Our travels with an oxygen concentrator

Oxygen

Lois Parker has a passion for travel, and she doesn’t let being on oxygen therapy stand in her way – enjoying a recent tour of the UK with her husband and their faithful motorhome. The 80-year-old shared her experiences and photos for other people with pulmonary hypertension.

“We have always loved camping holidays, starting in small tents, and moving onto caravans and motorhomes. The sense of freedom to do what we like when we like, whatever the weather, is important. And the planning of our holidays is one of the best bits.

So when I was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH ) in 2012 my husband Alan and I realised that our future holidays might take a little more planning! Within a few weeks of diagnosis and starting treatment, I was advised to use oxygen for several hours per day, and then latterly overnight.

This did not stop us going away in our motorhome. We purchased a portable concentrator to take away with us and worked out how we would set it up in the van, so that I could use it every night. Yes, it was noisy at first, and kept us awake, but we quickly learnt how to muffle the sound in various ways – without causing it to give out those annoying beeping alarms!

Over the last 13 years we have travelled all over Europe, including taking my concentrator up the Jungfrau Mountain in Switzerland. We love exploring Norway, including above the Arctic Circle, and France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Holland, Denmark and Sweden. Of course, we can’t ‘wild camp’ nowadays as we need a supply of electricity, but most campsites provide it on their pitches.

In August this year we decided to stay in the UK and explore the East Coast over a three-week period. We were travelling in our Bailey Adamo Motorhome, which we’ve named ‘Andre’. It is very comfortable and spacious, with a bed which lowers down from the ceiling, and a great bathroom and kitchen.

We first travelled from our home in Leicester to Bridlington, where we had great memories of past holidays when the children were young. We found the amusement arcade which we used to frequent and walked along the cliffs. Our next stop was Durham, which we didn’t know at all really. The city was delightful, and a walk along the river in the sunshine led us to the cathedral, which was everything we had hoped for. We also found time for a day out at the Beamish open air museum whilst we were there.

From Durham we travelled to Berwick-on-Tweed, where the campsite overlooked the estuary with great views. The local bus got us into the town, and we walked around the medieval town walls, and explored the narrow streets. Then it was on up to North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland. This was a chance to walk over the sand dunes and explore the seashore. We also found several National Trust properties to visit including Newhailes House, and a very interesting dovecote (or ‘doocot’ as they call them up there!)

We then reluctantly turned south towards home again, visiting one of our favourite Border villages, Newcastleton, before spending a few days just outside Carlisle, where we always enjoy a wander in the forest behind the campsite. Our last stop was in Knaresborough, of Mother Shipton fame! Andre took us 905 miles, and to seven campsites over 23 nights. Not bad for a pair of Octogenarians!”