So, while I was waiting like I said I was on oxygen all the time.  I had a machine running 24 hrs a day 7 days a week that I used at home.  The oxygen tubing I was connected to was literally my life line.  I could go through any room of the house and still be connected to the oxygen machine.  If I had to go out in public I filled up a small portable oxygen unit but it only lasted for so many hours.  It was heavy and in the way most of the time but I had no choice.  It made me not want to go out and do things.  It made me feel like everyone was starting at me or .afraid of me like I was a creature from another planet.  I wished  I had, had a product such as that of Busy Breathers.  Those with breathing issues still want to go and do things.  We have lives too and we don’t like being tied down to machines.  We want to feel as normal as possible.  Its why I think Michelle and her business is just fantastic!

Thankfully for me I received the ultimate gift and on April 15, 2004 I got a new life with a double lung transplant.  My first words after that breathing tube was pulled was…. “I can breathe!!!”  It was the most exhilarating, relieving, and scariest moment of my life!  I could finally breathe and it was effortless.  It had never been like that in my entire life.  I kept having to ask everyone if I was o.k. because it was the weirdest sensation to breathe and not have to spend all my energy or to to have every breath be such an effort.  If you ever want to know what its like not to breathe then run as hard and fast as you can.  Lay down with something heavy on your chest and try to breathe.  That, is what its like.  I will never forget that feeling and I will always be grateful for every breath I take.

This is one of the pieces of my artwork that I sent to my sister Erin. She is helps out with a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser every year.. They auction off all sorts of things from local people and such. My artwork that I sent last year raised a lot of money for the cause. It's really is a wonderful thing!

The innovative products and the dedicated work of those that want to help people who struggle with breathing issues will always have a special place in my heart.

Keep doing what you do.  Keep fighting for and protecting those who can’t do it for themselves.  Everyone knows someone who cannot breathe so well and I know you want to breathe for them.  Just stay strong and be there for them in any way possible because my hope is that one day everyone will finally …. Just Breathe.

Marrisa as a baby

Written by T.J. Brindle the Preemies Mom

Three of my children were Preemies.  Two of them came home on oxygen.  Marissa was a 34 weeker.  She had an uneventful 2 week stay in the NICU.  A week after she came home, she spit up and aspirated.  We had to rush her to the emergency department, where she was put on the ventilator and we were told she might not survive through the night.  Luckily, Marissa is a fighter and she not only survived, but was off the ventilator in 5 days.  Her lungs, however, were very damaged.  After several weeks, she still needed oxygen, so they finally let us come home with it.  It was exciting and scary all at the same time.  Our dreams of having a “normal” baby were taken away.  We could no longer pick up our baby girl and walk to where we wanted to go.  We had to make sure the oxygen tubing came with us.  We battled with bloody noses and raw marks on her face from the stickers.   We tried several times to get her off the oxygen.  After 6 months, we were finally successful.  She is 5 years old now and continues to have respiratory issues several times during the year.

Marrisa Now

Sophia at 24 weeks

Sophia was a 24 weeker.  She spent 100 days in the NICU.  She has BPD from being on the ventilator for several weeks.  She had to come home on oxygen and an apnea monitor.  At 5 months we had only seen her face without oxygen for a short period of time.  When she was finally able to come off at 5 ½ months, we were ecstatic!  Unfortunately, at 8 months, she got her first cold.  She was having issues with her oxygen level dropping and had to go back on oxygen.  That means, we not only have to carry our oxygen tank, but also the feeding pump.  It is a process to anywhere.   Sophia is now 9 months and still on the oxygen, we are hoping that we will see her entire beautiful face soon.

Sophia Now

To those of you with babies on oxygen, hang in there.  It can be very frustrating, but the alternative is much worse.  My husband and I try to remember how lucky we are to have our perfect girls with us.  We are also thankful that we don’t have to stay in the hospital until they are able to come off the oxygen.  At home, they are able to thrive and we can relax somewhat. 

Collin (born at 30 weeks) now 3yrs old, Sophia (born at 24 weeks) now 9mos old and Marissa (born at 34 weeks) now 5 yrs old

T.J.  said that I could share her email address with my readers that way if any other families wanted to reach out to her and connect even further they could get in touch with her. Here is her email address tjbrindle@yahoo.com  Thank you so very much T.J. for sharing your story and giving us a glimpse at your precious family.  I am so happy that T.J. and her family will soon be experiencing life getting around a little easier with oxygen with our Busy Breather Deluxe Oxygen Backpack.

