Flickr Image by Rafael Edwards
So yesterday I was ranting and raving on twitter and facebook. I got a call from the research nurse whose been my contact for the lung surgery study; she informed the company who is sponsoring the study about my reactions to the first procedure: the asthma exacerbation and the pneumonia. They called her back and said that because of the pneumonia, they want a minimum of six weeks between procedures to be sure that my body is healed and able to handle the next procedure. So I had to call work and give them the update and call the person who has been my ride (If I drive myself, I have to be admitted overnight.) I have a very tentative date of September 25th for the next procedure. I'm not holding my breath. :P
I understand the company's concern, and I too want to be as healthy as possible for the next procedure. Which is part of why I'm frustrated. Not only is the wait aggravating, and the constant re-scheduling a nuisance for my employer, but it's the beginning of ragweed season where I live. Ragweed is a major allergen for me and every September, about halfway through the month, I get a sinus infection and an asthma flare. I have no reason to believe that this September will be any different. Of course, when that does happen, you know it will postpone things yet again. At this rate, we'll be into 2013 before I have all three procedures.
I also have to keep changing my blog calendar to accommodate all of the changes. I had deliberately kept the summer light as I knew I'd be having the procedures and wasn't sure how I'd react to them. Now I have to look at my fall schedule, see what I can get done ahead of time, and keep blog tours, etc. to a minimum. I don't want to have to cancel reviews and events at the last minute due to health reasons like I did last November when I ended up in the hospital. I am glad I already decided to scale back my Banned Book Week celebration this year; it runs September 28th through October 6th this year.
So yesterday, I was in a pissy mood for much of the day, and had to go offline for a bit and de-stress. My cat and a good non-review book helped. I'm better today and determined to see this through.
The lung section on the right, the severe asthma one? That's me. I'm hoping that when all of the procedures are done, my lungs will be the moderate one. That's still not great, but the best I can hope for with current medical knowledge and procedures.
Well hang in there. In the end it won't matter when the procedures get done--just that they get done. :-)
ReplyDeleteBea, sweetie, step back and take a deep breath. I understand anger and frustration, but sometimes you just have to accept that you can not control your environment only yourself and let go of your stress and worry. I don't have to tell you that all this stress will only make your asthma worse. Huge hugs and just keep your schedule light, bake your employer a nice cake and try to stay indoors during that ragweed season. This is what you can control. Stay as stress free as possible and universe will smile at you, and things will sort themselves out. Sending you good wishes and best of luck xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm better today. I didn't expect the process to drag out so long. Glitches happen, but they're still annoying.
ReplyDeleteTrying to control my stress level is definitely key. Staying indoors in harder; at school we go outside everyday, sometimes for several hours. My co-workers don't like it when I try to minimize my time outside, it feels burdensome to them. So, there will be a sinus infection and an asthma exacerbation; painful, annoying,and expensive but unavoidable.
5 weeks and counting (assuming we go with the earliest possible date) :)
Oh cupcake, I understand your frustration, but also understand their concern. Stay healthy, keep your schedule light and read more non-review books with kitty. Take care of the things you have control over, and the rest will some how take care of itself. {{hugs))
ReplyDelete"Stay healthy" - that's the trick. I am doing what I can. Kitty cuddles are always good. :)
DeleteI love your picture of the screaming kid. I feel like that sometimes too. I am familiar with trying to work around sick periods with operations. I had my hysterectomy in the summer when my asthma is nil. There is no way I could have done in the winter and spring. My surgery was delayed for a month and they put me through a whole month of heart and vein testing to make sure that I would survive the upside down position for six hours. I have sarcoidosis too but it is not bothering me much now. The thing is when the surgery is finally over and you have recovered from it, you will so glad!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Carol
I love that picture, as soon as I saw it I knew I had to use it. :D
DeleteYou had to be upside down for your surgery? Oy. I hope it all went smoothly and you are doing well now.
Hi please don't give up and try to keep postive. I know that is easier to say than do. But i am thinking of you. Do you have to wear a mask to keep breathing in the rag weed when you go outside. Make sure you wash your hair alot. That will help. That will keep you from breathing in whatever you were around during the day. they says it longs in your hair, I will keep praying joannie
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteI do wash my hair often and change clothes when I come inside. I do whatever I can do keep the evil pollen at bat. :P
Oh, hang in there girl! Just get thru this and in the end, it'll all be worth it. This is such a small amount of time in life, a great big hassle, but the payoff potential could be worth it. My sister in law has CF so I kind of know what you're going thru... thinking of ya!!
ReplyDeleteThe potential payoff is what I keep thinking about to keep my spirits up.
DeleteThanks!
*Hugs* I think you have the perfect plan...keep your schedule light so you can focus on getting stronger..and fill in your free time with pleasure books and soft kitties!
ReplyDeleteNow if I could just stop requesting books and downloading freebies :D But I do have lots to read and the cat is happy to curl up on the couch with me.
Deletebooga booga
ReplyDeleteThat was me, Bea, testing out commenting after receiving an email from someone who had trouble commenting.
Delete