An approaching winter’s wish for a coat that warms me

I check the weather forecast every morning before I go anywhere.

It seems my life revolves around the weather and how I can remain warm. I live in Indonesia, near the coast and just below the equator. The temperatures stay between the upper 70s F and, on extremely hot days, the low 90s.

But I am woefully out of practice for winter temperatures in central Alabama, where I’m currently staying. It gets below freezing here. And now that we’re entering that tricky season, I must keep my cold agglutinin disease (CAD) in mind. CAD is an autoimmune, hemolytic anemia that is caused, in part, by red blood cells being exposed to cold temperatures. This includes breathing cold air. I learned a few years ago that if the surface of our lungs — all those nooks and crannies of the alveoli — were spread out, it would about cover the size of half of a tennis court.

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My dream coat

I haven’t purchased a coat in more than four decades. I have jackets that have served me very well through the few winters I have been in the United States, but they are wearing out, and I think I must buy something new.

I would want a coat to have adjustable cuffs around my wrists. I already have lined gloves, but buttoning my coat sleeves around them is another layer of protection. These features will go a long way toward preventing acrocyanosis and livedo reticularis, a condition characterized by a mottled, bluish discoloration of the skin.

A new coat would also need to be roomy so I could layer a sweater and a shirt beneath it. When I get to wherever I am going, the indoor temperature won’t match the outdoor temperature, so I need to be able to make necessary changes.

Also, I don’t want a hood, but I think I will need one. My hair turned brittle and I lost quite a bit when I was treated with Bendeka (bendamustine hydrochloride) last spring. It has just started growing back, but I will still need the added insulation a hood will provide.

I’d also like a new coat made of materials that “breathe,” allowing me to expel excess heat that could cause me to sweat and my body to cool too much. I also want plenty of pockets so I can store my chemical foot, hand, and body warmers. Many times, an outing has been saved by having just a little more warmth available. I am also looking at coats with a heating system built in. There are many choices today.

The perfect coat for me would be a wool one, with button-down cuffs that come just to the top of my hands. It would have a removable lining that feels soft rather than plastic. I like buttons, and the wraparound feel of a double-breasted coat will have me ready for even the coldest days. The hood would attach just below my faux-fur collar and, if necessary, have a drawstring to pull it snug around my face. The neck would be roomy enough to accommodate my wool scarf or gaiter.

I better get cracking. I checked the forecast for this week. The early days promise to be balmy, but temperatures are expected to dip down to the mid-30s toward the end of the week. Northern Alabama may even have a snow flurry or two. Ugh!

Most people may take a simple purchase like this in stride. To me, it’s breaking new ground.

Note: Cold Agglutinin Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cold Agglutinin Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cold agglutinin disease.