We had a wonderful sermon today at Life Community Church. Our Associate Pastor talked about something that was dear to her heart. By the grace of God it was also something I had been praying for.... Something I could do to sow good seed and to help others prosper. I had been praying for the Holy Spirit to show me my work. I think I heard the message! :)
Ann (Our beloved Associate Pastor) began to talk about the mission we have here in town and the need that exists there. For a small community like ours, last year they fed nearly 118,000 people. Ever increasing are meals served to families and children. It used to be our Mission was used mainly by the transients who came through town. Today we were made aware that this year most of those meals are being served to families, who come 2 or 3 times a week to feed their families so they can save money for rent and utilities.
After church I came home and knowing Bill usually cooks Thanksgiving dinner I asked him if he would mind me going to the mission to offer my help. He agreed that it would be a wonderful thing to do. And, to bless me more... Brittney said that she would like to do it also and bring Layla so she could see that other little children don't have all things she does. She is hoping to teach Layla that giving feels good and is a nice thing to do for others who may not have all that she does.
I could not be prouder that all the women in my family will be at the mission this Thanksgiving!
I plan on making this a monthly thing for me. I have been so fortunate with health and my needs that I have a need to give back.
Tonight my prayers will be thanking Jesus for showing me my purpose. I may not be able to help anyone with money, but I can surely offer my help.
One last thing before I say goodnight.... Tomorrow at 10:00 I have my first appointment with a personal trainer at the gym. I am both excited and nervous. lol I'll let you know how things go!
Did you know: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is our longest word. What does it mean? As i live and breathe. This blog will take you through a journey of two women. The first being weak, sick and dying. The second (and my favorite) being born again with a renewed spirit and the receiver of true Divine healing.
Walking into a new and brighter life.
The healthy me
Finding your way around
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Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
I can see my toes again!!
Almost a year ago on January 5th, 2012 I decided to be honest with everyone about my weight. I actually got the nerve up to take photo's in my underwear and bra. You have no idea how difficult it was just for me to see that, let alone share it with the world.
Today almost a year later I took a new picture. Here is then and now.
I still have a ways to go. I have went from a size 3x to a size 12 almost to a 10 now.
God has been so good to me. Since my lung surgery I have healed so quickly, and had no issues with limitations. I breezed through physical therapy and tomorrow I am joining a gym.
The irony does not escape me that I was 47 and 100+ pounds overweight, told that I may only have 5 years to live without major surgery, and only IF I qualified for the surgery. First I would have to lose at least 70 pounds. At that time I thought that was impossible.
Now I am 50 and feeling healthier and stronger than I have since my 20's.
I am looking forward to beginning the gym and to continue to get stronger and stronger.
I have not forgotten that Emphysema is progressive, but I can slow down the continued progression if I can keep a strong body. I have not forgot and I realize that even with good health and exercise I still will one day be looking for a transplant hospital. But now I am convinced it is YEARS ahead of me.
Today almost a year later I took a new picture. Here is then and now.
I still have a ways to go. I have went from a size 3x to a size 12 almost to a 10 now.
God has been so good to me. Since my lung surgery I have healed so quickly, and had no issues with limitations. I breezed through physical therapy and tomorrow I am joining a gym.
The irony does not escape me that I was 47 and 100+ pounds overweight, told that I may only have 5 years to live without major surgery, and only IF I qualified for the surgery. First I would have to lose at least 70 pounds. At that time I thought that was impossible.
Now I am 50 and feeling healthier and stronger than I have since my 20's.
I am looking forward to beginning the gym and to continue to get stronger and stronger.
I have not forgotten that Emphysema is progressive, but I can slow down the continued progression if I can keep a strong body. I have not forgot and I realize that even with good health and exercise I still will one day be looking for a transplant hospital. But now I am convinced it is YEARS ahead of me.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I am feeling amazing
It's been 3 weeks since I have written. I have had 6 Physical Therapy appointments. I am working on my back, my core, my arms and legs. Isn't that pretty much every part of my body?
I know that I leave there and feel like my legs and arms are noodles. Today not only was my back sweating, but my butt was too! Glamorous huh? lol
As hard as I can work out my O2 saturation is still not going below 90 which is great.
I honestly have not felt this good since I was in my 30's. I am now a size 12, down from a 3x. Needless to say I have had to buy all new clothes, bra's and undies and a coat. It gives me that much more confidence that I won't allow myself to gain weight and to keep losing. I would like to settle at a size 10 or 8, and lose another 20 pounds.
I have lost several inches since surgery.
I still have this blob in my stomach which pooches out from the Fibroid Tumor on my uterus. I am hoping in January to have the surgery back in Portland to have it removed.
It seems that Bill needs to have his knee replaced, so I will plan my surgery after his so I can take care of him. Lord knows he took care of me long enough.
As much as I am getting used to me living in a healthy body... Bill still hasn't. I have to call and check in with him everywhere I go. He constantly reminds me to take medication or to not forget my O2 at night. When I go to Physical Therapy he tells me not to over do it. I think we both need to watchfully realize that I am not the damaged person I was 2 months ago. Still being careful and to listen to my body, but I am ready to live now.
I am finding my faith getting stronger, which makes my spirit just want to shine. I am struggling and praying for Bill to make small changes like terrible cussing and drinking. It's sometimes difficult to remain positive when he gets so negative. I just keep on praying for him. I can't get enough Church. I would go every night if Bill wouldn't put his foot down. Already I am going on Sunday's then twice a week to Bible Study.
I will keep posting and letting you know how things are coming along. I have a feeling I might put up the Christmas Tree this week. I will have to talk Bill into putting the lights up outside before the snow sticks.
I'll post pictures after it's all done.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I am learning to be healthy
I have found out that years of watching every thing you do, everything you eat, every place you visit... to finally have freedom takes a while.
I still carry O2 in the car with me just in case. I really haven't tested myself too hard. I go grocery shopping, I go to Church and Bible study twice a week. I volunteer on Saturdays for the Democratic party in town. I do a little retail therapy with a girlfriend once in a while. That's been about it. Probably the most strenuous thing I have done is vacuuming, which I take breaks and sit down to let my heart rate go back down.
I went to my Cardiologist last Tuesday and he said I have made a remarkable recovery. :-) I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. He even removed one heart medication from my huge list of meds. This Tuesday I went to my Primary Care Doctor and she said all my "stats" are O.K., She was checking my incisions from the surgery and felt 2 lumps in my breast. She said she thinks they are only cyst's and I will have an ultra-sound next week to look at them. I am not worried. I think after everything I went through God wouldn't let this get me down.
Other than that I feel wonderful. I have bought new clothes and got my hair re-done. I can wear jewelry for the first time in 3 1/2 years. I am still losing weight and actually will start Physical Therapy to begin to build back up my core muscles and stamina next Thursday.
I'll blog later with some results.
I still carry O2 in the car with me just in case. I really haven't tested myself too hard. I go grocery shopping, I go to Church and Bible study twice a week. I volunteer on Saturdays for the Democratic party in town. I do a little retail therapy with a girlfriend once in a while. That's been about it. Probably the most strenuous thing I have done is vacuuming, which I take breaks and sit down to let my heart rate go back down.
I went to my Cardiologist last Tuesday and he said I have made a remarkable recovery. :-) I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. He even removed one heart medication from my huge list of meds. This Tuesday I went to my Primary Care Doctor and she said all my "stats" are O.K., She was checking my incisions from the surgery and felt 2 lumps in my breast. She said she thinks they are only cyst's and I will have an ultra-sound next week to look at them. I am not worried. I think after everything I went through God wouldn't let this get me down.
Other than that I feel wonderful. I have bought new clothes and got my hair re-done. I can wear jewelry for the first time in 3 1/2 years. I am still losing weight and actually will start Physical Therapy to begin to build back up my core muscles and stamina next Thursday.
I'll blog later with some results.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
This is a letter that was posted on BecomeAnEx.org a quit smoking site that I joined to quit smoking once I was diagnosed. It touched me so much I wanted to post it here.
Dear Kellie,
August 27, 2010 by pir8fan Comments (9)
You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I sure would like to meet you! I have read your words and marveled at your courage for a while now! I look around and see so many with so much to be thankful for who "try" to quit smoking! We sit around our keyboards and pat each other on the back and talk about how hard it is to quit! We do not discuss the hardships associated with not quitting! Those reallties are a little too scary to talk about! Where is our courage?
Then we come to you! In an open and frank discussion of your real life, you force, us to look into the mirror. And often we turn away, at a loss for words. How hard it must be to spend your life trying to divert us from the trap you fell into, and seeing the indifference to your warning! Yet you summon up another snifter of courage, and and battle on. You struggle for everyone of us, in a tireless manner, and never looking for anything in return! I wish I had something to offer you, besides my unwavering respect! That and this salute to true courage!
One day we shall all take our last breath before we go and stand before our Maker. Shakespear said thru the words of Jullis Caesar " Cowards die many times before their death, but the valiant taste of death but once." I pray that we might all face our future with the courage you display everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you face each new challenge. Forever, Tommy
Comments...............
hear! hear!
Dawn 2 days ago
well said! Thanks
onvacation 2 days ago
Thank-you for including us in this moving letter to this awesome woman!
LaurieA 2 days ago
Tommy - You are such a dear man! Thank you for this beautiful letter to Kellie. I have always said that I can't even imagine how difficult this journey of quitting would be if I wasn't in the best of health. Those who do it amaze me...those who do it and help others do it - have "true courage" as you said! Thank you!
Strudel 2 days ago
I feel privileged to be part of this letter. God bless Kellie and her efforts to help save others from the ugly truths of the effect of smoking. Everyday I see more and more people here that have been touched by her and there lives forever changed for the bettter. I have no doubt many lives will be saved because of her courage. Thanks Tommy for your beautiful touching tribute.
marie Burgess 2 days ago
Very powerful. Everyone needs to read what she has to say. I dare anyone to feel sorry for themselfs afterwards. God bless this dear woman.
daisy 2 days ago
I came in this morning and saw this, looked away, started reading, stopped, and then through teary eyes finished reading it. It took me a little longer to be able to read the comments.