“I knew there had to be a better system to carry all of those items”

In 2005, pregnancy complications required me to have an emergency C-section three months ahead of my due date.  When my first and only son, Ty, was finally able to come home from the hospital, he weighed just over 1.5 pounds and was required to be on oxygen around the clock. For any new mom it’s hard enough to deal with the challenges of having a baby in tow with a diaper bag and purse, but I also had to add an oxygen tank to the mix. I knew there had to be a better system to carry all of those items. When I couldn’t find one, I decided to create my own and my product and business was born.

Because  the emotion and the “Why” behind my business is my son, I always want to carry that emotion through every sale that I have. Every interaction I have with a customer and in the way I market my business.  I also want people to know and feel that the product they are using had many thoughts and hours put into it and that I truly want it to make a difference in their daily lives. Yes, like anyone that goes into business you want to make money but first and foremost I want to make a definite difference in my customer’s lives.

I would say that what I strive to do every day in my business has not changed since I started back in 2008. Remembering my core values and “Why” I started my business in the first place. I want people to understand when they see my business name it is so much more than just a brand name, it has true value and meaning to it. Our story is reflected every time someone see’s my logo, my product, reads or hears about it.

I also continuously remind myself what my definition of Success is.  I saw this quote once not sure the source but love it “A dictionary can give you a definition of success, but real success is only determined by you”.  To me “Success” is the feeling of accomplishment that I feel from within. Knowing that what I am doing is making a difference and changing people’s lives.  I do however have days when my definition of Success strays a little bit because I have yet to meet my financial goals with my business. That’s when I have to remind myself what my “Mission” has always been with my business and that is helping others and making their lives easier.

Originally posted on thecravecompany.com on March 1, 2012

This day was a joyous day because we were going to the hospital to help another family in need.  A family that had two beautiful Preemie twins that were going to be going home on oxygen in the days to come.  Ty and I were going to help this family in one of the biggest ways we could, by donating a couple of Busy Breathers Backpacks to their family. I knew from my own experience that taking a Preemie home from the hospital was daunting enough, but taking them home on oxygen added a whole new level of concern. This family had two babies going home on oxygen, so take that concern times two.

I am honored to say that the family let me meet these two precious little babies and let me tell you they were adorable! You can see for yourself just how cute in the cbs link below.  I was also able to hug the Mom and tell her that I was just a phone call away if she just wanted to talk to someone that had experienced the NICU and taking a Preemie home on oxygen.  I knew that I couldn’t take the fear away but that I could make their lives a little easier by giving them the backpack that I designed to make our own lives easier while our son was on oxygen. This day was such an amazing day, meeting the family and twins. The nurse that was taking care of the twins was also one of Ty’s nurses while he was in the NICU at PSL. We were also able to share our Valentines story along with the twins story by being interviewed by Kathy Walsh and Denver CBS 4 News that same day.  http://cbsloc.al/xMTThX I always say it’s a full circle moment for me when it comes to Presbyterian Saint Lukes Hospital and my business! We always get a big warm welcome from the NICU staff when we go back and visit. Their Re:sourxe Giftshops  also carry our Busy Breathers Deluxe Oxygen Backpacks. http://resourxe.com/resourxe-stores  So not only was our son born their but essentially so was our business.

February 13, 2012 was a great day for our whole family. Ty’s grandparents also made the trip with us to the hospital. Ty was so excited to have his Grandaddy and Grandma their with us! While we waited for the interview to start my folks and I reflected back on that fateful Valentines day back on 2005 when our little miracle came into this world.

I am so thankful that people continue to see the value in my product and in my business and are willing to share our story on many levels in both the media and by word of mouth. By people sharing our story and spreading the word about our product we are able to help that many more families. I will forever hold gratitude in my heart towards the Jensson family for allowing me to meet their precious babies and allowing us to share their story.  A huge Thank You to Angie Anania and Presbyterian Saint Lukes Hospital, Kathy Walsh and Denver CBS 4 News.

On and ending note I would also like to share that we had no issues getting the vehicle out of the parking garage when we left, so it was a fabulous day for meany reasons!

