Well my heart and I are still around! So far I have lost 22.6kg (about 3.5 stones) since 2nd September. Basically it was made up of all the fluid my body didn't expel for whatever reason and I have been dragging around for the past few months. It explains why I have been so tired and run down and the difference now is very noticable as I can get into and out of my car easily now! Plus I'm not breathless the whole time and I can make it to the top of our stairs without collapsing in a heap!
I'm having another ECG on Monday (arranged by my cardiac care team) to try to narrow down what may be causing my heart problems, at least I know my cholesterol level is fine - 2.2 may even be a little too low!! (I've been told my GP has these figures yet he told me it was high last week... Another reason to move, I object to being lied to by someone I'm supposed to be able to trust)
One big plus I've had this week is I seem to have found my voice again! I assume it was underwater somewhere and is no where near as strong as it was and I'm not usre what my range is now - but at least I can start working on it again! I am so looking forward to singing in the car again! Whatever car I get next I want to be able to play my ipod through it! It feels so good to be able to enjoy being surrounded by music again.
Now the hard work starts - I need to continue losing weight, but now it is weight rather than fluid - but I will stay on the water tablets to make sure the build up can't/won't start again, but now I know what I'm on the look out for. I lnow if I have a weight increase over 1-2 days I phone my cardiac nurse and we increase the water tablet dose to stop the build up before it gets a grip again...
I am still off chocolate...not sure if Cadbury's have been warned, but I'd rather have an apple at the moment! After the nurse left this afternoon I was a little peckish, so I had an apple and loved it! I get fruit sugars that are better for me plus no salt etc to have to worry about! I've already been told the reduced salt stock cubes I buy are a good idea and to avoid processed food as much as possible as there will probably be loads of salt - not always that visible! I need to convince myself I like more vegetables now...I can't really rely on salad over winter and potatoes don't count! Bread is pretty much empty calories so no point relying on thay either! Although at the moment I have such a lousy appetite I just need to get myself eating again!
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Reports of my demise have been exagerated!
The last few weeks are probably best as being described as challenging!
It all started at work when were were all dragged into a meeting to be told the finance team is being restructured and there will be redundancies. To say this was a shock to everyone was a bit of an understatement and the following day was not the easiest or most comfortable I had ever experienced - but reasons for that were way outside the realms of my work place!
On the Friday as I was leaving the Finance Director had a chat as she was worried about how ill I looked! I promised to use the lift etc and look after myself, thankfully we had a few days to get the forms of what we wanted (redundancy) filled in. I went into my meeting early as I was feeling terrible and I booked an appointment with my GP for lunchtime. He signed me off for a week (just walking into the surgery left me out of breath) and sent me to the hospital for some blood tests. He also gave me a print out about my heart as he is addicted to people never leaving without handfuls of paper. When I arrived at the hospital I was told I was supposed to make am appointment - but as they weren't busy they just took the blood! I was tired so I headed home - thankfully not to bruised! Mikey and I headed to Nanny and Grandad on the Friday, I had a very embarrassing experience...one of my 'signs' of something being wrong is that I've retained an awful lot of fluid, my GP wasn't bothered, gave me some water tablets that did nothing and I was trying to cope. We went to Hempstead Valley for much - I got into the seat attached to the table, didn't eat much as my appetite is still hit and miss, but trying to get out was nearly impossible. Then halfway up the walkway I just ran out of energy - I couldn't walk any further. I made it back to the car and pretty much collapsed into there and once were were back Mum and Dad sent me home via my Drs. I couldn't get an appointment when I went in, but the Dr called me back and gave me an appointment - I messaged Andy to meet me there.
I had been told on Thursday that the GP who sent me for the blood tests wanted to go through the results with me himself - so I was given an appointment on 11th September (this was at the end of August) The Dr I saw on the Friday said he was sending me straight to hospital! Thankfully I was allowed home to get a bag packed and then arrived at A&E but was sent directly to CDU. I think that worried Andy more than me as I have little recollection of my time there in 2008! I stayed on CDU until late afternoon on Saturday when I was moved to Cambridge K Ward - a cardiac ward as it turned out I was in heart failure. Bit of a shock as it appears I'd been ill for a while and have probably actually had a heart attack at some point...I think my trips up and down the M20 have been lucky for me and everyone on there with me!
