My Respiratory Therapist Made Me Cry

Last week during my respiratory therapy session, my OG respiratory therapist suddenly joined the session online (they reverted me back to online sessions to protect me from picking up germs at the hospital*). I didn't recognize him at first because he was on a hospital bed and he lost a lot of weight. 

He said he just wanted to say hi and told my current therapist to do well. My OG therapist always knew when to stop so I don't get overwhelmed and exhausted from the session. He also motivated me to continue since he knew I had only resumed my sessions recently. 

After he dropped off, the team told me he was supposed to get discharged, but was sent to ICU when his BP became unstable. I bit my lip from crying since my OG therapist could've just rested to get well, but he made the effort to say hello and motivate me to do well in my sessions. I guess he can't help, but be his generous self. Even in pain he thinks of others. 

Huge hugs for R*****. I pray you will get well soon.

*Plus COVID-19 cases have increased.

Wall Push-ups, My Fave Exercise

I have a number of friends who are infected right now. Some have been complaining that they still experience shortness of breath even after testing negative. It is not surprising since the virus is a respiratory illness. The bad thing about it is it can cause lasting lung damage (read more here).

My lungs were scarred when I had pneumonia in 2008. It was what caused me to have asthma and severe allergies. I worked hard to get over some of my allergy triggers -- chicken, Coca-cola, and chocolates (yes!). I just kept eating the 3 Cs until I rebuilt my immunity. Just can't live without chicken, Coke and chocolates! I never got over the fourth C -- cockroaches. Even just the smell of roaches trigger my asthma. My asthma attacks were always mild and I was able to manage it very well. 

Things got worse when I had pulmonary embolism in 2018. Cause is still unknown. I had a second attack a year ago. Do know that COVID-19 can cause PEs too, that's why it's important to have your lungs checked and monitored post infection. Experiencing shortness of breath may be an indication of lung damage, so make sure you have it checked. 

I think my second PE was caused by the viral infection I had in October 2019. My health declined after I had it. My doctors said it wasn't the coronavirus that caused it. Whatever it was it affected my lungs because I gasped for air. Two months after I had another PE. I lived through it because my respiratory doctor followed his instincts and ordered a CT scan. 

Living with lung damage isn't easy. What has helped me a lot is consistently doing wall-pushups everyday. I started with 3 at the hospital and slowly worked my way up. I do 3 reps of 10 now. I do deep breathing while doing it. So far it's helped expand my lungs, keep my arm pain at bay and it helps keep my core firm (no more back pain!). I integrated the exercise to my coffee routine so I don't forget.

I've been nagging my friends to do wall push-ups. I hope they do it since I believe it would help their lungs recover post infection. Of course, do check with your doctor first. :)

Be well everyone!

#BeKind #StayHome

Lung Strengthening Exercises

It's a beautiful day today here in Singapore. The sky is clear, the air quality is good. It would have been a good day to go to the park. It's Sunday so it would probably be a bit crowded. The number of cases confirmed every day has been pretty constant. It's really concerning because now cases are showing up on our side of the island. So we stay home.

I had cardiac catheterization early this month to find out the cause of my SOB*. It was a blessing in disguise because it forced us to stay home for two weeks. I usually drop by a store after seeing my doctor to buy fruits, but my mobility was limited because of the wound. It's been home-doctor-home for me the last few weeks. If not for the procedure we would've likely been exposed. 

My favorite physiotherapist has gone back to her country. I've been on my own since she left. I think rehabilitation is really important especially if you had lung illness (i.e. pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or COVID19). My PT helped improve my breathing even though I originally went to her to fix my back issues. Before she left she explained that I should strengthen my shoulders also because it supports my lungs. So here are the daily exercises I do to strengthen my lungs:

Wall push-ups (see this vid)

Band pull aparts, sitting down and pull apart band with your arm bent 

Arm exercises with a dumbbell (something like this)

Stationary bike, 1 minute on, 1 minute off, 5 reps (hope we get our stationary bike delivered soon!)

If you're out of shape just do first what you can manage and work your way up. I started doing wall push-ups after my PE** was diagnosed in January and I started with just 3 push-ups per day. Now I do 15 in the morning and 10 in the evening. It's been a very slow recovery, but at least I can do some house chores now like wash dishes and cook 1-2 times a week. I still have a long way to go, but I make sure I move around at home since we can't really go out for now. 

Of course, check with your doctor if you should be doing these exercises :)

CB///*Yr2/43  #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/70 #StayHome #BeKind 

*SOB - shortness of breath

**PE - pulmonary embolism