Why is it that hearing nice things is more difficult than hearing the bad? Thank you for the beautiful words, it is humbling, As much as you say I have helped someone else, I feel they have helped me. Anyway, I am trying to find of a nice way to show my appreciation and how much it means to hear such nice and kind words.... I am just stumbling. Thank you too <3 br="br">
Kellie yesterday
I went back and read my blogs today and noticed that the very first day I quit, on my very first blog, the very first person to reply is our dear Kellie!!! <3 br="br">
Dawn yesterday
Mom, I love you and this sweet man Tommy has made it clear what an incredible woman you are and what strength you have. Through all of this pain and sadness there will come happiness. You helped me be the strong woman I am today so I know with the strenth and power in you, you will make it through this and help people along the way. I love you and I am glad others are seeing what we've seen all along! You are my strength... You are my world... I love you!
Brittney yesterday
3>3>
Dear Kellie,
August 27, 2010 by pir8fan Comments (9)
You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I sure would like to meet you! I have read your words and marveled at your courage for a while now! I look around and see so many with so much to be thankful for who "try" to quit smoking! We sit around our keyboards and pat each other on the back and talk about how hard it is to quit! We do not discuss the hardships associated with not quitting! Those reallties are a little too scary to talk about! Where is our courage?
Then we come to you! In an open and frank discussion of your real life, you force, us to look into the mirror. And often we turn away, at a loss for words. How hard it must be to spend your life trying to divert us from the trap you fell into, and seeing the indifference to your warning! Yet you summon up another snifter of courage, and and battle on. You struggle for everyone of us, in a tireless manner, and never looking for anything in return! I wish I had something to offer you, besides my unwavering respect! That and this salute to true courage!
One day we shall all take our last breath before we go and stand before our Maker. Shakespear said thru the words of Jullis Caesar " Cowards die many times before their death, but the valiant taste of death but once." I pray that we might all face our future with the courage you display everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you face each new challenge. Forever, Tommy
Comments...............
hear! hear!
Dawn 2 days ago
well said! Thanks
onvacation 2 days ago
Thank-you for including us in this moving letter to this awesome woman!
LaurieA 2 days ago
Tommy - You are such a dear man! Thank you for this beautiful letter to Kellie. I have always said that I can't even imagine how difficult this journey of quitting would be if I wasn't in the best of health. Those who do it amaze me...those who do it and help others do it - have "true courage" as you said! Thank you!
Strudel 2 days ago
I feel privileged to be part of this letter. God bless Kellie and her efforts to help save others from the ugly truths of the effect of smoking. Everyday I see more and more people here that have been touched by her and there lives forever changed for the bettter. I have no doubt many lives will be saved because of her courage. Thanks Tommy for your beautiful touching tribute.
marie Burgess 2 days ago
Very powerful. Everyone needs to read what she has to say. I dare anyone to feel sorry for themselfs afterwards. God bless this dear woman.
daisy 2 days ago
I came in this morning and saw this, looked away, started reading, stopped, and then through teary eyes finished reading it. It took me a little longer to be able to read the comments.
Why is it that hearing nice things is more difficult than hearing the bad? Thank you for the beautiful words, it is humbling, As much as you say I have helped someone else, I feel they have helped me. Anyway, I am trying to find of a nice way to show my appreciation and how much it means to hear such nice and kind words.... I am just stumbling. Thank you too <3 br="br">
Kellie yesterday
I went back and read my blogs today and noticed that the very first day I quit, on my very first blog, the very first person to reply is our dear Kellie!!! <3 br="br">
Dawn yesterday
Mom, I love you and this sweet man Tommy has made it clear what an incredible woman you are and what strength you have. Through all of this pain and sadness there will come happiness. You helped me be the strong woman I am today so I know with the strenth and power in you, you will make it through this and help people along the way. I love you and I am glad others are seeing what we've seen all along! You are my strength... You are my world... I love you!
Brittney yesterday
3>3>
Getting used to the new me
I got home yesterday from my post-op appointment with my surgeon.
First they removed all my stitches and said my wounds are healing nicely. They said 2 or 3 more weeks and I can swim again and take baths (yeah!!). They still want me to stay on my pain medication full time and take the next 2 weeks easy. But, then I can begin to exercise again!
I have an oxymeter which tells me by putting it on my finger what my O2 saturation level is and my heart rate. Since surgery I have used it often to see if the surgery worked. Most the time I had really good stats, but as before when I got up and worked a little my heart rate would sore and my O2 level would drop.
The doctors told me to try very hard not to use it. To listen to my body as to when to slow down, sit down and deep breath, and when I may need a little O2. That I have to build up my core again and become stronger before I can cut down and come off the O2 while exercising, or activity.
I have to say it is hard for me to live now as a healthy person. I want to pick up that oxymeter and use it always to tell me when I am O.K. and when I am not. I have a very hard time trusting myself to be responsible for me. So, I am still using the oxymeter every so often.
I will get used to the new health plan. It has changed 100%. No O2! Wow! For a while I will still carry it with me... just in case. But, chances are I will not need it. I can control it myself. I have to keep telling myself that.
First they removed all my stitches and said my wounds are healing nicely. They said 2 or 3 more weeks and I can swim again and take baths (yeah!!). They still want me to stay on my pain medication full time and take the next 2 weeks easy. But, then I can begin to exercise again!
I have an oxymeter which tells me by putting it on my finger what my O2 saturation level is and my heart rate. Since surgery I have used it often to see if the surgery worked. Most the time I had really good stats, but as before when I got up and worked a little my heart rate would sore and my O2 level would drop.
The doctors told me to try very hard not to use it. To listen to my body as to when to slow down, sit down and deep breath, and when I may need a little O2. That I have to build up my core again and become stronger before I can cut down and come off the O2 while exercising, or activity.
I have to say it is hard for me to live now as a healthy person. I want to pick up that oxymeter and use it always to tell me when I am O.K. and when I am not. I have a very hard time trusting myself to be responsible for me. So, I am still using the oxymeter every so often.
I will get used to the new health plan. It has changed 100%. No O2! Wow! For a while I will still carry it with me... just in case. But, chances are I will not need it. I can control it myself. I have to keep telling myself that.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
My 5 days post surgery
The 22nd as planned I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 for my surgery at 7:00. Brittney, Bill and Layla were there with me and my brother was on his way from his hotel to reach me before I went "under".
Honestly, I don't recall that day or the 23rd and 24th. Parts of those days are sketchy. Bill, Britt and Greg left by Friday the 24th. I was under the impression that Bill or Brittney would stay with me at the hospital until my release... taking turns and coming back to Klamath Falls in-between. The nursing staff told them I needed rest and they didn't want them in my room. I kept telling them to just leave and go home and take care of things, that I had good nurses and I would just be laying around being drugged and the hospital staff could take care of whatever I needed.
The 22nd through the 24th I was in the Trauma ICU. I was well cared for, fed, bathed or washed off, helped to the commode, had my I.V.'s flushed every day, was given all my medications, had water or ice chips without even asking. They were good nurses who knew what I needed before I even asked for it.
Then around the evening of the 24th they told me as soon as a bed was ready on the recovery ward I would be moved. Friday night/Saturday morning around midnight I was transferred.
Being on such heavy drugs I had been hallucinating the entire time and getting moved late night in the dark surely fed into my paranoia. So began the worse experience of my life. Each day several times Bill, Brittney, Greg and Robbin (my brothers) would call and ask how I was doing. Even in my darkest times I always told them "fine". I didn't want anyone to think they had to drop what the were doing and run to take care of me.
I can't honestly remember much of the next 3 days so I will only comment on what I know to be fact.
In this room my door stayed shut and the lights remained off, unless a doctor came in the check my tubes or remove them and my epidural, the rest of the time I remained in the dark. Yes, there was a T.V. but I could figure out how to change the channels. I slept most of the time. I was supposed to be given a shot in the stomach once a day to help keeps clots from forming, out of 3 days there.. I got only one shot. I would call the nurse to help me to the bathroom and she would say back on the speaker that it would be a while. So, I always got up by myself to use the bathroom. They had one of those buckets in it to measure stuff. The entire time there no one checked it, and I was the only one to empty it. I never was cleaned up or washed. I through up one day all over my bedding and I called the nurse, she came in and removed the sheets and changed the sheets. I asked her for new clothes and a washcloth.. nada.
I would occasionally leak urine on my bed and just sit in it until I had enough stamina to get up and get new underwear and a "leak pad".
Sunday night the doctor came in and took out the last chest tube. I began to tell him how filthy I felt and that I had asked for help but no one ever showed up. He was the one to tell me I needed to go home. That I was at more risk being in the hospital for germs and bacteria and pneumonia. So, Monday morning I called Britt and told her to come and get me.
My conclusion and advice to anyone facing a major surgery is this.......
Family is there to help you. I should have never thought I was a burden to them, and insisted that someone stay there with me. When you are in the hospital alone you are at the mercy of the staff. If you have someone there on your behalf then they can demand a bath, or less drugs, or new clothes, or just better care. That's my surgical story.
I am doing fine at home.
Thank everyone for their prayers. I needed every one of them.
Honestly, I don't recall that day or the 23rd and 24th. Parts of those days are sketchy. Bill, Britt and Greg left by Friday the 24th. I was under the impression that Bill or Brittney would stay with me at the hospital until my release... taking turns and coming back to Klamath Falls in-between. The nursing staff told them I needed rest and they didn't want them in my room. I kept telling them to just leave and go home and take care of things, that I had good nurses and I would just be laying around being drugged and the hospital staff could take care of whatever I needed.
The 22nd through the 24th I was in the Trauma ICU. I was well cared for, fed, bathed or washed off, helped to the commode, had my I.V.'s flushed every day, was given all my medications, had water or ice chips without even asking. They were good nurses who knew what I needed before I even asked for it.
Then around the evening of the 24th they told me as soon as a bed was ready on the recovery ward I would be moved. Friday night/Saturday morning around midnight I was transferred.
