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Oxygen and general update

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: 



My ponytail is much thinner than it used to be. My hair did stop falling out about 1.5 weeks after going back on Lovenox. 

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. 



Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2024 at 5:53 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2024 at 6:33 PM

    Wow Esther this is great to hear and you look amazing. Hope I can see you soon! Henson

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ed CJanuary 10, 2024 at 7:15 PM

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsJanuary 11, 2024 at 7:18 AM

      Just took my first dose. No aftertaste. Phew! A friend of mine also got rebound COVID from Paxlovid.

      Delete
  4. DoloresJanuary 10, 2024 at 8:08 PM

    Wow! Look how far and how much you have accomplished. Very inspiring to all !

    ReplyDelete
  5. AlisaJanuary 10, 2024 at 8:26 PM

    Hey 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsJanuary 11, 2024 at 10:05 AM

      Yes, 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.

      Delete
  6. David P.January 10, 2024 at 8:32 PM

    Picture worth a thousand words. Sorry, I mean the dim sum of course! Let's go back there when you are next in town.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsJanuary 11, 2024 at 7:18 AM

      Yes! It was amazing. That was my second time eating soup dumplings, the first being in London's Chinatown.

      Delete

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