It has been a busy few months behind the scenes that have led up to this posting. Lots of unknowns and nail biting, but I forged ahead. There have also been some exciting additions and mentions for Busy BreathersTM. To start with Busy BreathersTM  has been officially trademarked, something I have wanted to do for quite some time. Mini celebration dance over here!

Busy BreathersTM Deluxe Oxygen Backpack was recognized in Contemporary Pediatrics Magazine  as a “Best New Tech Product” in 2011. Contemporary Pediatrics offers pediatric health providers continuing education on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of illness and behavior problems. I am highly honored that my product would be recognized by such a highly regarded periodical in the health care industry.  Busy BreathersTM was also featured in Home Business Magazine. Their home Office editorial includes product descriptions and management advice as well as business opportunities, franchising and work-from-home success stories.

One of the biggest things I am excited about is the addition of a fabulous new product to our Busy BreathersTM line. I’m proud to announce that I have added a Pediatric Pulse Oximeter to our website this past week.  It’s the first one of it’s kind on the market. From a Mom that knows what it is like to have a child on oxygen and worrying about their oxygen levels at all the times this brings me so much joy!  Just knowing that this Pediatric Pulse Oximeter can help alleviate some of the fear and anxiety for other families in the same position.  A friend of mine got one for her little girl and she said that her little girl loves it and doesn’t want to take it off of her finger.  This pulse oximeter is portable and can check a child’s oxygen level at any given notice. Helping eliminate anxiety while monitoring oxygen level and heart rate. Its compact design includes a special mark to help children with proper finger placement. It can  run for 30 hours of continuous operation with two AAA batteries.

On and ending note, but what a great note to end on Busy BreathersTM Deluxe Oxygen Backpack will be carried on the website of one of  the largest home health care companies in America. The Big Announcement right around the corner!

Thanks as always for the continued support! Sincerely, Michelle

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger. “Beth Armstrong, son. Patron Saint, Matthew. Marjorie Forrest, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia. Carrie Rutledge, twins. Patron Saint … give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity.” Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. “Give her a preemie.”

The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”

“Exactly,” smiles God. “Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But does she have the patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience, or she’ll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has a world of its own. She has to make it live in her world, and that’s not going to be easy.”

“But Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”

God smiles. “No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says ‘mama’ for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see – ignorance, cruelty, prejudice – and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.”

“And what about her Patron Saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in the air. God smiles.      

Thank you for blessing us with our little miracle God! We are  forever Grateful!

Fort Morgan’s Michelle Staley is watching her Web business grow, while getting a hand from other mothers and offering a hand at the same time.

She received her first shipment of her Busy Breathers oxygen backpacks in December 2008, but has learned more about marketing in the past 1-1/2 years, she said.

She’s added about 30 new products to her Web site, which allows her to appeal to a greater range of customer interests, and that is making for better business, Staley said.

It is not easy to market only one item at a time, but by having multiple products she is getting more attention, she said.

Like other Web marketers, she has also learned the value of drop shipping, which means having manufacturers and distributors send orders directly to customers, instead of having an inventory of products around to sell herself, Staley said.

That means she does not have to buy 2,000 backpacks or other items to keep around her home office. It helps with her cash flow and amounts to a smarter business practice, she said.

Staley got into the Web business after her son Ty was born prematurely. He had to have oxygen for a time, and it was cumbersome to carry around an oxygen tank and also try to balance a diaper bag and other items.

She came up with the idea of using a backpack to hold everything she needed, leaving her hands more free.

Staley then designed a special oxygen-carrying backpack which was specifically made for mothers to tuck away everything they would carry in their purses, such as wallets, and baby materials, with a special mount to hold the oxygen cylinder in place.

It’s been well received by the health community, but it was hard going getting the word out, even through the Internet, Staley said.

That led to increasing the numbers of products she has, and adding one product another mother inventor came up with, she said.

The WubbaNub is a pacifier which stays in place with premature infants, allowing mothers more freedom of movement.

This other mother also had a premature infant, and struggled to keep the child’s pacifier in place, because the baby was too small to hold it in place. She sewed a stuffed animal to a pacifier and the child was able to hold it better, and it would stay in place by itself, Staley said.