The first task for me and my medical team was to get rid of the sheer amount of fluid I was dragging around with me - basically putting extra strain on my heart, The water tablet dosage was fiddled with and I was weighed every morning to make sure I was peeing it all out! I was also limited on my total liquid intake a day! So far, up to today, I have lost 19kg or 2.99 stones in 2 weeks! This has helped me feel better, but I'm still feeling very tired and have a limited amount of energy available at the moment, but it is getting better every day. I'm still an out patient and my kidney function is closely monitored as it the sheer amount of medication I'm currently taking! I'm seeing the Cardiac team on Thursday and my Cardiac Nurse is coming to see me on Wednesday, I feel lucky and very well looked after. My consultant, Dr Ann Fisher, is lovely and my first reaction on meeting her was that I couldn't remember her name, but I liked and trusted her. Andy has since googled her and she is decidedly impressive! An Oxford Medical degree and trained at John Radcliffe, well published and an expert on the type of help I need.
It all started at work when were were all dragged into a meeting to be told the finance team is being restructured and there will be redundancies. To say this was a shock to everyone was a bit of an understatement and the following day was not the easiest or most comfortable I had ever experienced - but reasons for that were way outside the realms of my work place!
On the Friday as I was leaving the Finance Director had a chat as she was worried about how ill I looked! I promised to use the lift etc and look after myself, thankfully we had a few days to get the forms of what we wanted (redundancy) filled in. I went into my meeting early as I was feeling terrible and I booked an appointment with my GP for lunchtime. He signed me off for a week (just walking into the surgery left me out of breath) and sent me to the hospital for some blood tests. He also gave me a print out about my heart as he is addicted to people never leaving without handfuls of paper. When I arrived at the hospital I was told I was supposed to make am appointment - but as they weren't busy they just took the blood! I was tired so I headed home - thankfully not to bruised! Mikey and I headed to Nanny and Grandad on the Friday, I had a very embarrassing experience...one of my 'signs' of something being wrong is that I've retained an awful lot of fluid, my GP wasn't bothered, gave me some water tablets that did nothing and I was trying to cope. We went to Hempstead Valley for much - I got into the seat attached to the table, didn't eat much as my appetite is still hit and miss, but trying to get out was nearly impossible. Then halfway up the walkway I just ran out of energy - I couldn't walk any further. I made it back to the car and pretty much collapsed into there and once were were back Mum and Dad sent me home via my Drs. I couldn't get an appointment when I went in, but the Dr called me back and gave me an appointment - I messaged Andy to meet me there.
I had been told on Thursday that the GP who sent me for the blood tests wanted to go through the results with me himself - so I was given an appointment on 11th September (this was at the end of August) The Dr I saw on the Friday said he was sending me straight to hospital! Thankfully I was allowed home to get a bag packed and then arrived at A&E but was sent directly to CDU. I think that worried Andy more than me as I have little recollection of my time there in 2008! I stayed on CDU until late afternoon on Saturday when I was moved to Cambridge K Ward - a cardiac ward as it turned out I was in heart failure. Bit of a shock as it appears I'd been ill for a while and have probably actually had a heart attack at some point...I think my trips up and down the M20 have been lucky for me and everyone on there with me!
The first task for me and my medical team was to get rid of the sheer amount of fluid I was dragging around with me - basically putting extra strain on my heart, The water tablet dosage was fiddled with and I was weighed every morning to make sure I was peeing it all out! I was also limited on my total liquid intake a day! So far, up to today, I have lost 19kg or 2.99 stones in 2 weeks! This has helped me feel better, but I'm still feeling very tired and have a limited amount of energy available at the moment, but it is getting better every day. I'm still an out patient and my kidney function is closely monitored as it the sheer amount of medication I'm currently taking! I'm seeing the Cardiac team on Thursday and my Cardiac Nurse is coming to see me on Wednesday, I feel lucky and very well looked after. My consultant, Dr Ann Fisher, is lovely and my first reaction on meeting her was that I couldn't remember her name, but I liked and trusted her. Andy has since googled her and she is decidedly impressive! An Oxford Medical degree and trained at John Radcliffe, well published and an expert on the type of help I need.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Still feeling rough and decidedly pi55ed off
I am still coughing...the noise I create varies from loud to completely disgusting and likely to make people around me feel sick...
The lymphodema has spread upwards and I am now running out of clothes I can comfortably wear and I look far more pregnant than I ever did whilst expecting Mikey!
Yesterday was yet another trip to the Dr. This time it was the one who yells at you...apparently this is due to him going deaf. Maybe he should consider a hearing aid... but he did double check the report from my last X - ray. The report highlighted an issue with my heart. I am 100% sure this wasn't mentioned when I was initially given the results but given my current breathing problems it is now being taken seriously...weeks later.
Understandably I am not happy. They seem to only be reading part of the reports they are getting back. So what else are they missing for other patients?
I was sent off to the hospital for some blood tests, apparently there is a long waiting list at the surgery and he wanted the tests done ASAP. .. ironic considering I could have had them done weeks ago! On arrival at the hospital I discovered you are supposed to make an appointment rather than just turn up. I would have expected him to know this, but I'd imagine he has decided to disregard it! Thankfully they weren't busy and had soon extracted loads of blood...It looked decidedly thick and gloomy (a technical tern) so just waiting for the results now.
