Just before the Christmas break, I convinced two friends to accompany me to Pittsburgh. My second altitude simulation test provided an excuse to explore the city after a stressful semester. I scheduled the test to see if I still need oxygen while flying. The test takes only 20 minutes. This time I did not need any supplemental oxygen! Last year I crossed the 88% oxygen saturation threshold within about 4 minutes. This year I was at 88% only briefly; whenever I saw the number drop below 90, I took a few deep breaths and watched it go back up. The respiratory therapist said I was right on the cusp of needing oxygen and that my doctor should decide. My pulmonologist was out of the office, so I took the portable with me on our trip to Minneapolis and monitored my sats. I did end up using it part-way into the flights because my levels were hovering in the mid-80s.
Back to Pittsburgh: we had a fabulous lunch at Bao Buns (the pork soup dumplings were phenomenal) and followed my friend Nicole's recommendation to check out the Lawrenceville neighborhood, including a French bakery. I exercised great restraint by eating only one half of a chocolate almond croissant and saving the rest for Leland and Lily. We browsed in a bead shop where we heard someone mention Penn State. Of course, this woman and her entire family are alumni or current students.
I do still need oxygen to exercise. I had hoped that my recent pulmonary function test results would mean that I could skip the extra O2, but within a few minutes of getting on my bike, my oxygen dropped to the mid-80s. So I am still using my portable to bike and lift. Speaking of which, here is my progress in the past 6 months:
In other news, I tested positive for COVID this morning. 😭 I managed to escape it for the past 1.5 years. Thankfully my symptoms are mild. I will start the Paxlovid treatment tomorrow morning. I hope I'm not one of the unlucky few to get rebound COVID.
It is such a celebration and testament to see these improvements! And seeing that muscle, you're amazing. I'm sorry about COVID - hopefully the Paxlovid will make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWow Esther this is great to hear and you look amazing. Hope I can see you soon! Henson
ReplyDeleteThanks, Henson! Let's find a time to catch up.
DeleteI took Paxlovid and had the rebound. Not ideal but still a worthwhile trade in return for lower chance of hospitalization or long COVID. Another friend suggested Big Red chewing gum to combat the aftertaste one may get with Paxlovid, but I did not learn that trick in time.
ReplyDeleteJust took my first dose. No aftertaste. Phew! A friend of mine also got rebound COVID from Paxlovid.
DeleteWow! Look how far and how much you have accomplished. Very inspiring to all !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dolores.
DeleteHey friend, on a fun note first! Food looks yummy. I want some. Reminds me of one of our Sticky Rice runs. ❤️ You are more disciplined than I am with that almond croissant 🥐 Also how can I get those muscles? Incredible. You’ll have to give me your routine 🙏🏽 Now I’m sooo sad about the Covid. 😢😢😭 I know you have had too many runs with it & not at all welcome 👎🏽👎🏽. I pray you feel well fast & Paxlovid works for you 🙏🏽 Also pray Leland & Lily are spared. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteYes, yummy sticky rice! We've now eaten at 3 Nepali restaurants (Albany, Burlington, and Harrisburg) - all were great. My strength training routine is 1 hr. x 3 days/week at the gym, focusing on heavier weights x lower reps, mixed in with other exercises focusing on core, functional movement, general strength. The trainer or gym owner walk me through a new set of 3 workouts (created for gym members who don't do classes) every month. I do each 4 times and then get a new set of workouts.
DeletePicture worth a thousand words. Sorry, I mean the dim sum of course! Let's go back there when you are next in town.
ReplyDeleteYes! It was amazing. That was my second time eating soup dumplings, the first being in London's Chinatown.
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