She named it the WubbaDub and is marketing it to other mothers who have similar situations, Staley said.

Recently, Staley was interviewed on an Internet radio station by Kim Lavine, author of “Mommy Millionaire”, and Lavine is also featuring her Busy Breather oxygen backpack on her Web site.

It was exciting to be on the show, Staley said, because Lavine’s book had inspired Staley to go into business, and the exposure could help business.

This is just one aspect of a high-tech emphasis, as Staley reaches out to people over Web pages and Twitter, as well as another Web radio show called “Mom Blog.”

In fact, she’s sold some of the backpacks from contacts made on Twitter, she said.

Lavine told her that she has great potential with so many millions of people on oxygen as the population ages, and that makes for a big customer base.

While the backpack was made for mothers, it is just as useful for adults who need to carry oxygen, Staley said.

Staley’s backpack manufacturer was so sold on the product that he has offered to sell them himself, giving her a royalty for each sold, while she still sells them herself, she said. He had never made that kind of deal before.

With feedback from customers and the manufacturer, Staley is coming up with a revised backpack which is streamlined and more affordable. It will still have a special pocket to hold things that go in a purse and some other storage space, but it is less bulky and is made to work even with liquid oxygen systems, with a mesh window for looking at the flow meter instead of a plastic window.

It’s handle grip is also more substantial, Staley said.

Although the original backpack is still a good way to carry oxygen and other baby needs, this will be even better, with a lower price, she said.

Staley has also added other kinds of fanny pack-style, camera-style and cylinder bags for oxygen.

She said she is also excited to be able to offer pulse oximeters on the Web site, which allow people to measure their own or their child’s blood-oxygen level just by clipping it on a finger.

Staley is also offering wrenches for working with flow meters and a special nebulizer mask for kids.

This mask has a design like a dragon, which makes it more fun for kids who have to spend time on nebulizer treatments, Staley said.

Staley started her business in a hard time for sellers, as the recession began to really kick in, but she has sold backpacks to some of the largest oxygen companies and has her foot in the door of one of the large medical supply companies, she said.

She has heard from people who have told her that her invention has made a world of difference in their lives, she said.

“I’m still plugging away,” Staley said.

Sometimes she donates them to kids who are in special need.

Recently, she gave away some backpacks to a set of twins that were born early at 27 weeks at Denver’s Swedish Hospital, Staley said.

She couldn’t resist the donation, because Ty — now 5 years old — was born at 27 weeks, she said.

By DAN BARKER Fort Morgan Times Staff Writer
Article courtesy of Fort Morgan Times

Some of the products I have added are oxygen related for both children and adults.  They range from  the more traditional products like a oxygen cylinder fanny pack or oxygen cylinder camera style bag, pulse oximeters (to check oxygen level in blood) and nebulizer masks to the non-traditional such as creams that can help with skin irritation to a Pedineb Pacifier w/elbow.   I have also added some more traditional medical products such as a folding walker, a folding rollator, knee scooter and raised toilet seat.  One of my favorite items that I have added is the WubbaNub Duck Pacifier!

Khadi Madama
Rehabilitation Consultant
Wellness & Stress Management
(732) 341-1657

“We had the chance to use this Busy Breathers oxygen backpack after the birth of our fourth child. We’d never before had the experience of having to carry oxygen as well as everything a diaper bag needs, so we were thrilled when a friend handed us a demo bag for this company. Not only did it hold his oxygen tank, but also his diapers, wipes, pacifier, bottles, and everything else we carry for four children on the go! It was much more efficient and comfortable to carry on the back than the standard bag that is provided with the little oxygen tanks as well. And, it was versatile enough to continue using after we were done needing the oxygen as it didn’t appear to be any different than a “normal” diaper bag. Thanks so much for giving us the change to try this out!”

Paula McGuire

“My son, Max, was born at 36 weeks in the high altitude atmosphere of Vail, Colorado. We left the Vail Valley Medical Center with a prescription for oxygen as his O2 sats were below normal. Our home is at about 8500 feet up and although it’s normal for children at this altitude to go home with oxygen, it didn’t make our concern or frustration lessen. Max ended up on oxygen for 4 months. Every time we moved him, the oxygen came along for the ride. When leaving the house, it was as if we were toting another child with us. To make sure he was able to breathe easy, we would’ve done anything and everything for him, but the oxygen was definitely a burden. Had we been introduced to the Busy Breathers backpack, I am sure the burden would’ve been drastically decreased and would’ve allowed us to travel much more effortlessly.”