Being on such heavy drugs I had been hallucinating the entire time and getting moved late night in the dark surely fed into my paranoia. So began the worse experience of my life. Each day several times Bill, Brittney, Greg and Robbin (my brothers) would call and ask how I was doing. Even in my darkest times I always told them "fine". I didn't want anyone to think they had to drop what the were doing and run to take care of me.
I can't honestly remember much of the next 3 days so I will only comment on what I know to be fact.
In this room my door stayed shut and the lights remained off, unless a doctor came in the check my tubes or remove them and my epidural, the rest of the time I remained in the dark. Yes, there was a T.V. but I could figure out how to change the channels. I slept most of the time. I was supposed to be given a shot in the stomach once a day to help keeps clots from forming, out of 3 days there.. I got only one shot. I would call the nurse to help me to the bathroom and she would say back on the speaker that it would be a while. So, I always got up by myself to use the bathroom. They had one of those buckets in it to measure stuff. The entire time there no one checked it, and I was the only one to empty it. I never was cleaned up or washed. I through up one day all over my bedding and I called the nurse, she came in and removed the sheets and changed the sheets. I asked her for new clothes and a washcloth.. nada.
I would occasionally leak urine on my bed and just sit in it until I had enough stamina to get up and get new underwear and a "leak pad".
Sunday night the doctor came in and took out the last chest tube. I began to tell him how filthy I felt and that I had asked for help but no one ever showed up. He was the one to tell me I needed to go home. That I was at more risk being in the hospital for germs and bacteria and pneumonia. So, Monday morning I called Britt and told her to come and get me.
My conclusion and advice to anyone facing a major surgery is this.......
Family is there to help you. I should have never thought I was a burden to them, and insisted that someone stay there with me. When you are in the hospital alone you are at the mercy of the staff. If you have someone there on your behalf then they can demand a bath, or less drugs, or new clothes, or just better care. That's my surgical story.
I am doing fine at home.
Thank everyone for their prayers. I needed every one of them.
Lung Volume Surgery benefits to emphysema patients
Lung-volume reduction surgery benefits emphysema patients
March 28, 2003
By Gila Z. Reckess
A procedure known as lung-volume reduction surgery (LVRS) appears to improve overall health and quality of life for individuals with end-stage emphysema, and these effects last as long as five years in more than half of this population, according to School of Medicine researchers.
The findings appear in the March issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Principal investigator Joel D. Cooper, M.D. (right), the Evarts A. Graham Professor of Surgery and head of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stephen S. Lefrak, M.D., medical director of the Lung-Volume Reduction Program, and their colleagues found that the success of lung-volume reduction surgery in patients with severe emphysema is overwhelming. – Photo by Bob Boston
The procedure was developed at the School of Medicine in 1993 by the study’s principal investigator, Joel D. Cooper, M.D., the Evarts A. Graham Professor of Surgery and head of the Division of Cardio-thoracic Surgery.
“Evidence of the success of this surgery in patients with severe emphysema is overwhelming, and these latest findings confirm and underscore its potential for treating this critically ill population,” Cooper said. “This publication represents a major, interdisciplinary team effort, which depended on expertise from a variety of areas, including pulmonary medicine, anesthesiology and nurse coordination.”
Emphysema is characterized by destruction and overinflation of the lungs. As the lungs become progressively bloated, they fill the chest cavity and thorax, making it difficult to expand and contract during normal breathing.
The disease relentlessly progresses and is responsible for close to 17,000 deaths each year in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
In select patients, LVRS provides an alternative to lung transplantation, which until recently was the only option for patients with end-stage lung disease that cannot be controlled with drugs. By removing the most diseased portions of the lung, the procedure provides the lungs with more room to expand within the chest cavity.
Though LVRS is not a cure for emphysema, studies suggest that the surgery increases breathing capacity by more than 50 percent. Such improvements allow otherwise debilitated individuals to resume many normal, daily activities, including moderate exercise.
This study is the first to examine the long-term endurance of patients following surgery.
The research team maintained a detailed database of lung function and quality-of-life assessments for the first 250 patients who underwent LVRS at Barnes-Jewish Hospital between January 1993 and June 2000.
Follow-up evaluations were performed six months and one year after surgery and again each year afterward. Patients were followed for an average of 4.8 years.
All participants first were enrolled in a rehabilitation program for about three months prior to surgery and were given medical and dietary programs to make sure they were as healthy as possible for the operation. They also remained on fitness and medical regimens after surgery.
At the conclusion of the study, more than 60 percent of the 250 patients were still alive, and only 18 patients had received a lung transplant since undergoing LVRS. Without surgery, it is estimated that half of the 250 patients would have died within three years and that those still alive after five years would have significantly deteriorated.
Overall, the surviving LVRS patients still had measurable improvements in lung function after five years. For example, patients were tested to see how much air they could blow out in one second, a measurement known as forced expiratory volume.
Six months after surgery, 95 percent of patients had improved on this test by an average of 54 percent. After five years, 53 percent of patients still had better scores than before surgery, though they were only 7 percent better.
The team also measured the amount of air left in the lungs after a deep exhale, a value called residual volume. People with healthy lungs have low residual-volume scores because very little air remains in the chest cavity after breathing out.
Evaluations six months and one year after surgery revealed that 90 percent of participants had improved residual-volume scores, and that residual-volume values declined an average of 30 percent. After five years, 79 percent still had better residual-volume scores than before surgery, and the average improvement was 14 percent better than pre-surgery scores.
Quality-of-life assessments also were positive: Almost 80 percent of patients still reported better quality-of-life scores five years after surgery than before surgery.
“This procedure is not a cure for emphysema,” Cooper said. “No matter how successful the operation, emphysema continues to degrade the lungs and progressively impairs breathing.
“However, our results confirm that LVRS can in fact extend patients’ lives and allow them to continue participating in normal activities of daily living.”
Determining selection criteria is one of the most controversial issues in measuring the effectiveness of LVRS. Therefore, Cooper’s team analyzed data from patients with potential risk factors.
The team found that individuals who required surgery to the lower portion of the lungs benefited from the procedure, but their lung function degraded faster than in individuals with damage to the upper portion of the lungs. Other identified risk factors include advanced age, male gender and very low forced expiratory volume.
“We strongly believe that patient selection is one of the keys to success for this procedure,” Cooper said. “With rigorous preoperative preparation and stringent participation criteria, lung-volume reduction surgery appears to improve life expectancy and quality of life for patients who otherwise have very poor prognoses.”
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Time for LVRS
I have been holding off writing this blog. The less I think about it, the less real it seems. Nice that I picked now to be a scaredy cat!
I'll get to the essentials first:
On the 19th we will drive 5 hours up to Portland. We will make one pleasant stop along the way to meet one of my friends from the "Ex" smoking site that I belong to. I am really looking forward to that.
The 19th we will just drive and get to the hotel and rest.
I am finding that for long periods of time the vibration of the car on the road bothers my lungs and makes me cough. This is a new condition, or maybe not? I really haven't had many long trips in a car until recently.
The 20th I have a meeting with the surgical staff to go over the surgery and what to expect, what can happen, and answer any questions.
The 21st I will go back to the hospital to have a pre-op visit and have most likely blood work, maybe some testing like MRI or Ex-Rays or whatever. Then I am told to go back to the hotel and relax, eat a good meal and get a good nights rest!!! LOL I am sure I will sleep like a baby.
The 22nd I am to shower, wash and do my hair and this will be the only time in at least a week that I can shave my legs. This has to be done around 4:00 a.m. so I can be at the hospital in the surgical unit by 5:30 a.m..
Surgery is to last 3 to 6 hours. They will put 3 holes from my arm pit down on my side. They will repeat this on both sides, then put one hole either in my chest or in my back. These holes is how they will do the surgery. They will be using camera's, suction, a cutter that has a stapler attached. Then they will remove what they need to. Try and make sure there are no air leaks, which is common.
I will be in ICU at least one day, then taken to a private room where there is a bed for Bill or Brittney. I think they are planning on taking turns staying with me. They will have me up walking the first day out of ICU and keep it going a little longer everyday. I will be sitting in a chair a lot. Many people get pneumonia while recovering from these surgeries. So I will be upwards as much as possible.
I don't really have many comments about this, except to say if something were to happen to me... Jesus look after my family and give them strength.
I don't want to talk to much about fear. Because I have been prayed over and have healing in the lord. I also truly believe that either way "I" will be fine. Either I go to be with Jesus... or I come home to my family. It's my family I worry about. So... I won't go on any further.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as well as my family and my doctor.
I'll get to the essentials first:
On the 19th we will drive 5 hours up to Portland. We will make one pleasant stop along the way to meet one of my friends from the "Ex" smoking site that I belong to. I am really looking forward to that.
The 19th we will just drive and get to the hotel and rest.
I am finding that for long periods of time the vibration of the car on the road bothers my lungs and makes me cough. This is a new condition, or maybe not? I really haven't had many long trips in a car until recently.
The 20th I have a meeting with the surgical staff to go over the surgery and what to expect, what can happen, and answer any questions.
The 21st I will go back to the hospital to have a pre-op visit and have most likely blood work, maybe some testing like MRI or Ex-Rays or whatever. Then I am told to go back to the hotel and relax, eat a good meal and get a good nights rest!!! LOL I am sure I will sleep like a baby.
The 22nd I am to shower, wash and do my hair and this will be the only time in at least a week that I can shave my legs. This has to be done around 4:00 a.m. so I can be at the hospital in the surgical unit by 5:30 a.m..
Surgery is to last 3 to 6 hours. They will put 3 holes from my arm pit down on my side. They will repeat this on both sides, then put one hole either in my chest or in my back. These holes is how they will do the surgery. They will be using camera's, suction, a cutter that has a stapler attached. Then they will remove what they need to. Try and make sure there are no air leaks, which is common.
I will be in ICU at least one day, then taken to a private room where there is a bed for Bill or Brittney. I think they are planning on taking turns staying with me. They will have me up walking the first day out of ICU and keep it going a little longer everyday. I will be sitting in a chair a lot. Many people get pneumonia while recovering from these surgeries. So I will be upwards as much as possible.
