by 02kar Moderator 07 Apr 2021

I thought I would give my Cute family an update on how I am doing. And I can say that I finally feel better. I'm able to do about 15 minutes of keeping up with the kitchen before having to rest. And my handsome hubby is still doing the shopping and cooking. I I have been able to leave the house with oxygen for short periods of time to visit friends or medical appointments. So progress is noted. I still have months of healing to look forward to and a bunch of medical visits with a pulmonologist. I had an echocardiogram yesterday and hope it was normal. I'll know the results soon enough.


Yes, I still get out of breath quickly, yes, I still tire quickly, but my oxygen level is doing better , my stamina is slowly improving and life is lots better than it was when I first came home from the hospital.

I am looking forward to being able to stitch again. What is holding me back now is knowing the lint produced when stitching and fear of it getting into my lungs. I'm working hard to keep the air I breathe as clean as possible. And the high pollen count from the blooming of trees and now bushes taught me to be wary of anything that can get into my lungs and cause problems.

I know I could wear a mask but the mask makes it more difficult to breathe and causes me to be dizzy. So to wear a mask I have to use oxygen. I suppose I can do that, but I feel like I am only supposed to use it when I go to a medical appointment and to sleep. Feel free to tell me it is Ok to use the oxygen and why. Maybe I'm just being too honest, especially since the machine I use pulls the oxygen out of the air.

168881

by pennifold 04 May 2021

Hi Karen, still praying for you and I know that you are healing day by day. I'm sorry I missed this post from 27 days ago. I don't always get on here and am so sorry when I've missed someone's post. So happy to read that your lungs are getting more oxygen. Is there some form of machine that can purify your sewing area and remove the lint issue. I see Betsey (graceanham) has a machine that does something similar.
May our Lord of all healing keep you free from anything that blocks your ability to breathe freely. God bless you and please send my thanks also to your handsome hubby for looking after you so well. Love Chris

234247
by arisann 04 May 2021

May The Lord keep blessing you, prayers...

7606
by jrob Moderator 04 May 2021

Sweet Karen, I just can't wait a full month, but 26 days would almost count were it February. How are you progressing? I remember you in my prayers and know that you have faith that you will soon be back to over doing things. :)
I know how thankful you are for your hubby and I am too. That he is taking such good care of you. I'm sure he has all of the doctor's notes as to how long you should be off the oxygen and how long to be on it.
Sending big hugs to you!
Love, Jerrilyn

158548
by stork 08 Apr 2021

It is going to be a slow process, but so happy to hear that you are progressing!!! Happy thoughts and prayers coming your way. God Bless

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Yes, it is slow so I use a month t measure progress. Thank you so much for the happy thoughts and prayers. I have to admit, I still depend on prayers.

20075
by airyfairy 08 Apr 2021

Such fantastic news. Sending you cyber hugs dear Karen.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks and hugs coming your way too.

252562
by sharonleekesner 08 Apr 2021

This is the best news and thank you for keeping us updated. Many times we pray for people and never know the outcome and it is so wonderful to hear good news. Keep your faith and your strength up. God Bless you.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thank you and I am so very blessed.

5176
by hightechgrammy 07 Apr 2021

Karen, I'm just so relieved you are recovering. That was awful - we nearly LOST YOU!!! Praise the Lord you are getting well!

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

You are so right about nearly losing me, but I spoke to God many times a day and I had so many wonderful people praying for me and God was gracious to pull me away from satan's clutches. So I am grateful for the progress I have made, but I admit I get impatient and want to be back to doing everything. So Thanks for all you have done to support my journey and hugs to you.

59592
by dragonflyer 07 Apr 2021

So glad you are in the recovery stages and feeling better... Listen to your body and follow that lead...No one knows better than you how you feel. Continue on your path of recovery.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Life is so much better now, but I am so impatient to be back to normal. I promise I will not do anything to risk my recovery.

