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03/02/2008: "Traveling to Palm Springs"
This Wednesday through Saturday I will be in Palm Springs for the annual Computer Using Educator’s Conference. This is the organization’s 30-year anniversary during which I have been active for half of that time. I used to be a regular conference presenter, a board member and I still contribute to a column in their journal.
The way my oxygen dependency is going, this may be my last airplane trip. My oxygen provider is able to deliver a large plug-in concentrator and bottles to my hotel room much like they did for the Alaska cruise last summer. However, now I need to be on oxygen for the plane flight. Since oxygen bottles are not allowed on the plane, I will be renting a portable oxygen concentrator that runs on a rechargeable battery and is FAA approved. Unfortunately, United Airlines will not let me use it in-flight. They will however (for the about the price of the plane ticket) provide me with an oxygen flow from the plane. That is, if it is not a United Express flight. And that is the only one offered to Palm Springs. So with my refund, I looked into the Alaska Airways flight. They will let me use the concentrator in-flight for a fee of $50 and a doctor’s form on hand. I have also requested wheelchair assistance while in the airport. I am hoping it allows me and my traveling companions to skip past the security line.
I will be staying at the Wyndham Hotel that also houses the conference center. Besides having oxygen bottles, I have asked that the hotel provide me with a wheelchair during my stay. I know this sounds a little overkill but unfortunately it is necessary. As limiting as my lung capacity has been, I am afraid it is getting worse. Even with my portable bottle turned all the way up (6 liters per minute), I am having difficulty climbing a flight of stairs or even walking up a ramp. Pretty rough for a guy who used to compete in distance races.
I debated off and on for months about whether I could make this trip. I set the date as a health goal, something to shoot for and look forward to. I am even scheduled to present a couple of sessions. I have a lot of friends attending and Palm Springs is a great location for a get together. I skipped last year’s conference and barring a positive change in health; realize that this one could be my last. I am sure everyone will be gracious but these two years have taken its toll. I am down 30 pounds, have a rash that covers most of my face, wear an oxygen tube, will spend time in a wheelchair and my rapidly thinning hair is mostly gray. I’ve gone from looking young for my age to looking old for my age. So my goal will be to try and set that aside and enjoy the sunshine and camaraderie. Who knows when it will come again?