helo sawdusky
Got your message.....have been out and about this morning; had to do a bit of walking and that took a lot out of me. Sucking up some oxygen ( and a cup of tea) at the moment. I was diagnosed at Christmas (nice gift) and was back in hospital at Easter. Had some tests done last week and go to the specialist on Monday. Who knows what he will tell me. Don't give an inch though and keep punching!!!!!OxfordnsÂ
Replies
Thanks for responding - I\'ve been hoping to have someone to respond. I\'ve been on prednisone for about a year for fibrosis. My fibrosis was caused by a
cancer drug (I also had prostate cancer and just completed radiation treatments) and prednisone seems to have stopped the progression. My doctor did a biopsy of my lungs a year ago and we have hope that the disease will not get any worse. However, the prednisone has increased my blood sugar by about 100 points. Up until the pred. I could control the sugar with
metformin pills. Now I have to take injections of insulin to prevent damage.
Sorry to go on about my situations but it seems that when you get older you
need more courage and strength to battle the body\'s breaking down.
Best wishes for your situation. I\'m glad to hear you\'re still exercising! I think
exercise is probably the best thing we can do both for our mental health as well as our physical health.
P)lease do not apologize for \"going on\" about your situation... I don\'t consider it going on at all. We aare in the same boat...I don\'t trouble my wife with my thoughts all that much (have always kept my own counsel in a sense, I guess). I was originally though to have something akin to \"pigeon growers disease\" because we have had a dove for approximately 25 years. At Christmas, after a hospital stay, biopsy and various tests, the medical people ascertained that my illness seemed to have the earmaarks of that which can be caused by proximety to pigeons ( and doves etc). I was told that before I could be released from hospital we had to get rid of the bird and fumigate the house etc etc. My wife took care of all that (the bird is now happy and still healthy in a house with other birds a few miles from here). However towards the end of March...early April..AFTER my Predisone medication was stopped, I started to slip once again into the same mendical condition. So..it wasn\'t the bird, apparently. After another hospital stay I have been told (A) I will be on Predisone for at least six months or (B) forever. As well I have been prescribed Imuran so...who knows what the future will bring..... Thus far I have not ben made aware of any side effects but get test results of recent hospital trip when I visit the lung specialist on Monday. I truly do not know what to expect...........
best wishes to you and to all.........
(Going to a southern gospel music concert tonight ( Lumber River Quartet)....love that kind of music.....
Oxfordns
PS: I turn 66 in August..hopefully...
PS: Whoops..just noticed the misepelling..NOT Sawdusty..sorry
I just reread your last journal and feel like we have a lot in common. I don\'t all my thoughts with my wife either but she would like me to. I think some of my thoughts would cause her more concern than if necessary. I too have have been exposed to birds and their droppings. When I was a small lad my grandfather raised chickens and I helped him take care of them. That included cleaning out the hen house occasionally. Consequently I tested positive for histoplasmosis (a disease that can leave scars on the retinas of your eyes and other things) - so maybe that is what caused scarring in our lungs after all those years. I\'ll be sure to ask my dr. I\'m glad to hear you\'re out and about - going to concerts and things. Tomorrow night my wife and I are going to dinner and a play with friends. When I don\'t do anything strenuous I don\'t need oxygen so our friends don\'t know I have it. We always stop at a Dairy Queen after the play and get a hot fudge sundae. We have been going to summer theatre plays for about ten years and really enjoy them. The last one was Cotton Patch Gospel. It about how Jesus grew up and then did his thing. However, it was written for current times and had very good hill billy music. With the modern day language it really made you think. Today I played tennis (with oxygen) and then had a high school student help spread mulch. He is going in the army in August and is a really nice kid. Let me know what\'s happening with you and yours.
Best wishes for a good summer with lots of friends and family activities.