I don't really have many comments about this, except to say if something were to happen to me... Jesus look after my family and give them strength.
I don't want to talk to much about fear. Because I have been prayed over and have healing in the lord. I also truly believe that either way "I" will be fine. Either I go to be with Jesus... or I come home to my family. It's my family I worry about. So... I won't go on any further.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as well as my family and my doctor.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
A hopeful update
It's been a long time since I have blogged. Shame on me! There were times I wanted to come here and write, but I did not want to complain, other times I didn't feel well enough to spend time sitting here using my brain to come up with words lost to me.
So much has gone on since I was last here, so this may be a long blog. Hang in there.... take a break and go for a walk if you get tired of reading! ;)
I will start with my emphysema which is what started this blog in the first place. I have had some rough times in the last months. There is a terrible heavy pain that used to come and go. Now it stays and I find myself taking pain medication and gritting my teeth through it daily. (I dislike pain meds very much) Because my lung function has declined so much now most of the new symptoms are showing up in my heart. I am now told to use SALT. For so long I had been dieting and had been told to stay off the salt, so it had been a few years that I wasn't using it. Now I find out that it will help raise my low blood pressure (68/54) or a little higher most times.
I was informed today by my Primary Care Dr. that when blood pressure gets that low it is trauma criteria. Who knew??? When I get really dizzy or my head gets fuzzy I go lay down with pillows under my feet for an hour or so, and it slowly rises. She told me I should be at the hospital then. I know the procedure.... I go into the emergency room... they take my vitals, check for blood clots, ex-ray my chest, give me pain meds and after about 4 hours..... send me home.
I also was put on Digoxion and was told today that Monday morning not to take my meds and to go back to the Dr. to get a Digoxion level. They think they may increase it to get my pulse rate down which still is running above 100 even resting.
My Pulmonologist sent me to Portland to see a CardioThorasic Surgeon about doing a Lung Volume Reduction Surgery. It took a few weeks to get all the paperwork sent up and then the beginning of June Britt and I went up to the Oregon Health Sciences Medical Center. The first day I saw the CardioThorasic surgeon and he went over my files and the testing I had done here by my Pulmonologist. He told us that he hopes that one set of numbers is wrong, because if they aren't wrong then it means I have a lung defect which disqualifies me for LVRS and puts me right into a double lung transplant.
So he scheduled a full day of testing in July that I will go back up for.
Then the 2nd day I saw an OBGYN Dr. concerning my hysterectomy and fibroid tumor that I need removed. She examined me and said that she would do the surgery, but first wanted me to see a URO-OBGYN, to see about putting a mesh sling in during the hysterectomy. Having two surgeries at once would put less strain on my heart and lungs.
I could not get an appointment with her then so I will see her in July when I come back for lung testing and hopefully scheduling this surgery.
The Cardio Dr. told me he was already made aware of this issue and suggested I have that surgery first so I would have time to heal and make sure there are no infections and everything is healed or healing nicely before he would mess with my lungs.
So actually I know nothing new... but I am now at the right hospital and talking to the right surgeons. I am hoping my next appointments with them will help me get some answers and maybe even take steps toward fixing some of this.
So, I believe I mentioned in my last blog that I had started to go to church again. I can't remember where I heard it but someone said they had also been a crisis Christian. Boy I hope I am more than that!
I am a child of God. I feel his spirit and have been healed. I still struggle with this however. God's goodness and forgiveness is sometimes hard to imagine in a world so much in chaos. Our Associate Pastor ordered a small pocket book written by Dodie Osteen. It's titled "Healed of Cancer".
She writes about being diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the liver, and with or without chemo or surgery she would only have a few weeks to live.
She went home and told her husband and they began to pray. She told her family she didn't want to hear the words cancer or death or sickness in their house. She asked god for healing and god always gives you what your heart desires. She read scriptures everyday, even as she felt the symptoms she would keep going... doing house chores, cooking, laundry and taking care of her family. Continuing to pray and thank the lord for healing and speaking of his healing words which she knew were acting in her body, even on those days she lay in bed unable to get up. She would push forward the next day.
Having total faith, never wavering and when she doubted she would first tell the devil to stand away that god had her in his care.
She was sent home to die, but God had a different idea for her.
She was healed 100%. Her doctors believe it was supernatural healing.
So I read her book every day and pray the same scriptures that she listed for healing and even though I pray to Jesus for healing and thank him, every once in a while fear and doubt sneak in.
I wonder why I am worthy? I am because I turned myself over to God.
I can say that I feel now so much more at peace and lighter.
My worries are just not there like they used to be. It caught me off guard at the Dr. this morning to hear words like terminal and 3 to 5 years survival. I had been all this time knowing that things were getting worse but just not paying attention.
Now instead of fearing what is ahead, I need to believe the doctors have healing power. That God promised it to me. When I have those moments (which are getting fewer and fewer) I rebuke Satin and restore my love and trust to the Lord.
I am doing my best to live the life he wants me to. After years away it is wonderful to be back and in a church that feels like home. So, I don't consider myself a crisis Christian. Just a child of God.
We went over Father's Day back to Bend to meet up with my brother and our cousin. Every year we meet to have a little memorial and to catch up with each other.
We had a beautiful suite right on the Deschutes River, extra comfy bed and a fireplace. We'll go back there next year. Everyone was so nice.
These are pictures of the spot where Mom, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Donna's ashes were spread. I love this cannon. It is so peaceful up there! I am not sure how many more years I will be able to make the climb, but I will go every year as long as possible.
So, after such a long silence...... I will be back to update after my Portland trip. Sorry to all of those who follow my blog for the long absence.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A hospital stay
It's been another week or so since I have written. Let me see, where should I start?
A few day after my last appointment with my Primary Care Dr. I was playing with Priscilla on the floor... on my hands and knees bouncing back and forth on my hands and she would chase them. I twisted wrong and felt a RIP and then immediately it started to burn. It was pretty late in the afternoon so I just took some extra pain meds and went to bed. When I woke up from a terrible nights sleep the next morning it was still burning like fire and I could not stand up straight, so I called her for an appointment.
I got into see her at 3:30 she saw the pain I was in... gave me 2 shots in each "cheek" and sent me to the hospital for a contrast CT scan. Shortly after I was admitted. This was Thursday. For the next 3 days they gave me Dilotid (sp?) and (Demerol) and both made me terribly sick. I had a terrible headache and was throwing up everywhere. Finally Saturday afternoon I asked the nurse to get a hold of my Dr. and see if I could be taken off those pain meds and just put back on my normal pain medication (Vicodin). Finally I began to feel better, I even ate dinner Saturday night, and came home Sunday evening.
I still have pain, she said a torn muscle will take some time to heal. Of course with every sneeze or cough or sudden movement I want to crawl out of my skin!! But, I am home and getting back to normal.
I went for my cardiologist appointment and he told me that I am showing signs of A-Fib.... which means suddenly I begin to sweat, feel dizzy and light headed and my blood pressure drops around 75/53. All I do is for about 45 minutes to an hour I lay down with my feet above my heart and breath. Eventually my blood pressure comes back up and I feel fine. He thinks it is my lungs that is causing this. He says so far my heart is healthy. It is just reacting to things going on in my heart.
Then I went to my Pulmonologist appointment later that day and he said my sleep lab hadn't changed from 2 years ago, so all is good there. His Respiratory Therapist told me she had talked to Stanford and they have sent my file to my insurance company for approval and once they have approval they will call me to come down for a evaluation.
So, I am practicing patience. I am not dwelling on being sick or having pain. I am doing my best to be kind to me every day. I am still losing weight, however the stay in the hospital with all the fluid they gave me had me gaining 7 pounds. 5 of which I have already lost and I am back on the protein shakes and one meal of 4 ounces of protein with plenty of veggies.
Once again... with any new news I will let you know.
A few day after my last appointment with my Primary Care Dr. I was playing with Priscilla on the floor... on my hands and knees bouncing back and forth on my hands and she would chase them. I twisted wrong and felt a RIP and then immediately it started to burn. It was pretty late in the afternoon so I just took some extra pain meds and went to bed. When I woke up from a terrible nights sleep the next morning it was still burning like fire and I could not stand up straight, so I called her for an appointment.
I got into see her at 3:30 she saw the pain I was in... gave me 2 shots in each "cheek" and sent me to the hospital for a contrast CT scan. Shortly after I was admitted. This was Thursday. For the next 3 days they gave me Dilotid (sp?) and (Demerol) and both made me terribly sick. I had a terrible headache and was throwing up everywhere. Finally Saturday afternoon I asked the nurse to get a hold of my Dr. and see if I could be taken off those pain meds and just put back on my normal pain medication (Vicodin). Finally I began to feel better, I even ate dinner Saturday night, and came home Sunday evening.
I still have pain, she said a torn muscle will take some time to heal. Of course with every sneeze or cough or sudden movement I want to crawl out of my skin!! But, I am home and getting back to normal.
I went for my cardiologist appointment and he told me that I am showing signs of A-Fib.... which means suddenly I begin to sweat, feel dizzy and light headed and my blood pressure drops around 75/53. All I do is for about 45 minutes to an hour I lay down with my feet above my heart and breath. Eventually my blood pressure comes back up and I feel fine. He thinks it is my lungs that is causing this. He says so far my heart is healthy. It is just reacting to things going on in my heart.
Then I went to my Pulmonologist appointment later that day and he said my sleep lab hadn't changed from 2 years ago, so all is good there. His Respiratory Therapist told me she had talked to Stanford and they have sent my file to my insurance company for approval and once they have approval they will call me to come down for a evaluation.
So, I am practicing patience. I am not dwelling on being sick or having pain. I am doing my best to be kind to me every day. I am still losing weight, however the stay in the hospital with all the fluid they gave me had me gaining 7 pounds. 5 of which I have already lost and I am back on the protein shakes and one meal of 4 ounces of protein with plenty of veggies.
