I did it!

I'm three days late in writing about it, but I did go to the grocery store with my oxygen-tank-in-a-bag. When I wrote my last blog, I was misreading the clock. When I wrote it was quarter to five, it was really only quarter to four. After I finished writing, I combed by hair, checked my oxygen tank and took off. It was 4:30 p.m.

I didn't drive with the tank on because I don't have to. It's for walking long distances or for a long time. That's when my oxygen gets low. Back to the subject. I found a parking spot relatively close, then I put the cannula in, slung the strap of the - yes, it's still heavy! - bag over my shoulder and took off. It's a large, popular grocery store. But I walked through the parking lot looking straight ahead and when I got inside, I got a cart and put the bag in the basket. Phew! A relief not to have to carry it. I pushed the cart around and did my shopping leisurely. I found that I was indeed in better shape with the extra oxygen than without. Apparently, my oxygen level has been low for quite a while.

At first, I avoided eye contact with other people. Then I said to myself, what the heck? So I proceeded to shop as if I were normal - i.e., that I wasn't attached to a tube that dispensed oxygen. That was great except for the fact that the tube is rather short and the bag was in the cart basket. I would park my cart in order to peruse items in an aisle only to be pulled up short by the tube like a dog on a leash. Now that was embarrassing!

Of course the bag boy offered to take my groceries to my car - they always do - and I always refuse. I did on Sunday, too. I had no trouble pushing the cart back to my car and putting the groceries in the trunk. I did, however, have trouble bringing the groceries into my kitchen. It was hot and by the time I got them all in, I was quite breathless. And still using the oxygen. But I settled down quickly and felt time. My recovery time is short and I know that is in my favor. Still, I intend to go shopping more often and buy less at any given time. That way it won't be so hard on me. Meanwhile, I continue to work towards increasing my oxygen level without supplemental help.

Did people stare at me in the store? Probably. I caught a few glimpses out of the corner of my eye, but would not say in a court of law that they were looking at me. In short, it was OK. Sometimes you've just got to do what you've got to do. And I did.

My brother called me yesterday. He didn't know I was "on the tank," so to speak, so I told him that and also relayed my grocery store adventure. He didn't like that I struggled to get the groceries in the house and told me to let him know anytime I need help with anything. He said he would meet me at my house and take the groceries in for me and I better let him know when I went shopping! This is from a man who just underwent heart valve replacement surgery. What a guy. He doesn't talk much, but he loves me and since we were children, he has always been my Big Brother Protector. I love him very much.

Well, that's the denouement of my embarrassment story. I did OK, but I'm still determined to not have to rely on those tanks for air. It is my intention to increase my oxygen level on my own.

Got to run. It's morning and I have things I do in the morning. Lots and lots of things!