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WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 10:27 AM Oct 2012

Last night was a perfect example of how compromised my health truly is…

As most here on DU know, I have severely challenged breathing issues. I need supplemental Oxygen just to be able to walk around the house. As the wind and rain stared to howl around our house, rattling the windows, naturally culling the dead branches out of our trees, the power started to stutter.

Nothing terrible, just a little unnerving since we have a full wall of windows facing due north.

However, at around 11:00, the power started to stutter. Every fifteen minutes or so, the power would shut down and come right back, usually as close to immediately as possible.

At first, I thought it was the connection between the house and the grid since our intake wiring comes right through two trees. Since our development was built back in the early 50’s, our wires are still strung while almost every other development it has underground wires.

When I took a look outside, the only outdoor sign visible from our house and saw that it was flickering on the same schedule.

Now every time the lights flickered, my Oxygen machine would sputter and then let out a screeching sound that would scare off a grave robber. And since the everything was flickering, the internet was almost impossible to use and the cable, well we gave up.

So we were left mostly in the dark with a screeching O2 machine and a static filled portable radio.

Now I do have an emergency tank that holds close to 50 hours of O2. But if something really drastic happened, I didn’t want to use up the back-up tank.

MrsWCGreen put some earplugs in and went to bed. Me, well, I just laid there trying to read as the howling wind, the pelting rain was punctuated with the screech of the O2 machine. It last all the way till about 7:30AM.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Last night was a perfect example of how compromised my health truly is… (Original Post) WCGreen Oct 2012 OP
Get an UPS for your machine. hobbit709 Oct 2012 #1
We were talking about that this morning... WCGreen Oct 2012 #2
I did wonder how the storm was affecting you... CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2012 #3
My best to you madokie Oct 2012 #4
Whew! I can't imagine what that felt like -- wondering, not knowing how long gateley Oct 2012 #5
I feel the anxiety WC.. kentuck Oct 2012 #6
Everything is fine today, thank you for asking... WCGreen Oct 2012 #7
That may be a good investment. kentuck Oct 2012 #15
An APC 1300VA unit runs about $180 and a 1500VA runs $200. Get the larger one. HopeHoops Oct 2012 #8
I will look into that... WCGreen Oct 2012 #9
Tell her to go with the 1500 then! HopeHoops Oct 2012 #14
I would definitely get the generator susanr516 Oct 2012 #10
One other thought gvstn Oct 2012 #11
I have tanks but they don't want you to have all that many. WCGreen Oct 2012 #13
Thank you for sharing your personal experience. slackmaster Oct 2012 #12
Glad to know you're okay! Jazzgirl Oct 2012 #16
Yep, she is loaded.... WCGreen Oct 2012 #17

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,615 posts)
3. I did wonder how the storm was affecting you...
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 10:35 AM
Oct 2012

What a scary night that must have been, between the noise and the worry that the power would go out.

I would suggest a generator; you wouldn't need a very big one, just one to run your concentrator and the furnace, for instance.

I hope you're OK, and catch up your sleep today...

gateley

(62,683 posts)
5. Whew! I can't imagine what that felt like -- wondering, not knowing how long
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 10:36 AM
Oct 2012

this might last, if even your emergency tank would be enough.

I'm so relieved for you that it's back to normal -- post-storm normal. .

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
7. Everything is fine today, thank you for asking...
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 10:44 AM
Oct 2012

I am going to try and get some sleep. By the time the wind settled down, Mrs. WCGreen was up so we talked about getting a generator in case this was to happen again.

kentuck

(111,094 posts)
15. That may be a good investment.
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 06:23 PM
Oct 2012

Good to hear you are better today. Hope you are able to catch a few zzz's.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
8. An APC 1300VA unit runs about $180 and a 1500VA runs $200. Get the larger one.
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 12:15 PM
Oct 2012

One of my nieces (in Delaware) requires a feeding tube device and light to measure her drugs (parents have to do it). The UPS for their computer was only a 350VA unit, but it got them through a few hours of blackout.

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
9. I will look into that...
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 02:45 PM
Oct 2012

My sister is always asking me what I want for Christmas... She's loaded....

susanr516

(1,425 posts)
10. I would definitely get the generator
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 03:34 PM
Oct 2012

I would also contact your electric service provider and see if it is possible to mark your account as one that requires electricity to operate medical equipment. Not all providers do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
11. One other thought
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 03:40 PM
Oct 2012

Would be to see if you can get an extra backup tank or two. I don't know what they cost as to the deposit on the tank but it might be an option for you if you are strong enough to easily switch over from the machine to the tanks.

Take care of yourself. You don't need the extra stress of having a countdown clock starting each time the power goes out.

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
13. I have tanks but they don't want you to have all that many.
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 04:21 PM
Oct 2012

The one big one would last 50 or so hours and the little ones I have, including the three pulsating canisters I have, bring that up to about 60 or so hours.

I use the smaller tanks to exercise because I can crank it up to six or seven lt per minute and that gets me into the 20-25 min of exercise zone...

Jazzgirl

(3,744 posts)
16. Glad to know you're okay!
Tue Oct 30, 2012, 06:29 PM
Oct 2012

I have compromised lungs and have a lung machine that I use only when I really need it. My doctor says I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't know but I remember when I've been sick enough where it was difficult to take more than 2-3 steps without feeling completely winded. Take care and do check out getting a generator for Xmas....especially if your sis is loaded!

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