A new start

At some point during the night, I woke up with the right prong of a cannula in my eye. It was breezy, it was cool, it was disturbing. I adjusted it accordingly.


For the uneducated (as I myself previously was...), a cannula is tubing that dispenses oxygen to a person through two prongs that go in the nose. It's attached to an oxygen tank or, as in my case, a machine that makes oxygen from the surrounding air. A better choice (as long as the power is on) as the oxygen supply will never run out. This machine has a proper name, but at the moment I can't remember it.


This is difficult... I'm new at blogging. I'm newer at having to have oxygen therapy. My "prescription" is for nighttime only, but having my doctor tell me I needed it at all was a shock. I have emphysema. I used to always say I had COPD - the new term used to soften the blow of being labeled as someone who was an old, crusty, cigarette-smoking-sinner. That's not entirely the truth. First of all, I'm not crusty. Not yet anyway. Second of all, cigarette smoking isn't a sin. It's an addiction and I'm proud to say I quit approximately 8 years ago. But that's all in the past. As my blog title says, everyday is today. For me, that means each day I wake up presents endless opportunities to live whatever kind of life I desire. For the purposes of this blog, I'm writing about my intention to live a long and healthy life with lungs that provide my body with plenty of oxygen coming in and the right amount of carbon dioxide flowing out. Balance. That's what my lungs, my body, my life needs. Balance. And I'm working on it.


I have previously read that the practice of Qigong can increase lung function. Last week I got on the internet to try to find a class near me and I was delighted to find a Medical Qigong class very close to where I live. Coincidence? I don't think so as I don't believe in those, but that's a blog for another "today."


I had my first hour-long class last Friday and it was great. I did the poses without becoming breathless or anxious. It was an excellent experience for me in many ways and I have signed up for the next 8 weeks.


Since the class, I have practiced the poses I remember and have also done my own form of exercise. I walk more than I used to and I have made up some "poses" of my own. I like them; they make me feel good.


This is my first post. I intend to get better at blogging and breathing. But this is Today and Today I Am Good.