Saturday, January 10, 2009

I had a long appointment with Dr. L yesterday.. we talked about my diagnosis and what is to be expected in the upcoming months/years. He is not treating the HP yet, because the only treatment for my type (it's an autoimmune disease) will be to suppress my immune system with a form of chemo. Not my idea of fun, but it may become an evil necessity.

I have to continue to use my CPap machine and in March I will have another CAT scan and 6 minute walk test. If the results of these show no improvement or if my are not stable, then we will have to start seriously consider treatment.

Dr L told me in his 15 years of pulmonary medicine, cases like mine cause him the most problems... because he has to think so much, lol. He said some cases become chronic, some just go away, and others come and go. Right now, mine is considered chronic. I'm one of his 'smoldering' cases.. my problem is not gone and could flair up into a raging fire if we don't watch out.

I also have to lose weight.. like I didn't know.. and start excersizing again. Not much (before all this, I walked/jogged about 5 miles 3 to 4 times a week), but as long as my oxygen level doesn't go below 85 I it's okay. As far as my weight, I am considering a medically supervised diet plan, iMetabolic (www.imetabolic.com)
I have to call on Monday and schedule a consultation.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Why no posting, well, to put it simply.. depression. I don't do much of anything the past three weeks, besides what I have to do (cooking, housework, laundry, grocery shopping, school things). Some days I don't feel like getting out of bed, but I do and carry on like a good Mom/Wife is supposed to. Joy, Joy.
I think a lot of it has to do with my medical problems. I'm tired of doing everything my doctors tell me to, and still, I feel like crap. I'm just tired of it all.. can't I just go back to bed and pull the covers over my head until it passes? ::sigh:: This too will pass.

Happy Birthday to my Husband. Nothing special planned, he and I don't think much of our birthdays (who wants to be reminded of how old we are, lol). I will bake him a special batch of his favorite cookies and make him a pork chop dinner (also his favorite) and give him money towards a new set of tires. Yes, it's practical, but welcome to my practical life.. whether I want it or not. lol

The weather here has been nice. We had our white Christmas and since then, although cold, it's been beautiful. Yesterday I was walking around outside with a t-shirt.. it was in the low 50's. Today is supposed to be even more nice, but then it changes again.. rain/snow tomorrow. Gotta love Northern Nevada weather.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy 2009 One and All

I hope you all had a safe and fun night last night. We stayed home and enjoyed the evening with our family... playing DS games and laughing (plus eating.. a coffee tabled filled with finger foods was our dinner).

Out of curiosity, I did another addition of the amount billed to our insurance... I know I've said it before and will say it again, thank goodness for insurance.. and the grand total, from July 22 to Dec. 31 is $77,841.30 (not including the CPap machine). It is shocking (well at least to me).. I don't want to add up what has been out of pocket, but I will soon.


Have a great New Year, and New Year's Day, enjoy the Rose Parade and your family.