[Lorraine]

@Thom and @charlene-marshall!!!

Greetings both.

All things considered, I am doing well and hope the same is the case on your ends.

NYC flattened the COVID-19 curve and altho some things are still not opened, I have been spending a lot of time outside with friends and family. In fact, I just returned from Lake George where I went for a couple of days. Of course we are concerned about a possible second wave and winter isolation.

Thank you so much Thom for reaching out and thank you Charlene for your help.

Looking forward to hearing from the two of you again.

Best wishes!

 

[Lorraine]

https://www.nationaljewish.org/patients-visitors/patient-info/important-updates/coronavirus-information-and-resources/health-tips/allergies-cold-flu-or-covid-19-virus

[Lorraine]

@charlene-marshall

Greetings Charlene:

I welcome the idea of participating in a Zoom call.

From my experience, Zoom calls are pleasant and an uplifting experience.

While walking, I blast my Spotify playlist. I do not want to use my earbud, as I want to know if others are around, which is rare. I may try Sirus Radio, to mix things up and since I HEARD it is now free for two-months.

Stay safe and well.

Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

@craftyone

Hi Judy: You raise a valid point. People here have been identifying smaller supermarkets, or even deli’s, in their respective neighborhoods, who deliver. I hope your community has similar alternatives, cause it is getting harder and harder to schedule deliveries from PeaPod etc, and then the recipient must then wait a few weeks for their groceries. Best wishes!

[Lorraine]

@charlene-marshall

Hi Charlene:

I am doing well.

First and foremost I am doing Extreme Social Distancing. Doing many virtual social events with Zoom, House Party, Facebook Messenger and Google Hangout. I also do virtual workouts with YMCA 360 and YMCA @ home.

Thank you for your love and support of NYC!!!

Stay safe and well

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene and thank you.

Unfortunately, and as you may know, things are not going well in NYC,with regard to the number of COVID -19 cases and deaths.

However, I am doing my best to stay off the radar, by social distancing, and fortunately that is going well.

Stay safe and well.

Lorraine

[Lorraine]

Some days   I’m doing great — other days ? I’m okay.

I am trying to stay strong, but know as things worsen, that may be challenging.

I live on Staten Island, New York — a 25 minute ferry boat ride to Manhattan.

Currently there are 59,648 COVID cases in NYC and 965 deaths.

On Staten Island, there are 1,866 cases and 52 deaths.

The number of cases/deaths continue to rise rapidly.

Buildings such as the Javits Center, are being converted into field hospitals. Field hospitals in the form of tents, are being erected in Central Park.

There is a shortage on Personal protective equipment for medical personal and civilians.

There is also a shortage of medical staff, ventilators etc.

Food is getting scarce and the supply chain is overwhelmed, altho I am still receiving deliveries as of this writing.

What are you doing to take care of your mental heath right now?

Follow a schedule, Pace myself, Go outside for Social Distancing walks, Visit and help my mom, Take time to connect with family/friends, Listen to experts.

Participate in TelMed calls or VideoMed calls as needed,

Take FREE virtual YMCA classes.

Drink wine. (Stress eating, grrr, weight gain).

Take long showers.

Act silly and laugh.

Social calls by telephone, FaceTime etc.

Send silly text and email messages.

Participate in video conferencing calls/events/parties … via ZOOM.

BE SAFE AND WELL,

LORRAINE

 

 

 

 

 

[Lorraine]

Well said Miltont! Keep safe.

[Lorraine]

I will avoid large crowds and unessential travel.

Best wishes all!

 

[Lorraine]

I am afraid that Social Distancing will become my reality, especially if a 3′ distance, in public places is recommended … hopefully COVID-19 will burn out.

I just wrote a text to my pulmonologist, asking for guidance, given I am 61, have ILD and a heart PT.

In addition to the above postings, when in public places, I use a tissue or paper towel to open doors, depress elevator buttons etc. I have considered buying/wearing latex gloves.

I am trying to remember not to touch my face without a tissue, and doing pretty good in that regard. I am trying to remember not to lick my finger to turn a page. Other tings. As we know behavioral modifications take time.

I am drinking more hot tea and warm water, and getting as much sun as I can, since COVID-19 does not like heat!

I am sharing the below forward …

In closing, remember what our friends across the pond say, “Keep Calm and Carry on.”

Best wishes ALL!

Fwd:

“From another group that I am in. It is kind of a long read but well worth it.

