Contributed by Bob “Oxygen Man” Rawlins, oxygen user and consultant to CAIRE Inc. ~
This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite holiday of the year, for so many reasons.
A time to be thankful for what you have and give thanks to those who have helped you get there.
My impression lately, anyway, makes me think we have forgotten how thankful we should be living in the best country in the world.
Opportunities are endless, most if not all medical needs can be met, and we can live free of most fears that other countries in the world don’t have.
I’m so thankful to be living in the US of A. I am guilty of taking advantage of that and even forgetting how fortunate my family and myself are.
It is hard sometimes to think about that. Especially, with COVID-19 and the stress it has put on all of us. The good news is that COVID-19 will eventually be tamed a bit and a vaccine found. It will become something we’ll talk about as we view it from our rearview mirrors.
However, our freedom and what we do to preserve that will not. That is something to be so thankful for.
This chronic lung disease journey we are on is difficult, no doubt. But those who aren’t on this same journey can also attest to the fact that life sometimes is very difficult as well.
Would you change where you live? Or who you are living it with? Your job? Anything? You can, but the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. I hate that cliché BTW, but it does make sense I think. LOL
Family and friends are everything to me. Especially since my life took the drastic turn it did almost five years ago. Without my faith, family and friends I really don’t think I would be here today. In fact, I know it.
I try and give thanks to them as much as possible.
You know if you just smile at someone when you are out, it can make their day. A glance, a gesture of any kindness can be huge at that time.
Our caregivers Cleveland Clinic are so amazing. Everything they are doing now and how they can still manage to treat me with the kindness that they do. I’m so thankful. I’m a handful, trust me. 😊
Customer service agents are everywhere. Their patience and understanding. Thank you to my friends at CAIRE.
Now, it is easy to become angry with our situation. Some days are brutal.
Just yesterday, I couldn’t do anything without feeling totally exhausted. Frustrates the heck out of me because I was never that way before I got sick. I never lacked the energy to get most things done in a day and quickly.
It’s slow and steady now. In the end, I’m thankful I can still do things.
I get disappointed with not being able to do some things I used to with my 16-year-old triplets. But I’m also thankful that I am still here and being home allows me to spend time doing other things. I like learning with them as they are on virtual education with school right now. *sigh*
What traditions do you either remember or continue to do with your family on Thanksgiving?
First, we always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Then the placing of the bird in the oven once the stuffing is made.
We toast the bird and thank him for being our special meal of the day, LOL!
Another tradition, which we still do in our home every year and started when I was a kid by my family, is taking a moment to give thanks.
We go around the table after grace and each person, family and guest, will tell us what they are thankful for. It is special to remember when they were young and did this versus today as they have grown into young adults. The tradition will continue in their homes as well, I’m sure of it.
My friends, it is hard at times to be thankful for where we are right now on our journey or even where we are headed. I suggest we try and find that person or thought that gives you that positive and thankful outlook.
I really am thankful to be able to share some of my experiences with all of you. Hopefully, this helps all of us. It is awesome therapy for me. Sharing my thoughts and experiences.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Smile every day.
Touch a Heart.
Laugh every day.
God Bless you all.
With Love,
Coach Bob
Bob Rawlins, 61, of Medina, Ohio, is husband to Terese and father to their 16-year-old triplets, a soccer coach, a hospital volunteer, band dad and chaperone, and marketing guru. He uses a FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator and a transportable oxygen concentrator for overnight travel.
If you have been prescribed oxygen therapy, learn more about CAIRE by visiting www.caireinc.com/patients or by calling 1-877-704-0878 to talk to an oxygen advisor.
The contents of this blog post are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice. When using any oxygen therapy device please consult the applicable product instructions for use for product indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and detailed safety information.