Sawdusty (\"Sawdust\" was my father\'s nickname)
Good morning Sawdusty. Very damp here in Atlantic Canada (been raining for days)... I suspect we do have many things in common..If I were to really reveal my feelings and concerns to my wife I agree that it would cause her even greater worry than she has. None of us are immortal, of course, but thoughts of \"packing it in\" don\'t exactly appeal to me. I\'m impressed that you can play tennis..I could not do that...even a bit of walking has me out of breath. But as long as you CAN do it I suspect you SHOULD. I have been advised by a wise man to \"never give an inch\" and I believe thats the best course of action. MY wife is marvellous...she looks after me (even more than I actiually need at times)...has a part time job, looks after the grand kids.....never seems to stop. I don\'t know how she does it. She has a birthday coming up this weekend and we\'ll have a small family celebration (as awell as a wedding we have to attend on Saturday). Nice to get out....as you note.....sounds like an interesting play you attended...(we went to the southern gospel music concert I referred to ane enjoyed it but I was kind of tired after it was over so we didn\'t stop for coffee and donuts as we sometimes do). Tim Horton Donuts is the HUGE Canadian donut chain..(our version of Dunkin\' Donuts).
You sounds like you are really doing quite well (I haven\'t used the portable oxygen when going out, either) although I have taken it with me in the van a couple of times....just in case.I wonder if the birds HAVE been the cause....I used to smoke quite a bit but quit 25 years ago (or more)....but the specialist said the problem I have is not associated with smoking.
Well..my wife just went to work so I guess I\'ll do a few things...clean the bathroom for her etc..
I do NOT KNOW where any of would be without the fine wives we have been fortunate enough to marry......I count my blessings as we close in on 44 years of marriage!!!!!!!
Take care of yourself and keep on keeping on , as the saying goes!!!
Hello again. I\'ve been on vacation since last Friday. My wife, my eldest son and his two sons (10 and 12), and my step-daughter and her to sons -
also 10 and 12) have been having a great time! We are in central Virgina near Harrisonburg at a resort called Massanutten. It is in the mountains and is quite beautiful. Right now they are all out on the river on tubes. I didn\'t go because I can\'t get in the sun due to the cancer drugs I\'m taking.
It was a good thing I didn\'t go because I had to use the \"facilities\" on a very short notice. The radiation treatment has left me with not very much control over those functions. I haven\'t needed oxygen here yet because I haven\'t participated in activities requiring a lot of energy. I have two tanks of Ox. that would give me 6 hrs. of support. Have you asked your dr. for portable Ox. tanks. It sure makes my walks easier and a lot more comfort-
able. Right now I\'m watching the Wembledon tennis tournament and enjoying some quiet time. Yesterday my wife celebrated her 70th birthday.
She said it was her most memorable birthday. Her grandsons fixed her breakfast and served it in bed (without spilling anything!). Her daughter had paper streamers everywhere along with balloons and birthday banners. Her grandsons also prepared our dinner and sang Happy Birthday. After dinner \"grammy\" elected to play a dice game and then dominos called \"chicken foot.\" We laughed long and hard all evening.
It truly was a great family night. My wife has stated that she didn\'t want a party. However, since we are on vacation I decided to have a surprise party for her on July 18. So far she doesn\'t suspect anything! There will be about 50 of her famil and friends there. I\'ll keep you informed of the progress. I am so thankful for everyone\'s support and feel fortunate to have a large family and circle of friends. I know you must feel the same way. I bet you\'re looking forward to your 44th anniversary celebration. Let me know what\'s being planned. Best wishes for a good summer and your 66th celebration also.
r
HOwdy: It sounds like you\'re having a wonderful time at the resort; seems like forever since we have been anywhere. Going go a multi year high school reunion at the end of July; hopefully that will be enjoyable, meeting people I have not seen in decades. I have been busy all week working on a new patio/deck atmy daughter\'s house. (Actually what I have been doing is trying to not get in the way too much since carpentry is another of the trades I have little knowledge of. A friend of mine is a real handyman and he and nother friend and myself are renewing what has become rotted out during the years. Raining here this morning though so I\'m unsure if the project will be on hold today. Tomorrow (Friday) I have a blood test appointment at the hospital so I can\'t do any \"building\" until afternoon. I have been taking my oxygen with me and plugging it in and using it off and on. So far, so good........
