Sharing the Health
The relationship between you and your caregiver can be frustrating for both parties. A common complaint is how to stop getting smothered by well meaning helpers. Many people are lucky enough to have relatives t are caregivers. If they are cur- ntly employed, balancing all parts their lives can be difficult. A new book, The Working Family Caregiver: Tips for Balancing Career and Caregiving, can be downloaded and printed at http://tinyurl.com/av5bo4o. Author Denise M. he founder of Caregiver.com, who advises “Remember the three ‘Be’s’ of Caregiving: Be Prepared, Be Honest, Be Well.”
Last issue we told you about being able to download Dr Petty’s book, Adventures of an Oxy-Phile2. It is now available from the American Association of Respiratory Care as an audio book at http://tinyurl.com/bplufkj.
Breathing for Life: Our Stories contains personal accounts of strife, determination, faith, and accomplishment from people who have lived with lung disease. You may rder a copy from www.author house.com for $12.99 (receive an ebook for $2.99) or call 1-888- 519-5121 and ask for Book Sales.
Joan Diederich of Luxemburg, WI, likes to use a tote bag to carry her oxygen and purse in – no one notices her oxygen and she thinks it is kind of cute! Nancy Pearsall, from Breathwarmers (www.breathwarmers.com) 
is busy supplying her masks for the cold weather we are in for! Visit the website or call 1-810-653-8006 for more information. Nancy was recently sitting in church with her E cylinder of oxygen when she heard a little boy behind her say “Wow! That lady has her own fire extinguisher!” A second little one asked if she had her vacuum cleaner with her. They were satisfied when Nancy explained it was helping her breathe.
Nadine Schultz of North Tonawanda, NY, wants to recommend NeilMed’s NasaMist All-in-One spray that eases the irritation she feels from her nasal cannula. It has three different tips too: one for simple moisture, a larger tip for deeper relief and a large volume rinse tip to perform a sinus rinse. The company also makes an ear wax removal kit that she has used with great results!
Nick Jones cautions other TransTracheal oxygen users about using N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC), (such as Mucinex), an amino acid which is helpful to many to raise secretions. Expert John Goodman advices, “NAC will, by enzymatic action, cause a breakdown of the polyurethane material used in the manufacture of the catheter. I know of at least two patients whose catheters did get ‘gummy’, so no NAC for TTO patients please.”