I am hoping/expecting them to come back clear.All I want is to get rid of this cough and get §one sleep. Tomorrow will mainly be spent napping as I have Mikey around on Friday so no chance to relax!!!
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Fed up
I will apologise now...I am feeling decidedly sorry for myself. The cough is now a very annoying squeaky noise and I am totally unable to have a simple conversation without at least one major coughing fit taking over.
My main issue, I feel is my lack of control over what is actually a natural reflex designed to shift the gunk out of my lungs. Unfortunately I seem to have used it as means to eat and then expelled the food. The other crazy thing is this stupid lymphodema is making me look fatter and fatter as the fluid is now bloating me around my stomach and waist. My calves are still solid and it is impossible for me to relax the muscles...This is making walking a challenge as my legs constantly feel tired and painful. I have no idea how long the waiting list is that I'm on...but I really need some help.
This has now been going on for 3+ months and has really brought me down. I am dealing with constant pain and people telling me off for putting weight on. Most days, if I can be bothered to eat, my calorie intake is way below what it should be...and my new excess weight does a great wave motion demonstration. I wouldn't mind if people actually asked rather than just made assumptions. I'm totally paranoid already without having comments stating the obvious.
I've lost count of the number of nights I've cried myself to sleep recently...and it scares me how much I hate my life at ťhe moment.
Monday, 4 August 2014
Turns out I really was ill!!
I am currently still battling with a cough I've had since May. I had an x-ray done on 9/7/14 but the results never reached my GP...so last week I had another and amazingly on this mornings trip to see my Dr as I'm still feeling rather rough (OK, so dead is another good description!) to be told that it appears I've had pneumonia!! Luckily the last 2 lots of antibiotics have cleared the worst rubbish from my lungs, even though it appears the infection was viral as the sputum culture came back clear!
The cough could last for up to 6 months and for that time I'm going to continue to feel extremely tired and run down...what joy! But I should be firing on all cylinders as soon as I can as I refuse to be beaten by a microscopic virus!
Unfortunately the timing really messed up our holiday as I was at my worst that week...so I'm now ready for next year and I am going to have a real break and have quality time with my family without feeling completely washed out. This year really was a wash out, even though we had no rain and unbelievably hot weather!
I've decided I'm going back to work tomorrow...I wish I could control this cough more, but I'll just make sure I have constant access to fluid as that does help! It's like getting married again with the glass of water on the altar rail - and it was water, not vodka! I managed to cure the cough that year by flying to Florida and having a helpful steward keeping me constantly supplied with iced water! Not sure the NHS would pay for a trip to the Magic Kingdom just to stop me coughing! Plus my passport is out of date and it appears there is no way to get a fast replacement at the moment! And I couldn't go alone, I'm happy to drive there but I need a navigator and neither Andy nor Mikey have valid passports either!!
Thankfully I'm not on anymore antibiotics and I've finished the steroids so once I get those out of my system I hope I'll start feeling more human. I have no idea how long that takes - hopefully it'll be quick!
The cough could last for up to 6 months and for that time I'm going to continue to feel extremely tired and run down...what joy! But I should be firing on all cylinders as soon as I can as I refuse to be beaten by a microscopic virus!
Unfortunately the timing really messed up our holiday as I was at my worst that week...so I'm now ready for next year and I am going to have a real break and have quality time with my family without feeling completely washed out. This year really was a wash out, even though we had no rain and unbelievably hot weather!
I've decided I'm going back to work tomorrow...I wish I could control this cough more, but I'll just make sure I have constant access to fluid as that does help! It's like getting married again with the glass of water on the altar rail - and it was water, not vodka! I managed to cure the cough that year by flying to Florida and having a helpful steward keeping me constantly supplied with iced water! Not sure the NHS would pay for a trip to the Magic Kingdom just to stop me coughing! Plus my passport is out of date and it appears there is no way to get a fast replacement at the moment! And I couldn't go alone, I'm happy to drive there but I need a navigator and neither Andy nor Mikey have valid passports either!!
Thankfully I'm not on anymore antibiotics and I've finished the steroids so once I get those out of my system I hope I'll start feeling more human. I have no idea how long that takes - hopefully it'll be quick!
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Crappity Crap Crap Crap
Sorry to Sue for stealing your line, but it pretty much sums stuff up for me at the moment! I developed a cough at the end of May and actually went to see a Dr. I was told it was nothing more than a bronchial spasm that would soon vanish - although he did prescribe antibiotics, odd as he was sure there was no infection! I assumed he knew what he was talking about so started the course as instructed. In the meantime I've also had problems with food, mainly that it won't stay where it should - something that had been going on since before I was given the tablets. As I was still feeling awful (not eating does seem to sap your energy!) I was not given an appointment but the Dr phoned me and had already seemed to have decided that I was allergic to the tablets (He has a problem listening...) He switched me to a different antibiotic that I have had so often I know it doesn't work! But then, what do I know!
