The beginning of my story
Greetings everyone. I am about 7 weeks out from my 2nd PE at the time of this writing. At first I wasn't thinking of doing journals. I found it through a web search when I was looking for stories from people who have also had PEs. I do occasional blogs on Wordpress.com ( http://thisismyjourneyoffaith.wordpress.com ). After sending a hug to one of the members who is depressed today I came to the conclusion I need to start telling my story, and the journal entries would be the way to do it.
My journey begins in 2006 with the death of my Dad from Parkinson's. In June of that year I had a nervous breakdown. I had started to call myself a big fat dumb shit so much that I started to believe it. I walked out of work, and a few days later I left the house with the intention of running away. A couple of hours later I came back to my wife and son's loving arms.
In December I was working on finishing up my BS degree in software engineering, so one could say I was stressed out. I started getting winded - climbing a flight of stairs tired me out. On New Years eve I decided to pay attention to my wife and go to after hours care. My O2 level was 90% sitting, definitely a major problem. An ambulance was called and I was put on O2. A VQ scan diagnosed a PE. I was put on heparin, had the lovenox shots, and proceeded to get better. I'm not afraid of needles since I had allergy shots from age 7 until 21. Giving myself the lovenox shots was easy for me. I was taken off the heparin and put on coumadin, and after 6 months of coumadin therapy, the risk of a 2nd PE was considered minimal, so I discontinued it. My Rheumatoid arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea put me at higher risk, so it was considered a statistical fluke.
After my nervous breakdown I started to follow a spiritual path. I participated in the Fire the Grid meditations (www.firethegrid.com). There were 3 global meditations. They were organized by Shelley Yates, who had a Near Death Experience, the end result being the global meditations.
My wife and are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this fall. She has been a constant source of support and inspiration. A few years ago she took the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius in the 19th annotation. Saint Ignatius lived about 500 years ago. His path lead him on a path to belief in God and daily meditations. I find it a source of inspiration. In the fall of 2012 I started the exercises myself, which took me through to spring.
I had my 2nd PE in January of 2014 I had my 2nd PE. Even though I did not need O2, in many respects it was worse than the first one. I had multiple emboli in each lung. In addition there were signs of an infarction in the lower lobes of each lung, which means that damage is permanent. However, the Dr. stressed that the portion of the lungs that were not damaged can compensate. When I was in the hospital I came to the conclusion that I survived for a reason, that God was not letting me die at this time.
As time progresses I will tell my story. About it for tonight.
Mike
My journey begins in 2006 with the death of my Dad from Parkinson's. In June of that year I had a nervous breakdown. I had started to call myself a big fat dumb shit so much that I started to believe it. I walked out of work, and a few days later I left the house with the intention of running away. A couple of hours later I came back to my wife and son's loving arms.
In December I was working on finishing up my BS degree in software engineering, so one could say I was stressed out. I started getting winded - climbing a flight of stairs tired me out. On New Years eve I decided to pay attention to my wife and go to after hours care. My O2 level was 90% sitting, definitely a major problem. An ambulance was called and I was put on O2. A VQ scan diagnosed a PE. I was put on heparin, had the lovenox shots, and proceeded to get better. I'm not afraid of needles since I had allergy shots from age 7 until 21. Giving myself the lovenox shots was easy for me. I was taken off the heparin and put on coumadin, and after 6 months of coumadin therapy, the risk of a 2nd PE was considered minimal, so I discontinued it. My Rheumatoid arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea put me at higher risk, so it was considered a statistical fluke.
After my nervous breakdown I started to follow a spiritual path. I participated in the Fire the Grid meditations (www.firethegrid.com). There were 3 global meditations. They were organized by Shelley Yates, who had a Near Death Experience, the end result being the global meditations.
My wife and are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this fall. She has been a constant source of support and inspiration. A few years ago she took the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius in the 19th annotation. Saint Ignatius lived about 500 years ago. His path lead him on a path to belief in God and daily meditations. I find it a source of inspiration. In the fall of 2012 I started the exercises myself, which took me through to spring.
I had my 2nd PE in January of 2014 I had my 2nd PE. Even though I did not need O2, in many respects it was worse than the first one. I had multiple emboli in each lung. In addition there were signs of an infarction in the lower lobes of each lung, which means that damage is permanent. However, the Dr. stressed that the portion of the lungs that were not damaged can compensate. When I was in the hospital I came to the conclusion that I survived for a reason, that God was not letting me die at this time.
As time progresses I will tell my story. About it for tonight.
Mike
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