OXYGEN AND SMOKING

[morningstar]

It was March 4, 2006

I awoke like every other morning - It was about 3:47am and as usual, I reached for my cigarettes. I keep a fan blowing on me winter and summer to help me breathe, so I turned my face into the pillow with my o2 on my face as usual. Flick, flick, finally it lit but boom was the next thing I heard, and fire going everywhere, my face included. I yelled at my husband Tom who was sleeping beside me. But it was too late. I was on fire including my face where the o2 was concentrated. The smell was terrible. I was scared to death because, just one year before my Mother had done this and was burned in the lungs by inhaling the fire.

All I remember saying to Tom is I have 3 days to live because that is what mom had lived. He got the fire out, and changed my clothes. We headed the hospital to have them see what they could do. Once there I went through the usual things of an ER. Finally they wanted to send me to Pittsburgh Burn Center, but I refused to go, so they admitted me. I put in some hard time the next 3 days.

Little did I know the hard times was yet to come. Well I passed the 3 day mark, but the o2 level in my blood was dropping and making me very sick.

A week went by and I got worse. Some days I don't remember at all. I have been told that I was out of my head. I do remember being moved to another room and the hospital staff telling me they were life flighting me to the Burn Center in Pittsburgh. By that time I could have cared less, I guess from the drugs. The men from life flight was there to get me and I went. From what I remember I enjoyed it. Once there they tested and tested and punched and prodded until I just didn't care any more. Thank God I needed no plastic surgery and the burn seemed to heal with the creme they put on it. So after 5 days there they send me home.

I didn't feel good but I was home and I would get stronger -- wrong. The health nurse came on Wednesdays. That week, my sats were way down so it was back the hospital for me. In the ER, the took one look and put me in a room. When ask why, I was told my lungs were infected from the o2 burns and I wasn't responding to treatment. The left lung wasn't holding any air and appeared to be not working at all. I have days I don't recall at all. The doctors had given up on me living. By then I couldn't walk, or turn off of my left side.

From then until May 24th, that is where I was. I was only being able to come home then because the doctors said I only had 2 days at best to live.

But through a lot of love and great care I live to tell this story. My habit of cigarettes caused all of this. Smoking with your o2 on is not smart! You might think that it won't happen to you -- it can and it will. Cigarettes will kill you one way or the other. Thanks to them I forever wear o2 all the time and have shorted my own life - all for the puff of a cigarette.

Please think what your doing. It's not easy to quit but it is the only way to live!

Rosemarie Leatham

[bobbioh]

Rosemarie,I have read your story before.I believe you are alive today to share your story and help others. God Bless you. You are a remarkable spirt bobbioh

[John]

Thanks For sharing your story if I ever need to be on o2 . Ill remember your story It makes me grateful I quit smoking Thanks again It sure sounds like the angels were watching over you that day

[cheryl]

Rosemarie,

I've also read your story before. It's just amazing you're o.k. - God bless!

[Deleted]

Awwww..........I have never read your story before but after reading this, I was just stunned. I can only imagine what was going through your mind. But it is by the grace of God that you are still here with your family and friends. I commend you for writing about this experience because so many people need to know that dangers of smoking while on oxygen. I have heard numerous of people myself say that "Oh, it won't happen to me." I just wish they could read this story and know that it can happen to anyone at anytime. God bless you and continue to be positive and strong.

[spike99]

Hey Rosemarie,

Many thanks for sharing your true story on this forum as well. Approx 6 months ago, I read your story (on a different forum). It touched my heart then and your story still touches my heart today. As seenn on the other forum, I "butted out" as well. Because of your story, other ture stories and due to my doctor's orders. Thank you for sharing your true story with many different folks. Your story is making a positive contribution to others. Thank you.

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[morningstar]

Hi Spike,

Welcome to the new board. I remember you. I think I even emailed you. I have been watching you progress on CI with the not smoking. You are doing great. I am proud of you. I think I even went to you home page and read some of your stories. Your a good writter and I enjoyed them very much. Glad to see you here you have a lot to add.
If you know anywhere my story would help please feel free to copy it and post it there. I don't mind even if my name is not on it. I just want no one to do what I did.

Good to see you friend come post every morning with us in Over the back Fence we would love to have you. Hope to see you there. Coffee will be waiting. And bear is the cook.

[spike99]

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Hi Rosemarie. Thank you for the warm welcome to this msg board. Yes. You did email directly back to me (approx 6 months ago). Thank you for your other positive feedback as well. I suppose one can say that we're both "on a mission" Misssion to help others by sharing our life's experiences & lessons learned. Thus, other folks (normal folks like you and I) don't make the same mistakes we did. In all the battles that could be faught on earth, I too believe "bettering a different person's life is well worth it". Again, thanks for doing a great job with your battles as well. (giant smile back at ya). Do hang in there as well....

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