ALSCaregiver.com

As an update, I’ll just say that mom has decided she can’t be without the BiPap.  While she does not want oxygen, she has realized that the BiPap helps her breathe without forcing in oxygen.  She hates it, but she’s working with it.  The truth is, we can’t risk being without it at all now, so we’re in a new adjustment period of figuring out ways to still do things and yet have power handy and nearby.  Since I can’t afford it, it’s up to her if she thinks it’s worth it to spend $500 on a portable battery for the BiPap.  I’m all for it but it’s not my decision.

We now have a new machine in the house – the BiPAP.  What in the heck is a BiPAP?  “BiPAP stands for Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure. It is a breathing apparatus that helps people get more air into their lungs.” (Wisegeek)  Essentially it helps mom out when she’s feeling short of breath.

It’s an interesting little gadget.  It tells you how much you’re breathing, it will shriek like a banshee if it has to do more work than it’s supposed to (ie. if you aren’t breathing on your own) and it adds a lovely “strangled robot” sound to the room.  No worries though – it’s not distracting and you get used to it.  It even has a water tank so you can humidify the air you’re breathing if you feel so inclined.  That can help ward off dry mouth and dry throat.