Need some tips for managing at home
Hi all 😊 I was recently diagnosed with the chronic bronchitis part of COPD and it’s hit so hard so quick! I’m exhausted after doing little things and small tasks are almost impossible. My husband doesn’t know how to cook so I have to cook for him and I just can’t at times . I also am unable to cook for myself as well and he can’t help with that either so I go without food . I’m so frustrated with all of it! My cough won’t go away even with all of the cough meds and I’m just going nuts on how to stop it ! I see my pulmonologist the 26th . I don’t know what I need since some people need dehumidifiers , some steam vaporizers and some cool humidifiers. Can anyone help me out ? Thanks in advance!
My heart goes to you,
. What a difficult situation. might have some insight when it comes to the cough. Do keep in mind though that we are medical experts. Have you tried emailing your question about humidity versus dryness to your doctor's nurse? You might get an answer before your appointment that way.
You have to eat if you want to recover. That is not negotiable. Do you like soups and stews? Can your husband at least heat those up for you? How about sandwiches? Could he handle microwave meals from the grocery store? You might get bored eating the same foods every day, but, hopefully, it will only be for a while. Those are also foods you might be able to make yourself when you have some energy.
Are there friends or family who might also be willing to help by dropping off a meal now and then? Do you belong to a church or other organization that might be willing to create a meal train? It can be hard to ask, I know, but you really need the help right now.
I hope this helps and that others chime in with suggestions. Please keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)I have found meal replacement shakes and pureed vegetable and fruit pouches (baby section for sure but also elsewhere now). It's the easiest, affordable way to keep you intaake nutritious. Goo luck!😀😀😀 Thanks for sharing! - Lori (Team Member)
You dont HAVE to cook. Eat baked beans and potato- wash a big potato scrub the skin...stick it in the micrieave .3 minutes for a medium sized potato 4 minutes for a large one.Stab the potato with a sharp knife in 3 different places..to allow the steam to escape.Have that with salad and a bit of canned sardines or Tuna.
You can also make scrambled egg and different versions of it in the microwave...in 3 minutes or under...Cauliflower in 3 minutes Broccoli in 4 to 5 minutes.
Cut into small florettes and it cooks quicker.
Buy a pizza ....buy roast chicken thighs...use a fork and scrape the meat off the bone...cook noodles in 3 minutes in the microwave, put the chicken in the noodles or on the pizza....
Prawns are cooked and peeled ..take one and a half to 2 minutes in the microwave.
Avoid eating foods with preservatives ...biscuits, etc...foods that have 10+ ingredients om the label have too many additives that can affect the body negatively.
Once your body is triggered it is in hyper mode and even natural foods can then cause reactions.
Avoid Rapeseed oil and read all absolutely all the labels.
I suggest that everybody with lung and ongoing nose issues try Maple syrup.
Canadian maple syrup..Use it instead of sugar but not too much as it may cause the runs.
There are things that help a little bit....combining several things that help a little can bring a lot of relief.There are no miracle total cures ..but there are things that help.
Avoid using talcum powder.Be careful when handling flour.Be gentle and do not let the flour disperse into the air ,which is easily done.
Mould from food is bad it disperses very easily.Put a tissue over it and then deal with it gently.
Vacuum cleaners ...bagless ones ..can pass fine particles through the exit filter.
Spray the filter with water , before vacuuming ,which will trap particles.
Don'd dust anything...use wet wipes to clean dust away.Dusting just gets dust airborne.Put dusty things in the tub and spray with the shower to wash dust away.To cook vegatables quickly in a microwave..cut the veg so it is not big chunks of veg.Then rinse and don't add any extra water ,just the left over water from the rinse.
Then cover the bowl with cling film afer adding salt ,pepper and a few drops of oil.
Do not add water!
Potato is okay whole but needs to be pierced in 4 places with a knife...
Cauliflower takes 3 minutes ...Broccoli 4-5 minutes.
With Broccoli, leave the clingfilm on for a few minutes after removing from microwave.
All taste better once the steam is allowed to escape from the veg...5 minutes after cooking.
800 watts microwave or above.
There are ways around most problems ..we just have to find them!Carrots 3 minutes to cook ,no water, slice the carrots lengthways into quarters and across ,into smaller pieces.
Green beans take 5 minutes to cook, requires about 4 tablespoons of water and clingfilm over the bowl. About 2 portions of green beans in the bowl.
A small bowl full.
Larger amounts would take longer to cook.
Cabbage does not cook well in a microwave.
I found I can’t tolerate a gas stove or fireplace in operation. It seems to suck the Oxygen out of the room & I have O2 24/7.
As far as cooking I’ve learned to do things in step. I fix salad (seated) & rest. Prep the next thing & rest. Etc. Sit to do as much as you can.
If you’ve not been to pulmonary rehab ask your doctor about it. The strength & knowledge you gain is so helpful. It will improve your quality of life.Those of us who live with chronic illness have to do so many little things during the day to make our lives more livable that it can take a toll on our mental energy! I think that's why so many of us come up with routines to make things easier on a day to day basis! Thanks for sharing! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
