Friday, August 27, 2010

"And Now, The Weekend Update. "

HHello everybody. I am so sorry that I haven't been around to visit all of you. And some new people too which I feel so badly about. I am starting to feel a bit better today but truthfully I haven't felt at all like reading or commenting.
It all started on Sunday morning. My husband woke up feeling really sick. He has COPD so when he gets sick, he gets really sick.

I was feeling kind of funky but I just wrote it off as the end of the steroids from the poison sumac which is completely gone now thank goodness.

Monday morning proved me wrong. My husband managed to get into see our doctor's new helper doctor, who was young and alright I guess but just wasn't as familiar with my husband as our own family doctor was. But none the less he prescribed two different antibiotics for my "big man husband". He was slightly skeptical of the dosage, for good reason. I will elaborate later.

This bug of sorts was located in my husbands chest. As mine was. I don't have COPD so I thought that I would tough it out. The steroids that I took the previous week did such a number on me that I wanted nothing to do with anymore medications of any kind. Besides I had a doctors appointment for Friday as a follow up to my bloodwork. If I still felt sick I would tell him then.

Well come Wednesday morning after having a fever for two day and my lungs feeling as though they had a rubber band wrapped securely around them, I called the doctors office. By now I had pretty much lost my voice from all of the coughing which made telling our nurse, Candy, how I felt a bit difficult.

Within an hour our doctor had called in a prescription for ZPack for me. In the meantime since my husband has COPD we own a nuebulizer, so we were both doing breathing treatments which did give me some relief. Not much but some. My husband was feeling a bit  better but still felt that steroids is what he needed. The new young doctor, I think, was afraid to give them to him.

What an awful week friends. My husband and I tag teamed cooking and walking the dogs. Although I think that he did most of the work. I was craving homemade soup. And wouldn't you know it, this week I had nothing to make any with.

So here it is Friday. My doctor, our family doctor who I think we love, was going to see me. And I was dragging my husbands butt in with me damn it. Yes our doctor has taken care of us both at the same time for the price of one in the past and I was sure that he would do it again.

As I said previously, this appointment was made as a follow up to blood work that I had to have done. So first I will tell you the results of that blood work. I am actually quite excited. First of all my blood pressure is great again. Not good but great! I was also tested for R.A. which I really didn't think that I had but they wanted to be sure because my arthritis is so bad. I don't have it. More great news. Now here is the exciting part for me. I dropped my cholesterol even more, all on my own. I am on medication for it but when they tried to raise the dose I got very sick so they lowered it again. But by eating right I lowered it within forty points of what he would like it to be.

It is actually fine for a normal person but since I've had two strokes he wants it even lower. I never claimed to be normal have I ? 

I told my doc that I am planning on moving forward with the knee surgery. Right now, I can not walk for more than ten minutes let alone workout anymore.

I also told him that I felt confident that I could lower it more once I could move better once again. I am an active person. I hate to sit. This has been a nightmare for me. So, I will be moving again.

My doctor felt that I was pro active enough that I could lower the cholesterol even more on my own. 

And then he said something horrible. After listening to my lungs, he wan't me to take steroids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I begged and pleaded, I said NO. I can't handle those again!! So he said o.k.and gave me a shot instead. And an inhaler. O.K. I can deal with that! He also gave me about $90.00 worth of samples  of my regular meds! 

This is great news since my husband had to take another week off of work. It really helps a lot. Than he gave my husband the steroids that he needed, at no charge. I told you this guy is great.

Before I left I just had to ask him, even though he had a hard time hearing me, "Am I healthy enough for the knee surgery?". He said " Oh yes!, But you need to stop talking so much.". O.K. I know my voice was just a whisper and I was a bit hard to hear. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if he was being my doctor at that moment or a man. I'll have to give this some thought.

So we are home now and my husband is all hopped up on steroids playing video games as I type this. My throat is a bit sore but I am definitely breathing better this evening. And I am feeling much, much more confident about the knee replacement today.

I have been off my feet for almost an entire week. The bit of walking that I did today really made me realize that this is something I need to do.

I can't end this without a mention of a good friend of mine who passed away last weekend. We met through church eight years ago but also had other family ties previous to becoming church family members. He was a wonderfully supportive friend to me in my job. I can honestly say that next to my Pastor, he helped me more in my job than anyone there. Being a church secretary is not as easy as one would think. This warm and friendly man did all that he could in all of the offices he served to help me. 

He was a friend. I will surely miss his warm and caring attitude. He had a rough battle with cancer this past year. He leaves behind a loving family. He will be missed. May God Bless you Ron, and please, say Hi to my mom. 

19 comments:

Lynilu said...

Oh, Di. That sounds like a terrible week. I'm so sorry you and Jake have been so sick. I truly hope this is over and you will both be on your feet again.

And I'm sorry about your friend. That is so hard. Peace to your heart.

Rest and recover. We want you back!

Sending love and hugs.

Barb said...

Hi Di, You sound pretty sick and so does Jake. I hope by the weekend, you'll be on the mend. However, even when you're sick, you can tell some funny stories! Hopefully, Katie doesn't catch the bug from you and jake.

Maria said...