Yesterday was Canada Day (same as your July 4th) but we worked on the deck and my wife and daughter barbecued steak for our noon \"break\" and later made waffles for afternoon break.. We are in the process of boarding in the floor and then have to reinstall the rail and do a few other things to finish things off.....
Support of family and friends is marvellous.........without my wife and two dauaghters I would be LOST. Our son lives in China with his wife and son but he is coming home for a visit in August (with his son.....because of work, his wife cannot make it this time). I assume there will be some sort of family party for my 66th ( or maybe I am presuming too much?????).
We really haven\'t thought much about our 44th; will probably just go out to a nice restaurant. Today (July 2 ) is an anniversary of sorts for me, being the day I started my working career in 1962. Seems like `yesterday`, although it is nearly 50 years ago. Wow....where DID the time go...
Well I gotta run along...ealy morning here and I have a couple things I have to do in case we do work on the deck this morning....
Continued best wishes................
Hi - Long time no hear and no write. How\'s the deck coming along? Hope it\'s finished by now. A lot has happened since I last wrote. After our week at Massanutten we came home and had our N. Carolina crew accompany us. We thought we would only have the grandsons but dad decided to work from our house - so they were here for a week. Last week I went to see a surgeon about my non-functioning gall bladder. He agreed with the previous diagnosis and recommendations to remove it. When he asked when I would like it out I said \"How about tomorrow?\" He said OK if we can schedule it. His scheduler said the earliest would be Tuesday at 7:30am. (That was July 14 of this week) So I had my gall bladder removed! See the journal entry at my site and read about the operation. The operation was like nothing I ever experienced. Here it is two days later and I have no pain and have my energy back but I can\'t play tennis nor drive the car. I even had the surgeon take a picture of the gall bladder before he removed it. He also autographed it when he visited me after the operation. Enough about me - what\'s happening with you? Your friend
Carl p.s. My email address is carlyboy@wans.net if you like\'d to send a message that way. It would be more private.
Howdy\" The deck was finished some time; don\'t know how much help I was but I DID seem to get tired out. My son (who is comcing from China with HIS son in a couple of weeks...for a a visit) had his gall bladder out a couple years ago and, like you, was back on his feet in shsort order. I had a routine visit from the nurse this week.....she advised me to use my oxygen to a greater degree.....I HATE being tethered to the damn thing!!~!!
Going out for supper with close friends tonight and lookimng forwarad to that.
Gotta run/..grandkids taking over the computer...........
best wishes and do take care
Cheers
Hope you had a great dinner. I also know about kids and computers - my grandkids do the same thing when they are here. I\'m felling kinda\' lucky with no gall bladder complications and only needing oxygen on exertion. My shortness of breath still is a problem and I have to remember to go at a slower pace or stop and wait. That even happens when I\'m wearing the tank although I seem to recover quicker. I think the supplement I\'m taking is having a positive effect. I don\'t hear myself wheezing as much. I\'m having a surprise birthday party for my wife tomorrow. She thinks we are celebrating the birthday of my son who just turned 50. There will be about 40 good friends and family there. It will be at my other son\'s house who will be 49 in November. I have four sons and feel lucky that they are in good health. My son in North Carolina has finally told his wife that she has to go into a health facility for 30 days to overcome her addiction to alcohol. Such a terrible thing!! They have two sons who are asking \"What\'s wrong with Mom?\" The facility uses the 12 step program and has a 67% success rate. I wish we could find doctors who could cure 67% of patients like us. I hate this disease too!! Just when you try to do something you run out of energy and have to sit down. I find that it is best for me to take deep breaths before I start doing anything and I last a little longer before I have to stop. However, I\'m determined to not let it change my life too much. As soon as I can get over this g.b. thing I plan to begin an exercise program while wearing oxygen. I hope to really push myself to see if it helps my breathing and stamina. What are you doing for exercise? Sometimes when I monitor my pulse it gets up to around 140 but goes down quickly.