313214
by dailylaundry 07 Apr 2021

So happy to know that each day you are feeling better. Please continue to do exacting what the doctor suggests! Loads of hugs to you and your handsome hubby! Laura

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

I am doing my best to be a good patient. Honest. And yes, I do a lot of resting, much more resting than doing. I can't be a bad patient, My handsome hubby and the visiting nurse who checks on me do a good job keeping me in line. Hugs back to you and are you in FL yet?

95129
by loriziegler 07 Apr 2021

Feel better soon! I am so glad that you are improving!

2 comments
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks. It's a long road I have to travel still but I have come a long way in 2 months.

loriziegler by loriziegler 08 Apr 2021

You have been working hard and it will pay off! Thank you for always being so welcoming to me it really means a lot! You are in my prayers!

2313
by noah 07 Apr 2021

Praise God For A Great/Good report hugsxx

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks and I hope your beloved geese are making their way back safely to their home. And hugs back to you

360344
by graceandham 07 Apr 2021

Hi Karen, so glad for the update. I have asthma and keep an electrostatic room sized air cleaner in my sewing room, which I run at my feet as I sew and for about an hour after I stitch. I hardly ever dust in there any more! My unit was originally about $130 but I got it discontinued on half price. It has been working 12 years so far! Also, and this is hard to hear, slow your machine speed down to create less lint! Best wishes, B.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

My asthma is what put me in the hospital with pneumonia and Acute Respiratory, Distress Syndrome which almost killed me. Thanks for sharing your tricks to keep your sewing room healthy. That is what I needed to know. So hugs to you and a huge thanks.

66478
by grammaheh1 07 Apr 2021

So glad to hear that you are getting better and hope that you get better faster with everyday.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thank you. It's a long road but day by day I am getting closer to being healed.

1824
by crafter2243 Moderator 07 Apr 2021

I am glad you feel better. You wear and do what makes you feel comfortable. I have a friend that is so determined to get better she pushes the time she is off oxygen. I am not sure if this thee best way. The brain needs oxygen and I really believe that body tells you. You are still in my prayers to get better. Hugs

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Angie, your friend sounds just like me. I refuse to sit and do nothing because I know I cannot get stronger living like that. And I am getting stronger by the week and month. Thanks for the prayers. I admit I still need them. I hope things are going well with you and Cocoa. He is such a sweet dog in spite of his love of your completed projects.

109748
by lildoll2 07 Apr 2021

hi this is doris, my 35 yearold son went into hospital with lung problems, he now has to use oxygen to sleep no mask , just the tubes in his nose, if he has a breathing problem, he uses the tubes until he feels better,his is also the air machine, it heats up his bedroom at night, he keeps a window open that helps, please use your oxygen whenever you need it , its your ''LIFE'' not anyone elses, god bless you xoxo DORIS

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks Doris. I also use a canula to breathe with the machine. I am so very blessed because I survived. And I could feel God's presence in my hospital room. I hope your son is doing better.

2551
by pennyhal2 07 Apr 2021

It is so annoying when you want to do something, but you can't. Hopefully, it won't be long when you can go back to stitching.

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks. I keep doing my best to do a little more every week. I keep trying to increase my stamina.

33640
by toogie 07 Apr 2021

All I know is to use the oxygen if your count is below a certain number, according to what my sister was told. Your dr should be able to tell you better than anyone. You don’t want to struggle but also don’t want to become dependent on oxygen. Idk if that’s a possibility or not. Best to ask physician. It does take a while to recover but you are moving in the right direction.❤️ 🙏

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Yes, the number is below 90. And yes, we have a pulse ox and we check the number several times a day. It's interesting the new skills you get to learn. hehe BTW, how is your sister doing? She has had a very difficult time of it.

108947
by gerryvb 07 Apr 2021

Karen, thank you for the update. it's wonderful you are slowly improving even if it's little by little; the improvement is going on. Take the time to recover, listen to your body and take it easy. you are in my prayers and step by step you will come there. Big hugs are coming your way ))))💕

1 comment
02kar by 02kar 08 Apr 2021

Thanks for the hugs. I need each and every one too.

739762