Hi Diana!
I'm glad to read that you and Jake are on the mend... It does take a while with those awful chest viruses.

Your doctor IS an angel! Isn't it great when they really serve the "whole person" ~ just a wonderful feeling to know you're not just another person walking in and out of their office.

I hope you get some chicken soup ~ it's so good when you're sick or healthy!

Congrats on your cholesterol numbers. I'm on Crestor ... it's been doing it's job so far!

Sorry to hear of your friend from church. When someone has touched our lives like that ~ it's a heartfelt loss.

Wishing you wellness and some restful times ~
love,
Maria

Gail said...

HI DI-

Phew. Lots to deal with. I love that you and Jake take care of one another and share the "load" . Loos like you have some good news to celebrate about your health and some hurdles too. sigh.......... You are a trooper.

Itis our birthdays/anniversary tomorrow. Skipp is on vacation for fivedays so I ma going to push through the pain and get out and about. Nothing heroic! :-) I am doing okay with managing this setback and still hav a ways to go. We are picking up my Mom at dialysis later. I made her favorite meal, eggplant parmesian - and we are bringing her some key lime pie. :-) She is so very brave.
Keep getting better.

Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....

Sabi Sunshine said...

Dear Di,

Don't worry reading the comments and visiting.. Just take care of yourself.. I am pretty sure everyone will understand your situation and will cope with it.
Get some rest!

Sending you sunshine on your way!

Love
Sunshine

Vicki said...

I'm so sorry that you have had so much illness and am praying that it will be over and done with and both of you will feel great soon. What great news about your blood pressure and cholesterol! Way to go!
It's good that you're feeling more confident about the knee surgery I hope it will make you feel like a new person!
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I will pray for comfort and peace for you and his loved ones.
Blessings, Vicki

Anvilcloud said...

You both have had quite a time of it, but you seem to be on the verge of good heath. Yay.

Snowbrush said...

Lots of news!

I'm sorry for your loss of a good friend, and for your and your husband's illness.

When you say knee surgery, I take it that you mean a replacement. The good part is that these are extremely common surgeries that most often go very well. People who have them commonly say that they only wish they had done it sooner. The bad part is that any surgery is scary and expensive. The recovery period is also somewhat drawn out, but it's not too awful in most cases. My sister had hers in December, and she's doing well, and no doubt you will too.

Arlee Bird said...

Sounds like you all have been through the wringer this week. But it also sounds like you have a pretty good doctor. Glad to hear it's getting better for you.

Sorry about losing a good friend. It's difficult to have to see dear ones depart like that, but a better place awaits.

Glad you're back.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Rebecca said...

Congratulations on all your GREAT numbers! I'm jealous. But I'm very sorry about the no good, very bad, horrible week you both have had AND the passing of your friend, Ron.

Myself? I have a face swollen badly and felling like it's on fire - itching, etc. My left eye is about closed. Poison ivy? I don't know. I WAS pulling weeds and know I handled 1 piece of it...but I thought I was careful and washed up!

My brother & SIL are coming from N. Carolina today and we're celebrating his 60th tomorrow with my other siblings & parents. I will swallow my pride about how I look and participate. Sigh.

Hope your health returns soon and that the knee surgery is soon part of your history.

Lois Evensen said...

I'm so sorry you both feel so bad. I hope you are both better very, very soon. Yes, I understand sometimes the medicines are as bad as the illness. :\

Hugs,
Lois

Tranquility Speaks said...

Oh my Diana! I feel so sad to read of you and your husband battling ill health! I really really wish and pray that the knee replacement surgery goes well for you.And that you are freed of all the medications you've had to take.
I also pray your husband gets well really soon, but still stays home to get some well deserved rest.

I'm sorry to hear of your friend Ron passing away. Colleagues are the biggest blessings and make the worst of work seem like fun. I wish you good health and happiness Diana :) Take care!

Wanda..... said...

Hi Di, what a post...bad news and good news intertwined. Both of you getting so sick at the same time, that's togetherness. I was afraid you had pneumonia. Somehow your post and Barb's slipped right by me, I'm gong there next. Barb is right... you're funny even when feeling your worst.
♥& Smiles...Wanda

Cindy said...

Diana, so sorry you have been feeling so sick. I am so sorry about the passing of your friend Ron. I wish you and I could both walk together and we could figure out what normal is...lol. just do your best, and don't overdo it. hope you are well in no time. blessing to you and Jake.hugs.

jules said...

Sounds like you sure had a rough week. Hope you are feeling better now...

Teresa said...

Hi Di,
So sorry to hear about your friend, and that you and your husband have been so sick.

However, I am glad to hear you have been eating healthy and all the good news is wonderful. Soon you will be running a marathon!

I miss you. ((((HUGS)))) T

Terrie said...

Hi Di, I want to know one thing...Where on earth did you find that doctor and does he know a decent doc here in UT? I'm glad to hear that you've decided to go ahead with the surgery and congrats on getting those c-numbers down.

Take care, Hugs to you
Terrie

Simone said...

I hope this message finds you feeling better, both you and your husband.

You have good humor, despite all that is going on in your life.

Simone

Jenny said...

Oh Di. Sending prayers and healing and hugs and hope to all of you.