The dr. said that it was OK. Hey, it\'s 11:30 and time to go to bed. Talk to you tomorrow. Take care and keep up your spirits.
We did have a great dinner (with old friends)...I was a bit tired by the time we got home ( I suppose I should be using the portable oxygen...)
My grandkids are in another province today (the oldest plays soccer on the area\'s provincial team). I gues sthey are having a good time..which is great. Their mother (our daughter) and their father arer divorced ( and..no, I don\'t really KNOW why). He remains welcome in our house and I honestly do not know what caused the break up. Modern life I guess......who knows?? Too bad about your daughter in law\'s addiction: alcohol is a powerful drug. I agree on you wish for such a success (cure) rate for this lovely disease. I keep hoping for a break through; there have been tremendous advances in cancer treatment, for instance.I agree with your decision to not give up, as it were. I have done a bit of gardening in recent days, although it does cut off my wind when I bend over. Part of my problem is lack of patience also becvause I have always been one to attack a job and work like the devil in order to finish it. ( I never said I did the GREATEST job, but I always wanted to get it done and get on to the n next one). And, as you know, exertion plays hell with you. I have to learn to go slower and easier..As far as exercise I have to admit that I have not been doing much. We have had a lot of rain....I was going to start walking a bit and still plan to do that although I cannot walk too far (guess I could do a bit more with the portable).
Just a bit after noon on Saturday here.... wife is out to the grocery store or mall at the moment....maybe I\'ll make a cup of tea and see if Turner Classic Movies has any good westerns on.
Cheers..............................
Hi again,
Have been doing a lot of moving around. Went to granddaughter\'s surprise birthday party for her husband (his 30th). Drove about 100 miles one way and saw all their friends and our relatives. It started to rain and we all went inside. Their were about 10 kids there about 3 months to 4 yrs old - can you imagine the confusion and noise. My wife and I left shortly after that. It\'s no wonder that we all have kids at a young age!! I also now know why that group all drink a lot.
Hi again,
Have been doing a lot of moving around. Went to granddaughter\'s surprise birthday party for her husband (his 30th). Drove about 100 miles one way and saw all their friends and our relatives. It started to rain and we all went inside. Their were about 10 kids there about 3 months to 4 yrs old - can you imagine the confusion and noise. My wife and I left shortly after that. It\'s no wonder that we all have kids at a young age!! I also now know why that group all drink a lot.
Didn\'t mean to end the above so soon. Have been walking each morning at a brisk pace for about a half-mile without oxygen. It takes about 11 minutes and my ox. level goes down around 80% and pulse is over 135. After two minutes the o level is back up over 90% and pulse is around 100. I\'m trying to get the old body to get used to less oxygen. It may take a while but I\'m determined to try to get back to normal or at least reduce the time I have to spend on oxygen. I played tennis today for an hour and a half and was on oxygen. The temp was 90degrees (F) and humidity to match. When I got home I had to take a long nap. It seems to me that the food supplement Neprinol is helping. It seems give me more energy and my breathing is somewhat better. I go in for another C.T. of the lungs next month so I\'ll find out then. If there is no improvement, I\'m going to Johns Hopkins Hospital for another opinion and perhaps better treatment. I hope you are doing better. Talk to you later....
Howdy: Sounds like you are doing not too badly...I don\'t walk much without being out of breath. Had to get up on a chair to do a tiny bit of sanding after fixing a minor problem with a wall and that almost wiped me out. Did it without oxygen although have been using it quite a bit. Been really humid here and have the A/C going much of the time (not central air, unfortunately). Going to the big reunion this weekend; hope I do OK.
I must say I\'m really impressed with your walking; doubt I could do anyways near that well. Good luck with that.
Your party sounds fine EXCEPT for the noize.......kids are great but I `did my time`with little ones, although grand kids are here a lot and my son and his son (aged nine) is coming from Asia next week to spend two or three weeks here. Should not be too bad though.....
Really humid here today and I feel it.............
Cheers...........