We headed off to Broadstairs last week and I can honestly say I can't remember ever feeling so ill, not an auspicious start to our break to recharge batteries etc. Andy took me out for dinner and we had a lovely meal (I discovered my nephew is sooooooo right about Jack Daniels Sauce) But as usual nothing stayed put and I spent most of Sunday avoiding food as eating anything had the same result. As a result I was on the phone at 8 yesterday morning demanding to see a different Dr. It appears one of the 4 based at my surgery has decided to move to part time (easier for patients to avoid him...) and a female Dr has been taken on! She carried out a much better examination and I am now diagnosed with Bronchitis and today have had some x-rays and provided a sputum sample to rule out anything worse. So I'm now on different antibiotics and some steroids to try to bring everything back into control! Maybe these tests should have been done months ago...I feel a complaining letter coming on as the Dr's do not appear to be capable of even the simplest modicum of care!
Thankfully, Misty was well looked after while we were away, but she did seem pleased to see us when we got back. A nice surprise as I was totally expecting to be ignored and given the feline cold shoulder for a while! I think Mikey possibly missed his box of cars more than Misty missed us! It was the first thing he wanted to see once we got home! If anyone ever needs to bribe Mikey, toy cars will work every time!
We headed off to Broadstairs last week and I can honestly say I can't remember ever feeling so ill, not an auspicious start to our break to recharge batteries etc. Andy took me out for dinner and we had a lovely meal (I discovered my nephew is sooooooo right about Jack Daniels Sauce) But as usual nothing stayed put and I spent most of Sunday avoiding food as eating anything had the same result. As a result I was on the phone at 8 yesterday morning demanding to see a different Dr. It appears one of the 4 based at my surgery has decided to move to part time (easier for patients to avoid him...) and a female Dr has been taken on! She carried out a much better examination and I am now diagnosed with Bronchitis and today have had some x-rays and provided a sputum sample to rule out anything worse. So I'm now on different antibiotics and some steroids to try to bring everything back into control! Maybe these tests should have been done months ago...I feel a complaining letter coming on as the Dr's do not appear to be capable of even the simplest modicum of care!
Thankfully, Misty was well looked after while we were away, but she did seem pleased to see us when we got back. A nice surprise as I was totally expecting to be ignored and given the feline cold shoulder for a while! I think Mikey possibly missed his box of cars more than Misty missed us! It was the first thing he wanted to see once we got home! If anyone ever needs to bribe Mikey, toy cars will work every time!
Sunday, 20 July 2014
Sorry for vanishing...
To say life recently has been manic is one he'll of an understatement! Most of the time I'm impressed if I know what day it is!!
I'm still enjoying work and have even written a few training sessions on the company systems, customer service and even a very basic excel course! I'm pleased with them even if nobody else is!
The last few weeks have been a little tougher than usual. I developed a cough at the end of May and I just can't seem to throw it off. It isn't helping that I have pretty much lost my appetite completely and can go for days happily not eating a 'real' meal. I know that isn't good for me but I'm scared of eating as I throw up so often at the moment...
Mikey is still growing up to fast and has had 3 sessions at school so far. I have bought him a few bits of uniform to grow into and he has announced he doesn't like it and so won't wear it! On the other had he approves of the book bag at least! I am still trying to get my head around the fact that the tiny scrap of humanity I produced 4 years ago is now ready to start 14 years of education. Luckily Mikey, at the moment, has no conception of how long his sentence is! My next job is to convince school to call him Mikey as Michael is usually reserved for telling him off!!!
I'm still enjoying work and have even written a few training sessions on the company systems, customer service and even a very basic excel course! I'm pleased with them even if nobody else is!
The last few weeks have been a little tougher than usual. I developed a cough at the end of May and I just can't seem to throw it off. It isn't helping that I have pretty much lost my appetite completely and can go for days happily not eating a 'real' meal. I know that isn't good for me but I'm scared of eating as I throw up so often at the moment...
Mikey is still growing up to fast and has had 3 sessions at school so far. I have bought him a few bits of uniform to grow into and he has announced he doesn't like it and so won't wear it! On the other had he approves of the book bag at least! I am still trying to get my head around the fact that the tiny scrap of humanity I produced 4 years ago is now ready to start 14 years of education. Luckily Mikey, at the moment, has no conception of how long his sentence is! My next job is to convince school to call him Mikey as Michael is usually reserved for telling him off!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)