Back Home Feb 22

I am at our home is St George. I am tethered to a 75 foot line hooked to a 02 generating machine. Since release I am making small gains every day such as walking more while sustaining my 02 above 90 percent. I have a oximeter I place on my finger to monitor this level and my heart rate I am getting pretty good at sending when I am in 02 distress. My mind says I am back but my lungs control my reality. I still depend on my spouse for my care. But growing more independent daily so that is good. I seem to have developed insomnia as a side effect. I suspect that is related to the psychological effects of the experience. Before I retired from the military I commanded a combat stress control unit that included psychologists social workers psychiatrists and mental health specialists. As the commander preparing the unit to deploy to Afghanistan I sought to not only know more about my soldiers as people and clinicians and more about soldier suicide and PTSD. Some of the psychological symptoms I am experiencing parallel PTSD. I am also a combat veteran so I have seen the effects of PTSD first hand. So I am also aware of it effects and have coping skills thanks to my command and the fact I lived in the company of combat stress control heroes. I know many who have survived covid may not share my experiences. So in short making psychological and physical progress. Funny when in ICU I actually tried to launch a blog. Another one of those mind over body ideas that failed.