My classmate’s nephew, graduated with a master’s degree, and works in Shenzhen Hospital.  He is being transferred to study *Wuhan pneumonia virus.*  He just called me and told me to tell my friends: If you have a runny nose and sputum when you have a cold, you cannot be a new type of coronavirus pneumonia, because *coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough without runny nose*. This is the simplest way to identify.  Please tell your friends that if you know more about medical knowledge, you will have more *awareness of identification and prevention.*

This time, the *Wuhan virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed at a temperature of 26-27 degrees*.

Therefore, *drink more hot water.* You can tell your friends and relatives to drink more hot water to prevent it. *Go under the  Sun*. It has been cold recently, and drinking hot water is also very comfortable. It is not a cure and is good for the body. *Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses*. Try not to drink ice, remember!

Doctor’s advice about coronavirus:

1. It is *pretty large in size* (cell is about 400-500nm diameter), so *any normal mask (not just the  N95 feature) should be able to filter it out*. However, when someone who’s infected sneezes in front of you, it will take a great 3 meters (about 10 feet) before it drops to the ground and is *no longer airborne*.

2. When the virus drops *on metal surface, it will live for at least 12 hours.*

So remember if you come in contact with any metal surface, *wash your hands with soap thoroughly.*

3. The virus can remain active *on fabric for 6-12 hours*.

Normal *laundry detergent should kill the virus*.

For winter clothing that does not require daily washing, you can *put it out under the sun to kill the virus.*

About the *symptoms of the pneumonia caused by Coronavirus*:

1. It will *first infect the throat, so the throat will have the dry sore throat feeling which will last for 3 to 4 days*

2. Then the virus will blend into the nasal fluid and drips into the trachea and *enter the lungs, causing pneumonia*. This process will *take 5 to 6 days*.

3. With pneumonia, comes *high fever and difficulty in breathing*. The *nasal congestion* is not like the normal kind. You will feel like you are drowning in water. It’s important to go *seek immediate medical attention* if you feel like this.

About *prevention*:

1. The most common way of getting infected is *by touching things in public*, so *you must wash your hands frequently*. The virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 mins, but a lot can happen in those 5-10 mins (you can rub your eyes or pick your nose unwittingly).

2. Aside from washing your hands frequently, *you can gargle with Betadine Sore Throat Gargle* to eliminate or minimize the germs *while they are still in your throat (before dripping down to your lungs).*

Folks, *take extra care and drink plenty of water.*”

[Lorraine]

@jaimeluciano

Hi Jaime:

A lot of good information and advice on this thread, and I hope it brings positive results.

I would like to add one other thing. I bought an adjustable bed a couple of years ago, prior to hip replacement surgery and find keeping my head elevated, while sleeping is an effective way to get rid of phlegm. Alternatively, propping your head up with pillows, or a sleeping in a recliner may help, until it clears.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

 

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene: Glad to hear you are styling with the Apple 5. I am liking the functionality of the watch more and more. If I do decide to get one, I will let you know. Wishing you the best, Lorraine

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene:

Glad to hear you received the Apple watch for Christmas!!!

If you were on the naughty list, there would be no hope for the rest of us. 🙂

Which watch did you get?, I am leaning toward the 5 if/when.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

 

 

[Lorraine]

@charlene-marshall

Hi Charlene:

Glad to hear you are on the mend, but sorry to hear you had been sick and hospitalized.

You will be the first to know if I am in need of additional support, I appreciate and value such resources. My therapy has made a difference!

By the way it looks like I will be going to South Africa for a few weeks next year and perhaps another trip sooner. As you may remember, I have not traveled in a while because I did not want to travel alone. But I made a lot of new friends over the last 9 months from a meetup group and a couple of them have also been looking for travel buddies. Wo0-hoo.

Happy Holidays and New Year.

May the Roaring Twenties bring us good health, happiness and good times.

Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene:

I am doing well and hope you are too!

Thank you for letting me know about available online support groups, I will let you know if/when I might be interested. I have been seeing a therapist 1:1 for a few months now and that has been helping (altho I still have my moments) and I am even socializing again.

Happy holidays,

Lorraine

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene: Maybe a group FaceTime IPF chat is in our future. Ha.

[Lorraine]

Hi @rod-danner:  Thank you and yes, I can see how this could lead to a “financially damaging path” — you forgot to mention car play. LOL.

 

[Lorraine]

I am a newbie iPhone convert, and do see an Apple watch in my future.

