Oxygen Magician
NAME Judy Warner
AGE 64
DIAGNOSIS Heart failure, Stage 3 kidney failure and Type II diabetes
EQUIPMENT Invacare's HomeFill Oxygen System
HER STORY In the span of 10 years, Judy Warner had a series of heart attacks that would eventually lead to her needing around-the-clock oxygen use. The first heart attack occurred in 1995. A year later, she had quadruple bypass surgery. In 2005, another heart attack resulted in kidney failure. Doctors were unable to open the artery, and the contrast dye shut down her kidneys. "I was discharged from the hospital needing both kidney dialysis and oxygen on a 24-hour, seven-day basis," Warner says. "Thankfully, after several more dialysis sessions, my kidneys recovered to a point where I no longer required dialysis."
BIGGEST CHALLENGE An HME provider contacted Warner before she was discharged from the hospital. Although the provider was helpful and the oxygen was working, the tanks began to cause a problem. "During the first year of my recovery, we had seven to eight canisters of oxygen at the entrance to our home and one large canister with a pull-cart," she says. "Soon, the oxygen company decided to only deliver supplies every other week. Then there was a constant inventory of 14-18 canisters plus two large ones. This was the biggest handicap to overcome. I felt I was trying my hardest to get back on my feet, but every phase of my home life was now encumbered by dragging around tubing, avoiding being entangled in them, plus trying to maneuver around the equipment as we left the house."
HOW EQUIPMENT HELPED An ad in the local newspaper for the HomeFill Oxygen System led Warner to imagine a life without cylinders cluttering her doorway. Warner recalls the woman in the ad was wearing a cannula, but the oxygen cylinder was very small. She contacted the provider immediately and made the switch to the transfilling system. "I feel so liberated now," Warner says. "I'm in charge of the size canister I take on errands or outings and have even gained beautiful, handmade quilted handbags from my sister in which to carry the canisters." The M2 size cylinders fit perfectly into the handmade bags, and people often don't know she's carrying an oxygen tank.
HME INSPIRATION Warner says her relationship with her provider has been wonderful. She encountered no problems when purchasing equipment, and she's had continued support from the beginning. Warner's provider calls to schedule visits to make sure her equipment is working properly, and the staff is knowledgeable and caring. "My supplier is definitely my lifeline to a comforting life with disabilities," Warner says.
LESSON LEARNED To be successful, Warner says providers must act quickly when contacting a new patient and, above all else, stay in touch after the equipment is delivered. "Offer as much sensitivity as you can," Warner says. "From there, the success is in support and reassurance that they have the best equipment (and) most knowledgeable staff."