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24/7 oxygen - how to continue travel and enjoying life?
Hello friends! After being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer with mets to bone, I have experienced a collapsed and trapped lung which has created a requirement for 24/7 oxygen supplementation at 2LPM.
I have a ROVE6 that I can wear in a backpack and it is very helpful.
My concerns seem to mainly revolve around being afraid I will put myself in a situation that I won’t be able to handle!
Can anyone with experience in this situation share if you have traveled, say by train, car or air with a home oxygen concentrator? Or if you have solely depended on a portable, or brought along air tanks?
Many thanks in advance! Good luck, hugs, and prayers to all who are affected by this dastardly disease!
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@curiouskitty You are welcome. I suspect much will depend on who is providing you with the oxygen. I would ask your provider how they can cover you when you are away from home. If they have a network that can provide you with the stable concentrator. And you should understand how Medicare covers oxygen. I just read that stable oxygen cocentrators are expected to have a five year life. Medicare pays your provider monthly claims for the first 3 years and then for the next two years, the provider is expected to leave the concentrator with you and still provide the necessary servicing (2Xyear) and tubing for the next two years. When the five years are up, you can change providers or continue with the same one and get a new concentrator and Medicare will start to pay them again . That is how I understand it. So it is important you have a capable provider that can cover you somewhere else if you travel.
I know someone in Florida who is 24x7 with O2. Florida electricity goes out often so she really has to plan, and during season if she goes out in her car she needs extra batteries in case she gets stuck in traffic. One learns to plan!
@vic83 I didn’t know how the Medicare coverage works. That information is very helpful. Thanks you.
Yes, I am in Florida and the time of year does make a big difference in traffic! I have two large batteries and have used the adapter to charge in the car. If I am not exerting myself and can power the Rover 6 down to a low setting of 2, the car adapter will keep it fully charged. If I have to have a higher setting though, it can’t keep up. I also have tanks at home in case of electrical loss. It would probably be wise for me to look into a generator but I haven’t done that yet.
@curiouskitty Yes, at max setting Rov 6 does not last that long. And the max setting (it is pulse flow) is barely equivalent to 2L continuous flow.
Definitely you want to look into a generator and know what kind of backup you have. I lived in Southwest Florida at the time of Irma, and I remember having to evacuate. When I returned, no damage but without electricity (and cable TV!) for days. And the long lines at the gas stations - people getting gas for generators. Tell your power company and fire dept you are on oxygen.
@vic83 I’m sure Irma brought a lot of hardship! If there is a threat we will definitely need to leave.
That’s good advice to advise the power company and fire departments of my oxygen situation. Thank you again!
@curiouskitty I lived for 10 years in Southwest Florida. My opinion is that if you are in the cone of the hurricane and it is 3 or more, LEAVE. One never knows where it will hit. I know some people who sat through a 3, and they all say they won't do it again
@vic83 I’m sure you’re right! Best to not take chances!