I only made the switch to an iPhone on October 8th.  I have been retired for six years and during that time, I was using an old school smart-less flip phone. I needed to reboot, I was an emergency manager before retiring — and used a Blackberry, Nextel Direct Connect, cell phone, pager and walkie-talkie 24/7/365.

I finally caved and loved that I joined the Apple family.

That said, I am  now considering buying an Apple watch, for the reasons outlined above, also to have EKG testing available, since I am also a heart patient. Also, I was told the Apple watch 3 or 5 work without carrying the iPhone.

I like having my personal assistant Siri available. Tracking my miles and steps. Scanning functionality. My calendar and so much more. Also enjoying Apple TV+ free for one year!

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Charlene:

Thank you for your insight and for sharing your Salt Room experience. Also, for telling us about the salt inhaler, that is new to me.

And yes breaking up mucous and relaxing are excellent benefits.

Did you speak to your pulmonologist prior to using the salt room?

Wishing you a wonderful, fun and safe trip, enjoy that sea air!

Lorraine

 

[Lorraine]

@tarzan

Hi Tony:

I like the natural way of breathing salt air too and think it is safer.

I live inland and a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy taking walks along the boardwalk.

The thing about these rooms  that concern me is what else are we breathing? Are the room vent systems cleaned properly? Are the rooms/methods regulated? I remember when I was first evaluated for lung disease, I was asked if I used saunas, Jacuzzi etc.

Thank you for reply and approach and keep enjoying those sea walks!!!

Lorraine

[Lorraine]

@charlene-marshall

Hi Charlene:

I am doing well, keeping busy and upbeat. Also, regularly connect with my 8 year old SILLY self!

I find my various ZOOM groups to be very uplifting and fun. Also, enjoying my daily virtual YMCA classes. Today, I did an outside walk, enjoying the music of my Spotify playlist. I also limit COVID-19 television news, tuning in only to Governor Cuomo’s daily briefings.

I am following the 7 Self-care tips for self-care, as depicted on the below link, which expands on each of the below-listed tips.

Prioritize sleep

Find an exercise routine that works for you

Stay connected

Make time for a hobby or self improvement

Practice mindfulness & meditation

Eat nourishing foods & stay hydrated

Consider supplementation.

Thank you for your support, kind words and insight.

Be safe and well.

Lorraine

https://fullscript.com/blog/health-tips-for-self-isolation?utm_source=email&utm_medium=patientcomms&utm_campaign=all-apr-2-2020&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTVdNNU4yRmhZVFUxWVRsbCIsInQiOiIxNWhMdnhkTDE1MG5PM3RqeDhyNVRXNUp5eFFxRlVcL0ZUVW4xOWtEYURmOWU2WWJmak1wdU9aamVnbHJtdjJCSW9XczFnQ1wvbTE5UFgyc1c0R3BlclEzVllWTUhIdlwvUTY2TmZTdXRRdThXV3daVFZ4STZtdmNvZ1hxVHVYMlROa0FPQnk2UTc2XC9RMm1LTkVYUVdkZHFnPT0ifQ%3D%3D

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Ed: Thank you for your reply. Best wishes to you and your wife. Lorraine

[Lorraine]

Hi Linda:

I think I am a bad test taker. Also, I do not follow instructions well. Perhaps because I am distracted/not concentrating, because I am in panic mode when taking the PFT.

One Respiratory Tech is very persistent and then the results are better.

Lately, I am experiencing shortness of breath, primarily when it is humid and walking hills, hence the decrease.

I  have come to use the Voldyne 5000 Incentive Spirometer again, as I retired from the harmonica, altho I did break out of retirement to play Happy Birthday to my dad on his 89th birthday. We all had some good laughs regarding my rendition and I was told to keep my day job, ha. And yes, glad we were all together to celebrate!

I wondered about the boot-camp and have thought about signing up. Would love to go to the center in person … but they do not accept my insurance and with traffic, it would probably take two-hours each way, so the boot-camp is ideal.

So even if you walk and do aerobic/Qigong and other classes, machines on your own, you feel Bootcamp is worthwhile?, good to know.

I hope my numbers are better next time.

Always nice to ‘chat’ with you and I appreciate your good advice and information-sharing.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

[Lorraine]

@edknn

Hi Ed: Was your wife doing anything different that could have help the improved numbers. For example, Pulmonary Rehab or using Voldyne 5000 Incentive Spirometer. I hope she continues to do well. Lorraine