I just realized that I haven't posted here since Feb! Slap my fingers and call me a bad girl!
A lot, and I do mean a LOT, has happened since my last post. As I mentioned, my house finally sold so I had some decision making to do. I contacted my realtor in Edmonton to see what was available within my beer budget and if the mobile home I so loved way back when I first started looking was by chance available. Sadly, she said they had taken it off the market and it was presently leased until the end of the year.
OK, I go back to the drawing board and start to plan to rent a place in MJ close to my sisters. Nicely get my mind made up about this when the realtor calls me that the tenant of the mobile home has given her notice and would be out on April 1. I would be able to move in almost to the day of vacating my house. Talk about great timing! A quick trip to Edmonton to see if I still love the place (I did) then starting the negotiations for purchase. To make a long story shorter, we were able to agree on a price and in the beginning of April, I made my move.
Thank heavens I have such an awesome sister who helped me pack and she and her daughter did the cleaning after everything was out. I don't know what I would have done without their assistance.
7 months later and I'm happy I chose to come back here. I get to see my son fairly frequently and most of my friends are here. I've come home!
Living in a mobile home has its own set of problems that I'm sure I'll sort out over time. Just little things like I'll have to figure out how to beat the cold floor through the winter months, dealing with the home shifting due to changes in the ground it is set on and getting used to having to pay lot rent. I'm loving that I don't have any steps (other than a few to get in and out of the door), same floor laundry, and the open concept of the living room and eat-in kitchen. I have a love/hate relationship with my skylight - love the lighting from it in the day, hate the noise when it rains (I hate storms).
As you can imagine, this past 7 months have been busy - the move, re-establishing myself here and re-acquainting myself with the city and all it has to offer.
Now on to the elephant in the room. I have been to see my new lung doctor a couple of times already and am now scheduled for another CT scan so he can see what, if anything, has changed with my lungs since last year. He doesn't think I need to be carrying around the oxygen as he said my shortness of breath is because my lung walls are like cement so it is just harder to breath and adding O2 won't make much of a difference. I was quite pleased to stop carrying around the tank everywhere and have found that as long as I pace myself, I can still enjoy going out shopping, etc. I walk very slowly and have to remind myself the walking and talking at the same time isn't a good idea as they both use up my breath.
I'm hoping for some answers at my next visit with him after the CT scan.
I'm still amazed that I see him so often! My pulmonologist in Saskatoon only saw me every 6 or 7 months and my Doc here want to see me every 3 months. I've heard lots of complaints about Alberta health care, but so far I don't have anything but praises for it.
I was running scared and confused for quite a while after the diagnosis but the other day I had the thought that "hey! you love road trips where you don't plan on anything other than a destination. You get to see some awesome sights (and some that aren't so awesome) around each bend in the road. Why not treat this illness as one of those road trips? There will be some good (and probably some not so good) surprises along the way, just look forward to that next awesome sight!" Since I decided to follow my own advice, it was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and a sense of peace settled in. After all, we are all on a road trip with the same final destination so why not enjoy the trip.
Wow! I got pretty wordy this time. Better leave some stuff for our next chat.
Life is good!
Thursday, 26 October 2017
Tuesday, 14 February 2017
Mexico and Exciting News
I'm back from Mexico with a lovely tan and a tattoo!
I had a lovely time but 2 weeks was almost too long to be gone. I was very glad to sleep in my own bed after the time in Mexico and then a week in MJ.
I had a bit of trouble with my oxygen needs on the plane but nothing serious. I learned that the change in altitude definitely changes ones oxygen levels!
While in Mexico I got a message from my realtor that someone wanted to take a look at my house. Even though it wasn't show ready, they liked it enough to put in an offer and to make a short version of it, they ended up buying my house! Another instance of something happening when you stop looking for it to happen.
Then I started stressing out about where I would move. My sisters wanted me to move to MJ but my friends and son are in Alberta. I felt like I was being torn in 2! Then a good friend suggested I just choose one place and rent there for awhile. If I wasn't happy there, then I would be able to move to the other place. You wouldn't believe how much stress fell away when I decided to follow her advice! As my health care, car insurance, etc. are already in place in Saskatchewan, I opted for MJ to be my first stop. If I choose to stay there, I definitely have a lot more choices for homes to buy within my budget vs Alberta prices. I am feeling sad that I'll be further away from my son and friends but I can always drive or even hop a plane to go visit!
As I have a lot to do to get ready for the move, I probably won't be posting here for awhile.
Toodle-doo for now! Have a great life!
I had a bit of trouble with my oxygen needs on the plane but nothing serious. I learned that the change in altitude definitely changes ones oxygen levels!
