneumonia was really quick but the extreme coughing fits you've described,sound just dreadful. Glad you went to your GP. Typical ending to my post to you is one of go easy on your return to work😜.

[2greys in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Ahh, you have realised just why that holiday was so important to me. My son has Asperger's and only left home 3 years ago, to stand on his own two feet and we have not really seen much of him in that time. He has matured remarkably well, and have seen that he has started to interact with other people socially, even if awkwardly at times (to be expected). He has remembered all his sailing tuition and handles a yacht with impressive skill. I now have a lot less worries about him now, he will make it through life just fine.

Now thinking of plans for next year with my whole family this time for the summer, back sailing on The Broads again, health permitting.

P.S. Taking the helm is the correct term

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to 2greys]

Thats all great news to read my friend. I hope you dont mind but im quite chuffed to bits that i got "helm" correct as being a landlover, i thought it would make you start coughing again if I'd of got it wrong!😂

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

P.S. 2greys A very quick post to say on ITV This Morning is featuring a boy with CF , as in your recent post and the drugs now available to him and other CF sufferers on the NHS. Thought you may like to watch it - it'll only be a short item.😍

[skischool]

I also have the Aero -chamber device and did notice the wheezing whistling sound and realised no i wasn't using the device incorrectly as i can reproduce that noise without the device just by breathing out so maybe i have a new career ahead of me.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to skischool]

I have one too. We could start an orchestra. Though a rather monotone one. 😁

2greys I'm glad to know you're recovering ok, wishing you well to get back to work next week 👍

[MoyB]

I can't play tunes on my Aero Spacer either - it really is a let down! Hope you feel better soon and hope you get no more severe coughing bouts. At least you are free of the pneumonia now, so that's something. xx Moy

[Shirleyj]

Hope you get over your virus quickly, take care x

[Izb1]

Lets hope you manage to shake of that cough as quickly as you did the pneumonia 2greys, you must be doing all the right things for your body. What a cheeky nurse to all you a liar. Take care x