We had a good time at the annual meeting in Nottingham on Saturday. Lots of information about the Doxycycline trial which we have raised money for and which will hopefully start soon, and an opportunity to discuss problems and issues amongst ourselves. We also had a discussion about home oxygen with Alison, a community respiratory nurse and our usual question and answer session.
The prom dress is also going well. On Sunday I was able to cut out the main material and start sewing it together and on Monday I finished sewing it together and pressed all the seams. Tonight's job is to fit the zip and then look at how I attach the lining to the outer.
My voice seems to be getting worse. I was able to do my dramatic reading in church on Sunday but when I rang the garage today to arrange for my car to be MOTed, the person I spoke to thought I was a man! It is very varied - some days I sound normal but other times I am very croaky and I cannot see a particular reason for it.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Friday, 13 June 2008
Medical and stuff
I had my first speech therapy session on Monday. Last August my voice suddenly started cracking and breaking when I was singing. I thought initially that I just had a cold and that it would settle down again. When it didn't I went to the doctor. Eventually I saw a consultant who refered me to a speech therapist. The theory is that using the oxygen combined with the acid reflux and the strain in my shoulders from carrying the oxygen around are causing the problem.
Anyway, on Monday 6 of us gathered in a small office to be instructed on how our voices worked. Pat showed us a model of our throat and explained how muscles in the voice box change the shape of the vocal chords enabling us to make different sounds. We then looked at all sorts of things that can affect the vocal chords and the muscles and thereby change the way our voice sounds. Then we had a relaxation session - very welcome - and some breathing exercises. Now I'm supposed to be practising the relaxation until my next appointment but I've been too busy!
Daughter's Prom dress is the current worry. Her Prom is on June 23rd and so far I have cut out and sewn the lining but not the dress. Tonight and tomorrow is the annual gathering in Nottingham of LAM Action, the charity for the lung disease I have. Tonight is a social event and tomorrow the more formal AGM and meeting. We are having Professor Corris from Newcastle coming to talk to us about transplant and we always have a question and answer session with Dr Simon Johnson from Nottingham. It will be good to see everyone but I will find it tiring so little dressmaking will be done on Sunday.
Anyway, on Monday 6 of us gathered in a small office to be instructed on how our voices worked. Pat showed us a model of our throat and explained how muscles in the voice box change the shape of the vocal chords enabling us to make different sounds. We then looked at all sorts of things that can affect the vocal chords and the muscles and thereby change the way our voice sounds. Then we had a relaxation session - very welcome - and some breathing exercises. Now I'm supposed to be practising the relaxation until my next appointment but I've been too busy!
Daughter's Prom dress is the current worry. Her Prom is on June 23rd and so far I have cut out and sewn the lining but not the dress. Tonight and tomorrow is the annual gathering in Nottingham of LAM Action, the charity for the lung disease I have. Tonight is a social event and tomorrow the more formal AGM and meeting. We are having Professor Corris from Newcastle coming to talk to us about transplant and we always have a question and answer session with Dr Simon Johnson from Nottingham. It will be good to see everyone but I will find it tiring so little dressmaking will be done on Sunday.
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Dancing and walking
I went to a wedding reception on Saturday and discovered that my portable LOX tank does not like dancing! After a session on the dance floor it started sulking and only gave me about half a dose every couple of breaths. This can be a signal that it is running out but testing the weight revealed that it was over half full so I can only conclude that it was objecting to being shaken up. Maybe I will have to put it on the floor and dance round it like a handbag!
I haven't been going out much recently but now the weather is improving and it is light in the evenings I must start walking again to improve my fitness. Last night we walked down to The Railway for a curry - I think the benefit of the walking was counteracted by the calories of the curry but it was a start.
I haven't been going out much recently but now the weather is improving and it is light in the evenings I must start walking again to improve my fitness. Last night we walked down to The Railway for a curry - I think the benefit of the walking was counteracted by the calories of the curry but it was a start.
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