While in Mexico I got a message from my realtor that someone wanted to take a look at my house. Even though it wasn't show ready, they liked it enough to put in an offer and to make a short version of it, they ended up buying my house! Another instance of something happening when you stop looking for it to happen.
Then I started stressing out about where I would move. My sisters wanted me to move to MJ but my friends and son are in Alberta. I felt like I was being torn in 2! Then a good friend suggested I just choose one place and rent there for awhile. If I wasn't happy there, then I would be able to move to the other place. You wouldn't believe how much stress fell away when I decided to follow her advice! As my health care, car insurance, etc. are already in place in Saskatchewan, I opted for MJ to be my first stop. If I choose to stay there, I definitely have a lot more choices for homes to buy within my budget vs Alberta prices. I am feeling sad that I'll be further away from my son and friends but I can always drive or even hop a plane to go visit!
As I have a lot to do to get ready for the move, I probably won't be posting here for awhile.
Toodle-doo for now! Have a great life!
Friday, 20 January 2017
Update and upcoming trip
It's been almost 2 months since I last posted so I figure I'd best update anyone who is listening (who as far as I can tell is nobody).
Health
I had another SAIL test so the government can still cover my oxygen supplies. Just made the requirements which is kind of weird. My O2 sat levels stayed reasonably high even though I felt like I was completely out of breath and the nurse said I was a bit gray. I did dip down in numbers just barely enough for the SAIL to go through so don't have to worry about coming up with the money for my oxygen.
I found an awesome website for people like me - Inspire.com has support groups for all kinds of illnesses including NSIP. It is so nice to be able to talk to people who share the same problems. My family and friends are wonderful and I'm sure they would be there for me in a heartbeat but they don't know this disease. Part of that problem is that I don't want to burden them with the fact that this disease will either result in my eventually needing a lung transplant or death and not a really pleasant road to either. A prognosis timeline is on my list of questions for the Dr.
My breathlessness seems to have increased since November. I have some days better than others but often need the oxygen to perform minor tasks like doing the dishes. Housework is something I can only do in short bouts (i.e. sweep one room only) before needing a break. I've started coughing again, this time the coughs aren't really dry but no sputum comes up although it is definitely there.
I'm hoping to see the respirologist again shortly after I get back from Mexico so we can go through all my questions. This time I'm going to drag my sister with me so I'll have a spare set of ears and a brain that won't go foggy. My brain definitely fogged up last time I saw him - he mentioned the lung transplant and I basically stopped listening as I tried to absorb what this meant.
Believe it or not, I am still having twinges of pain in the biopsy site! Not enough for pain medication but little reminders that I had the surgery. The surgeon had said he may have brushed a nerve when he went in and from what I understand, nerves take a long time to heal. It's been 4 months today since I had the surgery!
Mexico
I'm almost all packed, all arrangements have been made, forms filled out with the i's dotted and t's crossed. A few last minute things to throw into my suitcase and I'm ready to go!
Kayla will be staying with my sister and Majik with another sister - both in MJ which will be handy for both drop off and collecting when I come home.
I am having mixed emotions about this trip. For the most part, I'm looking forward to enjoying the sun and surf (even though I have no plans on actually entering said surf) but I have a nagging fear of going alone with this disease hanging over my head. I really wish I could have found someone to come with me for at least the first week but everyone else has other things on their agenda. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be just fine - I just need to convince myself of that. I leave home for my sister's in a couple of days, spend a day with her and getting any last minute shopping (and a hair cut) done. Then it is off to 2 weeks in the sun!
I think the biggest hold-backs to me thoroughly looking forward to the trip are hauling the oxygen machine with me through the airport and not being able to navigate the airports without running out of air. For my time at the resort, I have the thought that I will be able to use the oxygen only once in a while. I may be deluding myself but in the past I have noted that I breathe easier when I'm at the ocean, whether on a cruise or near the ocean. I guess the proof will be in the pudding!
I have an excursion booked to go sightseeing and shopping "You will start at 7:30 am, taking the highway along the coast of the Sea of Cortez, driving through mountain towns and amazing desert landscapes. You will make quick visit to little towns for photographs Miraflores, Los Barrlies, Santiago, San Bartolo and El Triufo. At La Paz City, you will be visiting the cathedral and do some shopping. You will visit an amazing beach called Coromuel for taking photographs. Then you will visit the famous La Paz Malecon where you will stop to a restaurant to taste Mexican flavors. On the way back you will be stopping at Todos Santos town, where the famous Hotel California is located." Sounds like a great time, I just hope I can get my arse moving in time to meet the bus! Anyone who knows me knows how much I dislike mornings! The whole tour lasts for 12 hours so I will have to be careful how much I use the oxygen machine as it only lasts for 8 hours maximum. I shouldn't need it when sitting on the bus or while at lunch so I should be OK. The best part of this excursion? I got it for only $25 after using a coupon from the travel agent.
