Started smoking in 1975 basic training while in the Airforce. They pushed cigarettes and their favorite saying was "smoke them if you got them". Next was Nascar (Winston Cup Racing) free cigarettes.
By 2010 I was having problems with shortness off breath. 2012 I ended up hospitalized with pneumonia. That's when I learned about copd and having emphysema.
2015 came down with pneumonia again and told I needed an oxygen supplement during exertion (portable oxygen concentrator). 2017 pneumonia again and was placed on oxygen 24/7.
I continued to work as an estimator for a utility contractor until I could no longer walk jobsites. That was 2021 when I decided to retire and start enjoying what life I had.
I've and a lung valve procedure ith 11 valves inserted in to my lungs, 11 total. This has help a lot with shortness on breathe.
Now my only struggles are with Medicare and there coverage on oxygen. It seems you can't have both tanks and Portable concentrator at the same time.
Here's the problem with that. When I had tanks only my car rattled with tanks rolling in the trunk and backseat. Going on vacations we felt like and traveling bomb going down road.
Since my valve procedure I'm back using a portable which make travel so much more enjoyable.
There's one thing that bothers me having only a portable. What happens to me if the portable fails. Having a backup tank would be nice to reach a place for help.
The problem is medicare will not provide both.