Once again... with any new news I will let you know.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
More meds but no word from Stanford yet
It's been a week again. I am sorry for not keeping up on this better. It is Spring Break and so we are helping Britt with Layla more. She exhausts me. In a good way most days. She is a only child (more or less... Fernando has a daughter who is hardly ever around) and so she demands attention and doesn't play by herself very well. So, we read, we color, we watch her cartoons, we play ridiculous singing games.
I am not sure if I mentioned in my last blog that my blood work came back showing my thyroid levels were normal, but that my iron levels were very low.
Also, my CT scan for the Thyroid came back good only showing that my right lymph node was enlarged.
So, I went to my Primary Care Dr. yesterday afternoon. Like every time I have an appointment with her she cracks up at me. Nothing with me is ever normal. She cracked up about the "2 week" thing I seem to have going on. Every doctor, nurse, hospital says I will hear from them in "2 weeks"!
She increased my iron to twice a day for a month, then I'll have more blood work to see if it is rising. She found a long acting medication to take the place of Vesicare... I only take it once a day and it is supposed to not have the dry mouth side effect. I am waiting for my insurance company to approve the new drug.
She examines me and thumps on my forehead, cheeks and feels my throat, looks in my ears, makes me say AWE and tells me I have a severe chronic sinus infection and an infected lymph node on my right side. Which would explain why my neck hurt. She still wonders why my throat feels like it is hard to swallow, or my throat is narrowing. This could have something to do with my infection.
so... I am on anti-biotics (horse pills) for 30 days possibly longer.
Then she asks me about my problem with my Gynecologist?
I told her that I liked him when I had my first visit. He made me feel comfortable during his exam, and then took probably 30 minutes or more talking to me.... which I greatly appreciated. Then he scheduled me for the pelvic ultra sound and found the fibroid and enlarged uterus. But I never heard back from him or his office. I had to call his office for an explanation and then I didn't hear any news only that he wanted me to go to the Urologist in Medford. And, even then I had to hear all the results from my Primary Dr.. So, I told her my problem with him is just not hearing back from him and feeling like I have to be a mind reader to find out any information.
And, I told her I feel like he is afraid of me. I heard from some Dr. (I can't remember who) that he thinks I need to be sent to a much bigger hospital with a good respiratory department to undergo ANY surgery because of my lung damage and the real possibility that I will have problems coming off of a ventilator.
So, she (my Primary Dr.) tells me that she would prefer a surgeon who is cautious and knows that I have a problem being put under for surgery. That she agrees it would be frustrating not hearing from him or his staff regarding results... follow up appointments or something, but she said she would call him and discuss what is to be done.
I mentioned to her that the more I lose weight and my "middle" shrinks the more the tumor is bothering me and becoming painful. There is less fat for it to snuggle into and I have this lump that looks like a baby bump! lol
I have an appointment tomorrow for a Echo cardiogram and then a follow up appointment with my Cardiologist next week. Also next week I have an appointment with my Pulmonologist to go over the results of my sleep study. The following week I have an appointment with my Dentist. Whew..... Dr.'s Dr.'s Dr.'s!!
Tuesday I made an appointment to get my hair cut. It needs it so bad. All this medication is killing it and making it even straighter if that is possible. Plus it is just dead and dull. So, I am looking forward to that.
I will proudly say that I have went from a size 3x or 22 to a size 16 and those fit well, so I might even drop down another size soon. :) This makes me very happy. I needed to be at a lower weight for transplant and I am there. Of course I am on the high side of alright, so I have room to lose much more.
Church is continuing to bless me. My dear friend Kathie gave me a beautiful gift of a Woman's Study Bible, and she put tabs on it for me, so I can actually find what we are studying. Which reminds me.... my Primary Dr. asked me if I had gotten a hold of a counselor and started counseling? I said no, but I have started going to church which has helped with my stress and anxiety.
O.K. ..... I think that catches us up once again. I will as always keep you updated as I hear anything.
I am not sure if I mentioned in my last blog that my blood work came back showing my thyroid levels were normal, but that my iron levels were very low.
Also, my CT scan for the Thyroid came back good only showing that my right lymph node was enlarged.
So, I went to my Primary Care Dr. yesterday afternoon. Like every time I have an appointment with her she cracks up at me. Nothing with me is ever normal. She cracked up about the "2 week" thing I seem to have going on. Every doctor, nurse, hospital says I will hear from them in "2 weeks"!
She increased my iron to twice a day for a month, then I'll have more blood work to see if it is rising. She found a long acting medication to take the place of Vesicare... I only take it once a day and it is supposed to not have the dry mouth side effect. I am waiting for my insurance company to approve the new drug.
She examines me and thumps on my forehead, cheeks and feels my throat, looks in my ears, makes me say AWE and tells me I have a severe chronic sinus infection and an infected lymph node on my right side. Which would explain why my neck hurt. She still wonders why my throat feels like it is hard to swallow, or my throat is narrowing. This could have something to do with my infection.
so... I am on anti-biotics (horse pills) for 30 days possibly longer.
Then she asks me about my problem with my Gynecologist?
I told her that I liked him when I had my first visit. He made me feel comfortable during his exam, and then took probably 30 minutes or more talking to me.... which I greatly appreciated. Then he scheduled me for the pelvic ultra sound and found the fibroid and enlarged uterus. But I never heard back from him or his office. I had to call his office for an explanation and then I didn't hear any news only that he wanted me to go to the Urologist in Medford. And, even then I had to hear all the results from my Primary Dr.. So, I told her my problem with him is just not hearing back from him and feeling like I have to be a mind reader to find out any information.
And, I told her I feel like he is afraid of me. I heard from some Dr. (I can't remember who) that he thinks I need to be sent to a much bigger hospital with a good respiratory department to undergo ANY surgery because of my lung damage and the real possibility that I will have problems coming off of a ventilator.
So, she (my Primary Dr.) tells me that she would prefer a surgeon who is cautious and knows that I have a problem being put under for surgery. That she agrees it would be frustrating not hearing from him or his staff regarding results... follow up appointments or something, but she said she would call him and discuss what is to be done.
I mentioned to her that the more I lose weight and my "middle" shrinks the more the tumor is bothering me and becoming painful. There is less fat for it to snuggle into and I have this lump that looks like a baby bump! lol
I have an appointment tomorrow for a Echo cardiogram and then a follow up appointment with my Cardiologist next week. Also next week I have an appointment with my Pulmonologist to go over the results of my sleep study. The following week I have an appointment with my Dentist. Whew..... Dr.'s Dr.'s Dr.'s!!
Tuesday I made an appointment to get my hair cut. It needs it so bad. All this medication is killing it and making it even straighter if that is possible. Plus it is just dead and dull. So, I am looking forward to that.
I will proudly say that I have went from a size 3x or 22 to a size 16 and those fit well, so I might even drop down another size soon. :) This makes me very happy. I needed to be at a lower weight for transplant and I am there. Of course I am on the high side of alright, so I have room to lose much more.
Church is continuing to bless me. My dear friend Kathie gave me a beautiful gift of a Woman's Study Bible, and she put tabs on it for me, so I can actually find what we are studying. Which reminds me.... my Primary Dr. asked me if I had gotten a hold of a counselor and started counseling? I said no, but I have started going to church which has helped with my stress and anxiety.
O.K. ..... I think that catches us up once again. I will as always keep you updated as I hear anything.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
It's been 8 days since my last blog. I kept thinking I should blog, but was kind of waiting until I heard any news before I came here to share.
I have been so tired. I just have to make myself get up to do anything. I have been taking my nighttime meds and going to bed a couple hours early just to 1: get the day over with. And, 2: because I am so tired that I have a hard time staying awake.
Last Friday I called my Respiratory Therapist to find out if there had been any news. Their office was closed, so I left a fairly long message asking if they had heard anything? Reminding her that she said 2 weeks. I told her I had called my insurance company which said they have had no requests come through for me at all. I told her I was trying to be patient but I really needed some news, any news would help.
Monday morning I got a call from her and she explained that my paperwork was sent to the wrong place and she is tracking it down, that I should hear pretty soon.
Yesterday I got a call from Stanford. The new patient nurse explained my file had somehow been faxed to a different part of the hospital and she just got it. She told me they would look over it and get in touch with me for a consultation.
I asked her about a Respiratory Rehab Class? That there was not one within an hour of where I live. She explained that they overlook that there. That it is important because it helps patients get in shape and exercise their lungs and for those that need it they lose weight also.
I asked her what the weight on my chart said, and she told me at the weight listed I didn't qualify for surgery there. She said my chart read 197. I am not sure how old those charts are, but I told her I am at 185 now and still losing, and have begun to exercise again (even if it's only 5 minutes at a time). That I have went from a 22 pant size to a 16 and those are beginning to get lose.
She said that made all the difference and now they would be scheduling a 3 day evaluation and tests. That now they will begin with the financial part.... Meaning they will get in touch with my insurance company.
SHE told me that I should be hearing from them within 2 weeks.
That darned 2 week # kills me! I think just the fact I have shown that I will continue on with my weight loss and am not a patient that will sit there and not do ALL it takes to qualify helped me. So, the next 2 weeks I am pushing myself.
My primary care Dr.'s nurse called me last night and told me my blood work (a week ago) showed my Iron level is really low, so I am going to the pharmacy this afternoon and pick it up. She said I will do fine on it, except it will cause constipation. Can't the drug companies ever make anything that doesn't cause constipation? LoL.... No worries, I just upped my laxative's.
This week I have no Dr.'s appointments. Next week I have a primary care doctor's appointment and a EKG at the hospital and an appointment with my cardiologist.
In the meantime I have enjoyed going to Church every Sunday. There is a woman there who has helped me with scripture and some homework on growing and trusting the lord. I took Layla last Sunday to Sunday school and she said she really liked it. We'll see if she wants to go again this week.
So... there you have it. A little whining, a little frustration... but I am trying to learn how to let all that go and have Jesus take that on him and away from me.
I will update again as soon as I hear anything.
I have been so tired. I just have to make myself get up to do anything. I have been taking my nighttime meds and going to bed a couple hours early just to 1: get the day over with. And, 2: because I am so tired that I have a hard time staying awake.