The majority of the rest of the vacation will be spent on the beach with book or crochet in hand and a nice cold drink within easy reach. Life will be tough!! Hopefully I won't come back red as a cooked lobster but I am definitely hoping for a nice golden brown.
Next time I post, I'll let you know how everything went.
Live for yourself, Laugh at yourself, Love yourself.
Health
I had another SAIL test so the government can still cover my oxygen supplies. Just made the requirements which is kind of weird. My O2 sat levels stayed reasonably high even though I felt like I was completely out of breath and the nurse said I was a bit gray. I did dip down in numbers just barely enough for the SAIL to go through so don't have to worry about coming up with the money for my oxygen.
I found an awesome website for people like me - Inspire.com has support groups for all kinds of illnesses including NSIP. It is so nice to be able to talk to people who share the same problems. My family and friends are wonderful and I'm sure they would be there for me in a heartbeat but they don't know this disease. Part of that problem is that I don't want to burden them with the fact that this disease will either result in my eventually needing a lung transplant or death and not a really pleasant road to either. A prognosis timeline is on my list of questions for the Dr.
My breathlessness seems to have increased since November. I have some days better than others but often need the oxygen to perform minor tasks like doing the dishes. Housework is something I can only do in short bouts (i.e. sweep one room only) before needing a break. I've started coughing again, this time the coughs aren't really dry but no sputum comes up although it is definitely there.
I'm hoping to see the respirologist again shortly after I get back from Mexico so we can go through all my questions. This time I'm going to drag my sister with me so I'll have a spare set of ears and a brain that won't go foggy. My brain definitely fogged up last time I saw him - he mentioned the lung transplant and I basically stopped listening as I tried to absorb what this meant.
Believe it or not, I am still having twinges of pain in the biopsy site! Not enough for pain medication but little reminders that I had the surgery. The surgeon had said he may have brushed a nerve when he went in and from what I understand, nerves take a long time to heal. It's been 4 months today since I had the surgery!
Mexico
I'm almost all packed, all arrangements have been made, forms filled out with the i's dotted and t's crossed. A few last minute things to throw into my suitcase and I'm ready to go!
Kayla will be staying with my sister and Majik with another sister - both in MJ which will be handy for both drop off and collecting when I come home.
I am having mixed emotions about this trip. For the most part, I'm looking forward to enjoying the sun and surf (even though I have no plans on actually entering said surf) but I have a nagging fear of going alone with this disease hanging over my head. I really wish I could have found someone to come with me for at least the first week but everyone else has other things on their agenda. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be just fine - I just need to convince myself of that. I leave home for my sister's in a couple of days, spend a day with her and getting any last minute shopping (and a hair cut) done. Then it is off to 2 weeks in the sun!
I think the biggest hold-backs to me thoroughly looking forward to the trip are hauling the oxygen machine with me through the airport and not being able to navigate the airports without running out of air. For my time at the resort, I have the thought that I will be able to use the oxygen only once in a while. I may be deluding myself but in the past I have noted that I breathe easier when I'm at the ocean, whether on a cruise or near the ocean. I guess the proof will be in the pudding!
I have an excursion booked to go sightseeing and shopping "You will start at 7:30 am, taking the highway along the coast of the Sea of Cortez, driving through mountain towns and amazing desert landscapes. You will make quick visit to little towns for photographs Miraflores, Los Barrlies, Santiago, San Bartolo and El Triufo. At La Paz City, you will be visiting the cathedral and do some shopping. You will visit an amazing beach called Coromuel for taking photographs. Then you will visit the famous La Paz Malecon where you will stop to a restaurant to taste Mexican flavors. On the way back you will be stopping at Todos Santos town, where the famous Hotel California is located." Sounds like a great time, I just hope I can get my arse moving in time to meet the bus! Anyone who knows me knows how much I dislike mornings! The whole tour lasts for 12 hours so I will have to be careful how much I use the oxygen machine as it only lasts for 8 hours maximum. I shouldn't need it when sitting on the bus or while at lunch so I should be OK. The best part of this excursion? I got it for only $25 after using a coupon from the travel agent.
The majority of the rest of the vacation will be spent on the beach with book or crochet in hand and a nice cold drink within easy reach. Life will be tough!! Hopefully I won't come back red as a cooked lobster but I am definitely hoping for a nice golden brown.
Next time I post, I'll let you know how everything went.
Live for yourself, Laugh at yourself, Love yourself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)