Recommended by Trista Sutters

I was lucky enough to get one of the new Busy Breather backpacks to try out with my liquid oxygen tank. I use a high liter flow tank and the bag is big enough to accommodate my tank and has an opening for my oxygen hose. The bag has a wide base that fits comfortably on my back. The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable for whatever you are wearing. It also has a strap that goes across the chest that anchors the tank in place. My tank weighs 10 lbs when filled so it is nice to have the stability. The bag has several compartments you can use for water bottles, cell phone, bill fold, etc. So there is no need to carry an extra bag or purse, if you don’t need it. I also like the fact when I take off the backpack and put it on the floor, it does not tip over. That stability is really a plus because you don’t want to waste oxygen.

I love my Busy Breathers backpack and recommend that you purchase one for yourself or someone who needs one. It is comfortable, convenient and it is a great looking backpack. Try it, you will like it!!

Sincerely, Brenda Nelson

A few months ago, I had the good fortune of meeting Michelle Staley, founder of Busy Breathers LLC on Twitter. Michelle is a fellow preemie mom as well as inventor of the Busy Breather backpack. Her product is something I really wish I could have gotten my hands on during the 17 months our daughter was on and off oxygen. I wanted to share it here today, in hopes it will make another parent’s life just a little bit easier!

What is the Busy Breather?

The Busy Breather oxygen backpack provides an organized system for mom and baby on oxygen to get out of the house, go to doctors appointments, sit at the park, go shopping without all of the hassle of carrying several items separately such as oxygen tank, diaper bag, purse, medical supplies, etc.. Our backpack also works for adults that are on oxygen by conveniently allowing them to carry their oxygen with other personal items when they have to be on the move.

What was the inspiration behind the Busy Breather backpack?

When my son was born three months premature, his lungs were severely underdeveloped. After he spent four months in the neonatal intensive care unit, I was very excited to finally get my little boy home. This happiness however was overshadowed by fear about my baby being on oxygen 24 hours a day for at least the next year if not longer. Along with this fear was my frustration of having to carry a purse, diaper bag, bottles, oxygen bag-along with my baby and equipment. I knew there had to be a better system to carry all of these items but I could find nothing available. Because of this frustration, I decided to design my own oxygen bag so I would only have to carry one organized system. My bag made my life a lot easier, especially since my son and I were on the go almost every day. I knew that this bag would help mothers that have children on oxygen, as well as others that have to be on oxygen, get back to their busy lifestyle with more ease and efficiency.

Where can people buy a Busy Breather backpack?

People can go directly to my website www.busybreathersllc.com and purchase the bag there. There is another mom owned company, www.familytravelgear.com that is currently carrying my bag as well.
I also have a couple of oxygen providers that carry my bags Lincare, Don Paul Respiratory, Rotech as well as a medical supply company Attentus Medical Supply out of Houston. Attentus does distribute to quite a few different oxygen companies. If a family does have a child on oxygen with the companies I listed above, have them check with them first about getting one of my bags and it could work out that the company would provide the bag to them and then it could be billed to insurance.

What advice do you have for parents of kids on oxygen?

I would suggest trying to take a deep breath and relax! It can be a very scary ordeal to have a child on oxygen but it can be manageable. You are the expert when it comes to your child and remember you have been trained too look at the signs that indicate your child is having a hard time with their O2 levels, trust yourself. I’m not saying I didn’t have moments when I would panic, but if I stopped to re-group I could think straight and it always made things better.

Children are tough little cookies and have a desire to live life like no other so let them! Just because your son or daughter is on oxygen doesn’t mean they can’t be a typical kid, they just need to be watched a little more closely from time to time! With that being said listen to your gut instinct it is usually right. One of the biggest things I had to learn was to be strong about my demands of not having sick people around my son, even if it meant I might hurt someones feelings or make them mad…your child’s health depends on it. We didn’t do much for the first year of Ty’s life, but that’s alright he reaped the rewards from it!

I can now say that by Ty being on oxygen it has made me the Mommy I am today and no matter how scary of an experience it was it made me stronger.