Last Friday I called my Respiratory Therapist to find out if there had been any news. Their office was closed, so I left a fairly long message asking if they had heard anything? Reminding her that she said 2 weeks. I told her I had called my insurance company which said they have had no requests come through for me at all. I told her I was trying to be patient but I really needed some news, any news would help.
Monday morning I got a call from her and she explained that my paperwork was sent to the wrong place and she is tracking it down, that I should hear pretty soon.
Yesterday I got a call from Stanford. The new patient nurse explained my file had somehow been faxed to a different part of the hospital and she just got it. She told me they would look over it and get in touch with me for a consultation.
I asked her about a Respiratory Rehab Class? That there was not one within an hour of where I live. She explained that they overlook that there. That it is important because it helps patients get in shape and exercise their lungs and for those that need it they lose weight also.
I asked her what the weight on my chart said, and she told me at the weight listed I didn't qualify for surgery there. She said my chart read 197. I am not sure how old those charts are, but I told her I am at 185 now and still losing, and have begun to exercise again (even if it's only 5 minutes at a time). That I have went from a 22 pant size to a 16 and those are beginning to get lose.
She said that made all the difference and now they would be scheduling a 3 day evaluation and tests. That now they will begin with the financial part.... Meaning they will get in touch with my insurance company.
SHE told me that I should be hearing from them within 2 weeks.
That darned 2 week # kills me! I think just the fact I have shown that I will continue on with my weight loss and am not a patient that will sit there and not do ALL it takes to qualify helped me. So, the next 2 weeks I am pushing myself.
My primary care Dr.'s nurse called me last night and told me my blood work (a week ago) showed my Iron level is really low, so I am going to the pharmacy this afternoon and pick it up. She said I will do fine on it, except it will cause constipation. Can't the drug companies ever make anything that doesn't cause constipation? LoL.... No worries, I just upped my laxative's.
This week I have no Dr.'s appointments. Next week I have a primary care doctor's appointment and a EKG at the hospital and an appointment with my cardiologist.
In the meantime I have enjoyed going to Church every Sunday. There is a woman there who has helped me with scripture and some homework on growing and trusting the lord. I took Layla last Sunday to Sunday school and she said she really liked it. We'll see if she wants to go again this week.
So... there you have it. A little whining, a little frustration... but I am trying to learn how to let all that go and have Jesus take that on him and away from me.
I will update again as soon as I hear anything.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Still waiting
Just to fill in time waiting I'll fill you in on my daily life these days.
Last night I had another sleep study. I got there at 8:30 and by 9:30 the tech had me all wired up. They did the study with me off of O2, which I have to tell you made me very nervous. The tech told me they would be monitoring my O2 levels and give it as needed.
I woke this morning craving air, not dizzy, not fuzzy... just craving the air getting pushed into my lungs. He told me I would be hearing from my Dr. and I was home by 6:30.
I went to church again Sunday and there was a different person giving the sermon. She was amazing. She got up in front of us and said she had taken notes about what she wanted to talk about, but for some reason Jesus was telling her to go a different way.
So she came in front of me and began. She said that I should not feel guilty about coming back to Jesus, that he never left me, I just got lost, but found my way back. That all I have to do is just open my heart to him and he will take over.
I felt blessed!
I know I am a babe in Christ. I shouldn't have worry, or fear or doubt... I should trust him that things will happen when they are supposed to. ..... However... I am human and I can't stop dwelling on A Phone Call that I don't know when will come. Or will it be a letter with a bunch of paperwork for me to fill out?
Will I get down there and find out I don't qualify because I am not yet bad enough for surgical help?
If or when I hear from A doctor I will update. Until then I plan on hanging out with Layla and Priscilla.
Last night I had another sleep study. I got there at 8:30 and by 9:30 the tech had me all wired up. They did the study with me off of O2, which I have to tell you made me very nervous. The tech told me they would be monitoring my O2 levels and give it as needed.
I woke this morning craving air, not dizzy, not fuzzy... just craving the air getting pushed into my lungs. He told me I would be hearing from my Dr. and I was home by 6:30.
I went to church again Sunday and there was a different person giving the sermon. She was amazing. She got up in front of us and said she had taken notes about what she wanted to talk about, but for some reason Jesus was telling her to go a different way.
So she came in front of me and began. She said that I should not feel guilty about coming back to Jesus, that he never left me, I just got lost, but found my way back. That all I have to do is just open my heart to him and he will take over.
I felt blessed!
I know I am a babe in Christ. I shouldn't have worry, or fear or doubt... I should trust him that things will happen when they are supposed to. ..... However... I am human and I can't stop dwelling on A Phone Call that I don't know when will come. Or will it be a letter with a bunch of paperwork for me to fill out?
Will I get down there and find out I don't qualify because I am not yet bad enough for surgical help?
If or when I hear from A doctor I will update. Until then I plan on hanging out with Layla and Priscilla.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Another update. File on it's way to Stanford
So, life has gone on as usual. Me going to Dr. appointments and always waiting for answers which seem like they never come when they are promised.
I am just very frustrated.
My last Pulmonology appointment the respiratory therapist told me I should hear from Stanford within 2 weeks of them getting my file. I even asked again if it would be 2 weeks? Or should I be more realistic and think about a month or so? No... she said 2 weeks. That was on the 4th. Today is the 9th and she just called this afternoon and told me she just sent my file, so I should hear from them soon.
I have seen the Urologist like everyone wanted me to, and he told me what I have is a large tumor 4-5 pounds pressing on my bladder and has been there growing along with my symptoms for 5 years or so. It needs to be removed along with my uterus. To do that and put me on Vesicare my urine leakage problem will be solved.
I went yesterday for blood work at the hospital and today I went in for a contrast CT scan of my thyroid which she described as several small goiters. Goiters? Really? First I had heard of that. Anyway, who knows what will come from this.
My daughters best friend since grade school (who is like my own daughter) works at a mortuary. Actually Brittney just went to work there part time in sales to make some $$ while still going to school full time. Any way, they both came over yesterday and I bought a cremation package from them and bought a plot for Bill and I.
I have written my will and had it notarized. I have my advanced directive in place and my life insurance policies paid up.
I am remaining positive. I know it sounds like I am getting everything in order for me not to come home from surgery. Nope. I just want to have everything in order so I will have no worries. I have lost both parents and both times had my step mother and father steal everything from me and my brothers. My parents weren't prepared at all, had nothing in writing and their wills were a joke. So... I am just being careful.
I have felt TERRIBLE the last week. Every since I had that lung infection (I am still on the steroids from then) I have had that pain in my chest terribly. And, the last 2 days my normally on the high side blood pressure has been really low. I have cold sweats, then get freezing and then hot. My hands shake so bad I have to be careful when I pour things so I won't spill.
Today I actually was relieved to hear my file will be looked at next week at Stanford. Like I said though I still have no delusions that I will hear from them soon. If I hear within a month, I will be o.k.. Until you have been the one waiting and waiting to be seen and evaluated and hopefully be made better... you really don't know how exasperating it is and how it takes all your energy just to wait for something that your not even sure what it is.
It's getting to the point where I am taking my meds and going to bed earlier and earlier so I can just get another day past. Pretty sad isn't it?! I should be doing all I can to enjoy these last few days prior to surgery.
There are so many unknowns I can't even think about them anymore. I will get my answers when I get there and have no choice but to be patient until them. I have to let Bill and Brittney do some of the worrying about our house and dogs. I want to focus on surgery, therapy, and healing.
As always I will keep you updated.
I am just very frustrated.
My last Pulmonology appointment the respiratory therapist told me I should hear from Stanford within 2 weeks of them getting my file. I even asked again if it would be 2 weeks? Or should I be more realistic and think about a month or so? No... she said 2 weeks. That was on the 4th. Today is the 9th and she just called this afternoon and told me she just sent my file, so I should hear from them soon.
I have seen the Urologist like everyone wanted me to, and he told me what I have is a large tumor 4-5 pounds pressing on my bladder and has been there growing along with my symptoms for 5 years or so. It needs to be removed along with my uterus. To do that and put me on Vesicare my urine leakage problem will be solved.
I went yesterday for blood work at the hospital and today I went in for a contrast CT scan of my thyroid which she described as several small goiters. Goiters? Really? First I had heard of that. Anyway, who knows what will come from this.
My daughters best friend since grade school (who is like my own daughter) works at a mortuary. Actually Brittney just went to work there part time in sales to make some $$ while still going to school full time. Any way, they both came over yesterday and I bought a cremation package from them and bought a plot for Bill and I.
I have written my will and had it notarized. I have my advanced directive in place and my life insurance policies paid up.
I am remaining positive. I know it sounds like I am getting everything in order for me not to come home from surgery. Nope. I just want to have everything in order so I will have no worries. I have lost both parents and both times had my step mother and father steal everything from me and my brothers. My parents weren't prepared at all, had nothing in writing and their wills were a joke. So... I am just being careful.
I have felt TERRIBLE the last week. Every since I had that lung infection (I am still on the steroids from then) I have had that pain in my chest terribly. And, the last 2 days my normally on the high side blood pressure has been really low. I have cold sweats, then get freezing and then hot. My hands shake so bad I have to be careful when I pour things so I won't spill.
Today I actually was relieved to hear my file will be looked at next week at Stanford. Like I said though I still have no delusions that I will hear from them soon. If I hear within a month, I will be o.k.. Until you have been the one waiting and waiting to be seen and evaluated and hopefully be made better... you really don't know how exasperating it is and how it takes all your energy just to wait for something that your not even sure what it is.
It's getting to the point where I am taking my meds and going to bed earlier and earlier so I can just get another day past. Pretty sad isn't it?! I should be doing all I can to enjoy these last few days prior to surgery.
There are so many unknowns I can't even think about them anymore. I will get my answers when I get there and have no choice but to be patient until them. I have to let Bill and Brittney do some of the worrying about our house and dogs. I want to focus on surgery, therapy, and healing.
