Pre Irma

We have gotten a lot of texts and phone calls asking how we are with preparation for Hurricane Irma. With all the flooding and devastation in Texas after hurricane Harvey, we understand everyone's concern. This is a huge storm and will be at its highest level when hitting Florida because hurricanes gain strength over water. After passing across Florida, the projected path will also be through Georgia. We live north of Atlanta, which is in the upper part of the state, so we expect it to lose a lot of strength by the time that it gets to us. There is a possibility that the storm could continue a path west, which will be even better for us to minimize winds. This all being said, it is expected to still be a category 1 hurricane with days of rain and winds up to 50 miles per hour. We have prepared as much as we can, taking advice and just thinking through scenarios. We are not worried with flooding, even though we live near the Chattahoochee River because of the dam system where they can control water flow, which is just a few miles away.

The biggest issue that could happen for us is power loss. While power loss is an inconvenience for anyone that has to experience it, power is a REQUIREMENT for us. Not necessarily electricity, but a power supply. Jason's ventilator is life support, which I don't think we have made very clear to everyone. I try to keep these posts positive, so I don't think I make it clear sometimes. Let me explain. No one ever has to think about breathing. When you breathe in, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. The diaphragm is muscle that extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. Being it is a muscle and ALS is essentially the loss of muscle contractability, Jason's diaphragm doesn't work to move air. His lungs work, but not the diaphragm. Jason can initiate breaths by himself, but the ventilator is set to make sure he gets 14 a minute no matter what. After having the ventilator for 4+ months, his diaphragm would be so confused if he didn't have the positive pressure ventilator giving him help.

We also have a manual way to do breathing, but can you imagine me having to manually give him a breath at least every 6 seconds for an extended amount of time? So, the ventilator can run on battery, but for a limited amount of time. We have 2 ventilators, each that will go on battery for about 6 hours. We have filled our van full of fuel and can use it as a generator, charging the other ventilator and switching them back and forth. We also have a Dewalt car battery charger that can jump start the van, but will also give us some battery life, if needed.

There are 2 hospitals within 15 miles in different directions that we can go if power loss last more than we have, or if the plan to alternate ventilators doesn't go well. We have been in discussion with our neighbors, so we are not alone if we should need help. Our camping supplies are inside the house. I can use the grills and lamps should we lose electricity. We have put anything that could blow around and cause damage in our shed or garage (solar lights, chairs, tables, flower pots....etc). We have placed the grill against the house and made sure that we can get around in the garage. The van is in the garage too. Jason's power wheelchair cannot get wet, so we need to have access to the van while eliminating the possibility of getting wet. Jason and I have plenty of food, and I have wine HA! :)

Thanks for all the concerns and thoughts. We hope that power loss will be short lived and that trees stay upright! Soaked soil and wind make a "perfect storm" for trees coming down. We will send an update on how the storm goes hopefully by mid next week once it leaves us!