REENIE'S REACH

August 14, 2012

I've known for a while that something was wrong with my lungs, but wasn't certain. Breathing started to become slightly difficult last October 2011. (This is when I canceled my trip to Nepal to work with a team to rebuild a Buddhist Temple. For me it was a *God Thing* telling me to cancel... or maybe it was succumbing to a wheelchair in Dulles.) My life was finally put on pause in Santa Fe during a 10-day visit this summer. While there, I landed in the ER with an oxygen saturation of 83%. Yet, *smiling* it was the best vacation ever!

I have an idiopathic fibrotic lung disease, which produces a progressive scarring of unknown origins, but often connected to autoimmune diseases of which I have none. The cause could be genetic. Scientists are also considering the pop-up theory. Perhaps all along I've had the genes that necessitated 2 hip replacements - and the genes to cause IPF.

It's incurable with no treatment. There are about 200 fibrotic lung diseases, and I have the worst with IPF. My condition is nearing the moderate stage. I've spent this summer with family and at Vanderbilt with tests and consults. The only solution for this disease is a double lung transplant. I'll be evaluated later this month for transplants and possible clinical trials. I'm on oxygen 24/7. My best medicine is a positive attitude. I make sure to also give everyone else a dose of it every day. My diagnosis and prognosis are scary, yet my days are imbued with gratitude and hope.

It's a bit daunting at times that I'm doing this alone - not regarding emotional/spiritual support of which I have lots - It's the lists of things that need to be tended to. It's the physicality of facing all that needs to be done to make a life and lifetime as tidy as possible for my family, while in the same wobbly breath planning with serious optimism for a future. I tell people that I have no fear of leaving... it's the staying I still yearn for. I have the most amazing children and the best medicine for me is to be able to continue to see them soar.

Advance thanks for the many prayers I know will be said on my behalf.

REENIE'S REACH by irene bean
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (8) Share on Facebook SOME OF MY FAVORITE BLOGS I'VE POSTED 2008 A Solid Foundation Cheers Sold! Not Trying to be Corny 2007 This Little Light of Mine We Were Once Young Veni, Vedi, Vinca U Tube Has a New Star Packing a 3-Iron Getting Personal Welcome Again Well... Come on in Christmas Shopping There's no Substitute 2006 Dressed for Success Cancun Can-Can Holy Guacamole Life can be Crazy The New Dog Hurricane Reenie He Delivers No Spilt Milk Naked Fingers Blind Have Ya Heard the One About? The Great Caper Push Barney's P***S My New Security System		2012-09-09 7:10 PM The Revealing August 14, 2012 I've known for a while that something was wrong with my lungs, but wasn't certain. Breathing started to become slightly difficult last October 2011. (This is when I canceled my trip to Nepal to work with a team to rebuild a Buddhist Temple. For me it was a God Thing telling me to cancel... or maybe it was succumbing to a wheelchair in Dulles.) My life was finally put on pause in Santa Fe during a 10-day visit this summer. While there, I landed in the ER with an oxygen saturation of 83%. Yet, smiling it was the best vacation ever! I have an idiopathic fibrotic lung disease, which produces a progressive scarring of unknown origins, but often connected to autoimmune diseases of which I have none. The cause could be genetic. Scientists are also considering the pop-up theory. Perhaps all along I've had the genes that necessitated 2 hip replacements - and the genes to cause IPF. It's incurable with no treatment. There are about 200 fibrotic lung diseases, and I have the worst with IPF. My condition is nearing the moderate stage. I've spent this summer with family and at Vanderbilt with tests and consults. The only solution for this disease is a double lung transplant. I'll be evaluated later this month for transplants and possible clinical trials. I'm on oxygen 24/7. My best medicine is a positive attitude. I make sure to also give everyone else a dose of it every day. My diagnosis and prognosis are scary, yet my days are imbued with gratitude and hope. It's a bit daunting at times that I'm doing this alone - not regarding emotional/spiritual support of which I have lots - It's the lists of things that need to be tended to. It's the physicality of facing all that needs to be done to make a life and lifetime as tidy as possible for my family, while in the same wobbly breath planning with serious optimism for a future. I tell people that I have no fear of leaving... it's the staying I still yearn for. I have the most amazing children and the best medicine for me is to be able to continue to see them soar. Advance thanks for the many prayers I know will be said on my behalf. Read/Post Comments (8) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top