As always I will keep you updated.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Stanford and Prayer
So, it's been a while. I have had a few Dr.'s appointments and gotten some news. I needed to absorb it before I began to comment on what's happening.
It seems life goes along at a normal pace then for a few days it is a blur. A blur of fear, sleeplessness, upheaval and doubt.
I think in my last blog I mentioned that my Pulmonologist wanted me to come back in and re-do the Spirometry test they had done 9 days before. So, last Thursday I went in and re-did their test. Firstly I had lost 6 pounds in 9 days. Yeah for me.
My test results showed (confirmed) that my breathing percentage had dropped 32% in 11 months. They seem to think that was very fast and at that pace I needed to be sent to Stanford to have them take a look at me, especially for Lung Volume Surgery.
My Respiratory Therapist suggested I hold off on all surgeries or procedures and let Stanford deal with those. She sent me home with the words... you WILL hear from Stanford within 2 weeks. I even asked her if that was pushing things? And, she said NO. Once they receive my file they will want to see me.
In the meantime I had an appointment with my Primary Care Dr. who remember I had asked to be my go-between with all my doctors and procedures they wanted to do on me. Well, she said that she wanted me to keep all appointments..... even with the Urologist in Medford (which I had cancelled, now tomorrow early I have to call to see if I can still keep my appointment). She said that the Gynecologist is concerned about my lungs and surgery. He also wants to get all the results from the Urologist so that if something can be done with my bladder and urine leakage then both things can be fixed in one surgery. He (the Gynecologist) told her that he had been in contact with my Pulmonologist who said at this point with me he doesn't feel confident putting me under and putting a breathing tube down my throat. That IF I were to have any surgeries here they would do a spinal and keep me awake monitoring my breathing.
This made my Primary Care Dr. suggest that if this procedure is needed (which it is... I have a 4 lb tumor growing on my uterus), then perhaps it should also be done at Stanford.
So.... I have all this information, but yet I know NOTHING.
I don't know when I will go down there? I don't know how long I will need to be there? I have not been through a Pulmonary Rehab Class... and I have been told that is a requirement prior to surgery. If that is the case I would have to stay down there for the rehab because we do not have one within a hundred miles of me. I am not sure how long those classes are, but I think 5 days a week for at least 2 weeks.
I don't know if my insurance will help pay for traveling expenses. Stanford is about 7 hours away and I drive a Dodge Durango with a magnum V-8 which is great in the snow, but sucks the gas down like a little kid drinking a slurpy!
I don't know if Bill stays there with me if they will have housing for us, and how much it will cost to stay there? I don't know while we are gone what will happen to our dogs and house? I don't know anything and it eats at me.
Oh yeah... speaking of it eating at me..... my Primary Care Dr. (whom I love) says that I DO need counseling. That the amount of stress I am under right now and not sleeping will make any surgery or procedure harder on me. So, she is seeking a referral and will have them call me to make an appointment, and has increased my anxiety medication and the dose of what I take to sleep at night. I am up to 9 pills in the morning, and 1 at noon and 4 at night every day... plus 2 inhalers and my O2 of course. I spend more time filling my perscription holders than I do doing anything else.
So... when I know anything, I will spread the word. In the meantime hang in there with me.
Last week I had asked a friend of mine if I could accompany her to church? She picked me up this morning and I enjoyed myself and left with a feeling that I would be protected. It was the first time in about 13 years I had been to church and I actually opened myself up to the possibility of Gods love and devotion to me, and mine to him. Before I had always attended but never felt I was worthy of a relationship with Jesus. Today was somehow different. I left feeling like a weight was lifted, I am not as afraid. I will not lie and say I have no fear, because I do. But I know I am in Gods hands and I have so many praying for me.
So... This is my update. So much to take in, yet not much news. Welcome to my world! lol
It seems life goes along at a normal pace then for a few days it is a blur. A blur of fear, sleeplessness, upheaval and doubt.
I think in my last blog I mentioned that my Pulmonologist wanted me to come back in and re-do the Spirometry test they had done 9 days before. So, last Thursday I went in and re-did their test. Firstly I had lost 6 pounds in 9 days. Yeah for me.
My test results showed (confirmed) that my breathing percentage had dropped 32% in 11 months. They seem to think that was very fast and at that pace I needed to be sent to Stanford to have them take a look at me, especially for Lung Volume Surgery.
My Respiratory Therapist suggested I hold off on all surgeries or procedures and let Stanford deal with those. She sent me home with the words... you WILL hear from Stanford within 2 weeks. I even asked her if that was pushing things? And, she said NO. Once they receive my file they will want to see me.
In the meantime I had an appointment with my Primary Care Dr. who remember I had asked to be my go-between with all my doctors and procedures they wanted to do on me. Well, she said that she wanted me to keep all appointments..... even with the Urologist in Medford (which I had cancelled, now tomorrow early I have to call to see if I can still keep my appointment). She said that the Gynecologist is concerned about my lungs and surgery. He also wants to get all the results from the Urologist so that if something can be done with my bladder and urine leakage then both things can be fixed in one surgery. He (the Gynecologist) told her that he had been in contact with my Pulmonologist who said at this point with me he doesn't feel confident putting me under and putting a breathing tube down my throat. That IF I were to have any surgeries here they would do a spinal and keep me awake monitoring my breathing.
This made my Primary Care Dr. suggest that if this procedure is needed (which it is... I have a 4 lb tumor growing on my uterus), then perhaps it should also be done at Stanford.
So.... I have all this information, but yet I know NOTHING.
I don't know when I will go down there? I don't know how long I will need to be there? I have not been through a Pulmonary Rehab Class... and I have been told that is a requirement prior to surgery. If that is the case I would have to stay down there for the rehab because we do not have one within a hundred miles of me. I am not sure how long those classes are, but I think 5 days a week for at least 2 weeks.
I don't know if my insurance will help pay for traveling expenses. Stanford is about 7 hours away and I drive a Dodge Durango with a magnum V-8 which is great in the snow, but sucks the gas down like a little kid drinking a slurpy!
I don't know if Bill stays there with me if they will have housing for us, and how much it will cost to stay there? I don't know while we are gone what will happen to our dogs and house? I don't know anything and it eats at me.
Oh yeah... speaking of it eating at me..... my Primary Care Dr. (whom I love) says that I DO need counseling. That the amount of stress I am under right now and not sleeping will make any surgery or procedure harder on me. So, she is seeking a referral and will have them call me to make an appointment, and has increased my anxiety medication and the dose of what I take to sleep at night. I am up to 9 pills in the morning, and 1 at noon and 4 at night every day... plus 2 inhalers and my O2 of course. I spend more time filling my perscription holders than I do doing anything else.
So... when I know anything, I will spread the word. In the meantime hang in there with me.
Last week I had asked a friend of mine if I could accompany her to church? She picked me up this morning and I enjoyed myself and left with a feeling that I would be protected. It was the first time in about 13 years I had been to church and I actually opened myself up to the possibility of Gods love and devotion to me, and mine to him. Before I had always attended but never felt I was worthy of a relationship with Jesus. Today was somehow different. I left feeling like a weight was lifted, I am not as afraid. I will not lie and say I have no fear, because I do. But I know I am in Gods hands and I have so many praying for me.
So... This is my update. So much to take in, yet not much news. Welcome to my world! lol
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Low Blood Pressure and Cold Sweats
Yesterday was our Saturday overnight with Layla. She looks forward to this every week, and even though I didn't feel great I told her O.K. As it turned out Britt didn't bring her over until after 5:00.
I fed her dinner and got her bed and put it in my room then started feeling really sweaty, cold and dizzy. I took my blood pressure and it was 90/62. Low for me. So I woke up Bill. This was around 6:30. He got up and had me get my Jammie's on and get in bed with my feet elevated. He told Layla she could be my nurse and take care of grandma. The both took my blood pressure until it got above 100 then Bill went to bed leaving Layla to take care of me.
She lotioned my feet and legs and told me I didn't even have to pay her for it this time! LOL She took my blood pressure about every 5 minutes until I told her it was almost 9:00 and her bedtime. So, with her snuggled in her bed and Priscilla and I curled up in my bed we slept until this morning at 6:30 when I heard a little voice saying... grandma can you turn on cartoons for me? This woke up Priscilla who began to roll all over the bed, which made Layla get up in bed, which left me no room so I got up.
Today my chest hurts. I have that familiar pain mostly on the left side but more so in the middle. At times it is sharp, other times just dull enough to let me know it is still there. My blood pressure is bouncing from 100/80....good..... to 89-90/74..... which is low. so..I am just laying around trying to be calm and relaxed.
I don't know if this is part of the infection I had or have... or if it new? I think it could have something to do with my Thyroid. My neck and throat seem to really be sore the last few days.
We'll see next week when I hear from my Primary care doctor. I'll try and keep up and keep you all informed.
I fed her dinner and got her bed and put it in my room then started feeling really sweaty, cold and dizzy. I took my blood pressure and it was 90/62. Low for me. So I woke up Bill. This was around 6:30. He got up and had me get my Jammie's on and get in bed with my feet elevated. He told Layla she could be my nurse and take care of grandma. The both took my blood pressure until it got above 100 then Bill went to bed leaving Layla to take care of me.
She lotioned my feet and legs and told me I didn't even have to pay her for it this time! LOL She took my blood pressure about every 5 minutes until I told her it was almost 9:00 and her bedtime. So, with her snuggled in her bed and Priscilla and I curled up in my bed we slept until this morning at 6:30 when I heard a little voice saying... grandma can you turn on cartoons for me? This woke up Priscilla who began to roll all over the bed, which made Layla get up in bed, which left me no room so I got up.
Today my chest hurts. I have that familiar pain mostly on the left side but more so in the middle. At times it is sharp, other times just dull enough to let me know it is still there. My blood pressure is bouncing from 100/80....good..... to 89-90/74..... which is low. so..I am just laying around trying to be calm and relaxed.
I don't know if this is part of the infection I had or have... or if it new? I think it could have something to do with my Thyroid. My neck and throat seem to really be sore the last few days.
