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03/05/2008: "O2 Travel Concentrator"

The company that provides my oxygen at home was able to rent a portable oxygen concentrator for the flight to Palm Springs. As you can see by the picture, it is a small device that will fit under my seat (for landing and take off).

Besides oxygen tanks, I have an oxygen concentrator at home that plugs into the wall. This system can produce an oxygen flow about twice what the portable device can deliver. Concentrators work by pulling in regular air and passing it over zeolite material. This absorbs the nitrogen from the air and outputs air that is up to 90% oxygen. Mine at home runs a constant motor that can become annoying.

The portable concentrator can produce 5 liters/min, which should be fine for the flight. If I am sitting still, I am comfortable with about 3 or 4. If I am walking, climbing stairs or lifting, then I find myself gasping for air and need to push the rate closer to 7 or 8 liters/minute. That is why I placed a request for a wheelchair in the airport.

Now that everything is ready, I am excited about the trip. I have been a bit depressed lately so a little time with great friends in sunny Palm Springs might be just what the doctor ordered.

Replies: 3 Comments

on Thursday, March 6th, Cindy said

Hope you have a great time reunionizing with your buds. Looks like the weather will be great, too. Have fun!

on Wednesday, March 5th, Carolyn Taylor said

Doug,
As I was clearing out my email box I came upon the link to your page Joan Ski sent me in October. I am in awe and filled with gratitude to know you from days at CCCOE (Communications Dept) and by your words, of wisdom, strength and of fear. They are cherished gifts for us all.

Your words...
"So the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this blog and all of you who read it are my support group. Here, I get the chance to share what I am going through and you get to give feedback. It is therapeutic for me, giving me an outlet that is really beneficial. So I want to thank all of you for reading this and staying with me. Your support means more than you know."

...remind us all that we need to stay connected and let people know we love them. Dianne Pavia's remission is proof of the power of love, faith and prayer. And so are you!

Michael Gartner, editor of newspapers and president of NBC says, "Nobody promised life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."

The way you have lived your life, and the impact you have on so many, definitely makes it worth it each and every day!

on Wednesday, March 5th, big brother said

Hey Rock, Sounds good, take me with you.