The Diary Of Onebrokelady Aged 60 And A Half

Onebrokelady

jwil said:

Glad you are improving and had a decent appointment!

Thanks 🙂milann said:

Pleased to hear you’re improving and feeling a bit better. Don’t go rushing back to work too early. 

Thanks 🙂

Onebrokelady

Well that weekend went a bit off course. I ended up in hospital on Saturday in the emergency assessment unit because my blood test indicated I might have a blood clot in my lung. They did some tests and decided that I don’t have a clot so that’s good. Luckily DD1 wasn’t busy so she was able to take me.

I did do a lung function test while I was there and it showed my lung capacity is only 55% at the moment which is not good. They also did an X-ray that showed my right lung has shrunk slightly where it is being pulled by the fibrosis. They didn’t need to treat me on Saturday but the bright side of this is that the very nice doctor that I saw is going  to speak to the consultant who I’m going to be seeing to get my appointment hurried up so I might not have to wait too long now to be seen. 

I had to go for a walk down our very long hospital corridor with a doctor and an oxygen monitor so they could see how my oxygen levels drop when I’m walking, we didn’t get very far until they dropped down to 88, they are recovering a lot quicker now though so that’s good.

I went to DD2s after I came out of the hospital and I have now been able to tell her what is wrong, she didn’t take it very well which I knew would happen but she will come to terms with it in time.  

I’ve spoken to my surgery and got them to sign me off for three more weeks but they have written breathing problems query cause on the from even though I told them I’ve been told by the hospital that I have pulmonary fibrosis. I will get them to rectify that for the next one. My surgery have not been very good with this whole thing to be honest but hey ho hopefully they will get their act together once they have heard from the hospital.

Yesterday I tidied up the patio so I can sit outside and I got my furniture from the loft. I sat and read my book in the sun for an hour and it was lovely. I’m determined to use my garden this summer as much  as possible. Last year I hardly used it at all and I regretted it once the winter came round. It’s sunny but too chilly to sit out today but I have done two loads of washing and got them out on the line to dry. 

foxgloves

What a relief it wasn't a blood clot, OBL. You have quite enough to contend with atm without that. Hope your appt might get hurried along now. Take care,
F x

jwil

Sorry about the hospital visit but hopefully it will speed things up.

Willowtree222

Another glad it's not a blood clothes but sorry you're still having so many health difficulties. Hopefully he will do as he has said and will get that appointment ASAP.

X

milann

Sorry to hear you ended up in hospital. Hopefully your GP will improve once they have the notification from the hospital. I bet you’re relieved now Dd knows about your condition. Enjoy the sunshine. I think it’s going to break just as Dd and the gks arrive before Easter…my southern son in law is convinced it always rains here 😂😂😂

Cherryfudge

Sorry to hear you ended up in the emergency assessment unit, though it's good you can rule out a blood clot, and that your sats are recovering better. It's good too that you could talk to your daughter about it: a hard thing to do but so is keeping secrets, and as you say, her initial reaction will wear off and you will have someone you can talk to more openly.

I hope you get to sit out in the garden more: it's been a bit chilly here today despite the lovely blue skies. I'm also determined to spend more time in the garden.

Onebrokelady

Hi everyone I’m still off work but things have moved on slightly

The rheumatologist that I see does a joint clinic with the respiratory team I’m going to be seeing and they had their MDT last week so he phoned me with a plan. 

It seems they are confused as to why I have these lung problems as apart from Covid or a possible autoimmune condition it doesn’t make sense It also doesn’t make sense that despite a scan showing quite bad damage my symptoms so far haven’t been too bad unless I have a chest infection According  to my scan results I should be sicker than I am. So they are wondering if the steroids I’m on are masking my respiratory symptoms ☹️ .

 I now have a plan of action, so I’ve got to reduce my steroids down faster than I should be so instead of 9mgs I have to take 7.5mgs a day for 4 weeks then 5mgs a day until I’m reviewed by the rheumatologist then in 6 weeks time I’m having another HCT scan which will also include my stomach and pelvis as well as my lungs, this is to rule autoimmune illness along with lung function tests. I have to wait 6 more weeks due to having a recent infection and to make sure the steroids are at the lowest dose possible so it doesn’t skew the results.They have also referred me for pulmonary rehab which will be very useful as I am exercising gently but really need to know how to do it safely. I ordered myself a walking pad so I can get my steps in whatever is happening and that will arrive next Friday. The only problem with reducing my steroids this quickly is I am likely to have a flare up of PMR so I have to monitor that and contact the Rheumatologist if that happens. 

In non health related news I had a lovely week last week pottering in my garden and by doing literally 15 minutes at a time I have been able to tidy it all up and get the patio cleared so I can sit outside ( when the sun comes back 😀)  This week it’s been too cold and today it’s been chucking it down all day which is good because the garden needed it desperately. DD 2 has been on holiday this week so I went over there for tea and a catch up ,she was meant to come over here to take some things from the loft but has a nasty case of bursitis in her left hip so no going up and down ladders for her. 

dawnybabes

Glad theyve got a plan together and you can get some answers x 

Cherryfudge

Things are never simple, are they? I hope the steroid reduction goes okay, I remember it's not easy.

The gardening sounds just what I need to do - I sometimes struggle to get any time in and the weeds laugh behind my back.