We'll see next week when I hear from my Primary care doctor. I'll try and keep up and keep you all informed.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
More concerns
Today was my Thyroid Ultra Sound. Bill was to go with me, but remember a call he needed to make so he couldn't make it. This seems to be a pattern where my doctors visits are concerned. I want him to be involved, to hear the steps I need to take, to hear the shape I am in, to know what to avoid and what is expected of me.
Any way... the Ultra Sound. During the ultra sound the tech found a small nodule on the upper right side of my throat/thyroid. She also found calcification in the middle of the band in the center of my throat. She also found my lymph nodes enlarged. What does this mean????? That IS the question of the day! She couldn't tell me. She said my doctor would have the results this afternoon.
Of course me being a curious one...(not such a good trait at times) I got online and Googled "Thyroid Ultra Sounds/nodule/enlarged lymph nodes. NEVER DO THAT!!! Of course every article I found scared me. And, Bill is sick and has been in bed since the afternoon... so I sit here concerned and trying so hard not to be.
It just seems like ONE MORE THING. How many times do I need to say ONE MORE THING? It seems like for the last 3 years I have had to deal with just one more thing. I am tired of things. I am tired of worrying, not sleeping, being preoccupied and missing out on chances for happiness because I am so preoccupied with sickness.
I will wait patiently for my doctor to notify me of my Thyroid results and the outcome from talking to my Gynecologist. I am going to practice patience. I haven't had them so far, so we'll see how that goes.
I had a friend who I met on BecomeAnEx.org (the best quit smoking site there is) introduce me (through Face Book) with a man that has had a Lung Volume Reduction Surgery at University of Washington. It has been about a year and a half he said. He was not on oxygen prior to surgery and his oxygen saturation level was better than mine. But he said he is doing fine. That the doctors told him the surgery is not life saving but prolonging. And, there could still be transplant in his future when the time comes.
This all makes me just want to get to Stanford and talk to the doctors, go through their testing and be reassured that my fears are viable and can be set to rest somewhat. By knowing about small things like housing, traveling expenses, family accommodations. All these things are things I worry about on top of the medical aspect.
I just feel odd tonight. Like there is nothing I can do to settle myself. I tried playing Face Book games, playing with Priscilla, talking to friends. Nothing. I came here to blog which usually lets me get out my feelings, frustrations and fears ... tonight not so much.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Just Breathe
I have nearly quit feeling sorry for myself. Why do I feel the need to have these days.... I do not know? I am beginning to feel more frightened and worried. I assume this is normal when having your lungs removed from your body is in your future. The thought of that just seems like death to me. I don't mean to be graphic but that's the picture in my head.
I did not sleep through the night after hearing the news until Sunday, my mind just would not turn off. I wondered about leaving Bill and Brittney and how they will get along. I know Bill will be fine, lonely but fine. But, I worry so about Brittney because we are so close. And, Layla too. She is at the age where she will miss me. This is all I thought about the next 2 or 3 days. Well, today is Tuesday. It's been 5 days since my Dr.'s appointment and I am O.K.
I have been reading all the information that was sent home with me and have found out that once approved and listed I need to be ready for surgery. Makes perfect sense. My body needs to be free of infection and healed from any surgeries.
Well... I had went to the Gynecologist which referred me to a Urologist to have testing done on why I am leaking urine? My Urologists appointment was today but I canceled it because of our recent snow and I am sick again. I have rattling in my lungs and a fever then the chills, and green sputum coming up when I can cough something up.
So... I am back once again on Prednisone and a Z-pack.
I got off track there for a minute. lol
Back to the Gynecologist and Urologist.... I initially went to the Gynecologist because of leaking urine, he wanted a ultra sound done which found my Uterus is almost double in size and I have a 8.2 cm fibroid tumor that is growing on it. He talked of a hysterectomy to remove my Uterus and the tumor... but first wanted a Urologist to do a specific test to see about my urine leakage.
Well, when I called the Urologist to reschedule the person on the phone told me I could get in March 5th, but it would not be for the test, just a consultation first then he would schedule the test for a later date. This could be one to two months down the road... then to send the test back to my Gynecologist, have him look it over and then make an appointment with me to discuss it... then to schedule the surgery either here or in Medford which would be another 1 to two months. So...
I called my Gyno yesterday and of course I couldn't speak to him, I spoke with his nurse. I tried to explain to her that YES, I initially came to him for bladder leakage, but now I am willing to live with that and now I need to have the hysterectomy ASAP.
I explained to her about going to Stanford within the next 4 months and prior to going I need ALL surgeries done and to be 100% healed. That they do not like to do surgeries after transplant because of the anti-rejection medications and the risk of infections.
She kept telling me she would talk to the Dr. and call me back. Finally she said that the doctor would talk to my Pulmonologist and get back to me.
Today I talked to my Pulmo's nurse (whom I adore) and she said she agreed with me. That the urine leakage is not convenient but not life threatening, and I could deal with that... but the fibroid tumor growing on an enlarged Uterus is something that needs attention.
So, I called my trusty Primary Doctor and when she called back I explained to her about everything. She said she would act as my liaison between all my doctors and try and get these things, including my thyroid done quickly and she would get back to me next week.
Whew!!!!!!!
I have decided since talking to a friend who is in North Carolina at Duke University waiting to be listed that I will feel more comfortable with all this after I can get to Stanford and talk to the doctors and staff about what will happen. There is just so much unknown right now.
I have developed a decent attitude. I am just throwing my arms up in the air and letting things go as they will. I have no control now. I put everything up to my doctors.
I can report that I am still losing weight. I am down to 190.4 I feel like I am losing more inches than weight. I am happy with my progress anyway. I feel confident that I can reach my goal of 175 by June. Hopefully more.
Well, I am tired, my meds are taken... my eyes are getting droopy and I feel like my eyes look. More later.
Friday, February 17, 2012
FAQ for Lung Transplant
FAQ: Lung Transplant
- How do I know if I need a transplant?
- How will a transplant change my life?
- Is the evaluation very difficult?
- How long is the waiting list?
- What happens when an organ is available?
- Is the surgery very complicated?
- How long will I be hospitalized after the transplant?
- Do I have to stay near the hospital after the transplant?
- Will I have pain after the surgery?
- Can my family stay with me?
- When can I drive? When can I return to work?
- What medications will I take after the transplant?
- How long does it take to fully recover?
- Will my insurance pay for the transplant and follow up care?
- When do I get the beeper?
- Is there a support group for patients going through transplant?
Some patients with severe lung disease may benefit from transplantation. Your cardiologist or pulmonary medicine specialist may refer you to a transplant center for an evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is twofold: first, to determine the severity of your disease and whether there are any more conventional treatments; and second, to determine whether you would be able to survive the transplant operation and have a good long-term result afterwards.
A successful transplant will dramatically improve your symptoms of lung disease. Many transplant recipients can perform the same physical activities and enjoy the same quality of life as normal people. All transplant recipients, however, are committed to daily drug treatment and close medical supervision for the rest of their lives.
The transplant evaluation is very thorough. In addition to specific lung tests, tests are performed to determine the function of all the major organ systems, screen for infectious diseases and cancer, and try and predict how well you and your family will cope with the rigors of the transplant regimen. Many of the tests, even the complex ones, are fairly well standardized and can be performed in your local community. Some tests may require you to be admitted to hospital briefly. We require that every potential candidate make at least one outpatient visit to UCSF Medical Center to meet with the transplant physicians, coordinators and social worker. Typically, most of the evaluation can be completed within a week or two. The transplant team meets weekly to discuss patient evaluations and make decisions on appropriate treatment. Patients who are felt to be good candidates for transplantation are then put on a national waiting list.
Unfortunately the waiting times for organ transplants are long. In 1996 in the United States, the average wait for lung transplantation was over a year. Each patient on our waiting list returns for an outpatient visit to our transplant clinic every two to three months or more frequently if necessary. While many patients can wait at home, sometimes it is necessary for patients to be admitted to the hospital to maintain them in satisfactory condition until transplantation.
When the transplant team decides that a potential donor is suitable for one of our recipients, we call their home phone number or page their beeper. It is not possible to predict when a suitable organ will become available and there is a limited amount of time to be able to recover the organs successfully. It is very important that we be able to locate the recipient quickly and get him or her into the hospital in a timely fashion.
This depends on your specific situation. The transplant surgeon will review the details of the surgical procedure, the risks of the procedure and the expected post-operative convalescence during the evaluation interview.
This depends on your specific situation. Although patients can recover sufficiently after lung transplantation to be discharged within 10 days, it is more typical for patients to be hospitalized for two weeks or more.
Most patients are discharged home after transplant. Although we do not have any specific requirement about staying close to the hospital during the early post-transplant period, the frequency of follow up visits and lab tests during this interval can be a problem for patients who live far away. The social worker can help you to locate guest housing in the area.
Generally, most patients do not report a lot of pain. You will have an incision that does cause pain and discomfort when coughing. We will give you pain medication and specific instructions to lessen the pain.
Your family can accompany you until you go into the transplant surgery. While you are in the intensive care unit, family members may not stay in your room. If you require assistance with locating guest housing, a social worker will be able to help you. We have very open visiting hours and encourage family members to be present. If your visitors are ill (flu or colds), they should not visit you. This is to protect you from the infection.
You may drive after two to three weeks, once your incision is healed. You may return to work after two to three months from the transplant surgery
You will be on three main immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) medications after transplant. Along with the immunosuppressive medications you will need to take several preventive medications against infection.
It generally takes three to six months to fully recover from the transplant surgery. Age and previous medical history problems may cause the recovery period to take longer.
We have a financial counselor who will verify your insurance. We will obtain authorization for your transplant and follow up care.
You will get a beeper after you are placed on the transplant waiting list. Since this is a free program through the LifePage Program, it may take several weeks for your paperwork to be processed and for a beeper to be issued to you from the local pager company.
We have a support group for patients on the waiting list and post-transplant patients. You will be notified of the support group meetings and the topic each month.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 2, 2012
Last updated February 2, 2012
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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