Member-only story
Why I can’t always wear a mask
It’s frustrating and annoying
I have metastatic lung cancer.
I was diagnosed in May, thanks to a lemon-sized brain tumor that immobilized my right leg. When they did a scan on me they also discovered the cancer in my lungs as well as a spot in my liver.
Thanks to surgery, the brain tumor is gone and I’m walking again.
Because of the lung cancer, I monitor my O2 stats twice a day. I record the numbers in a spreadsheet. Despite the lung cancer and my asthma, I’ve been keeping my O2 levels at a respectable 95%-97% for the last few months. This is in the normal range and is a good sign that I’m keeping the cancer at bay.
Recently, I had pneumonia and despite using nebulizers and medications, my stats hovered between 92%-94% for several days. This level is low enough to be of concern, though not bad enough to send me to the emergency room.
However, when I wear a mask properly… After 20 minutes, I feel faint, and my O2 levels drop to dangerous levels. Last time I tested this at home, they got down to 88%. That is enough to merit a trip to the emergency room.
Fortunately, taking my mask off and doing deep breathing exercises restored my levels to a healthy range.
Today, I was tested at the hospital. I walked with a nurse around the floor, with my mask properly on. After just one and a half rounds (about 2 minutes), my O2 stats had dropped to 90. The nurse was alarmed. Then they hit 89. Fortunately, after I sat down in one of the treatment rooms, removed the mask, and took some deep breaths, my oxygen levels went back to normal. The nurse and my doctor verified that masks affect my ability to breathe.
My inability to wear a mask for long periods has obvious ramifications.
I avoid most indoor venues. But this isn’t always possible — for example, when I need to go to the hospital for tests or treatment. However, hospitals have oxygen tanks. If I am hooked up to oxygen, I can wear a mask safely.
I have talked to my doctor about having portable oxygen, but it’s quite expensive as well as cumbersome. So for right now — I simply avoid situations where I would be required to wear a mask for longer periods.
