Dragging BIG Time

Did a test, I slept in bed last night and shouldn't have. I think Marks is right about getting rid of the down pillows. Woke up with tons of flem again.
Coughed my way downstairs and then collapsed in the recliner.
Brye came over just as I finished losing my mind. We planned to go to Magnolia Haus for breakfast.

Great breakfast. That place is fantastic. Had to wait for almost an hour and, of course, I brought the oxygen tank that was only half full so rather than going to Target when we were done we had to come back to the house for oxygen. Can't walk around without it anymore unless I go at a snails pace and I can't risk my SAT rate going down as much as it has been with the least little activity.

Came home and decided we'd take a little nap (she's been working like crazy lately and didn't sleep well last night either)
Woke up at 3:30 and Brye was gone. She had to work at 6:00. Called her to apologize for falling asleep. She said I was snoring like crazy which I do only when I'm really tired.

Chris got in at 5:00 and then had to run out for a 6:00 appt. He is dragging big time too. Iced his ankle for a bit and then back on the road again.

I know Marx said I'd have flu like symptons from the Reclast but this is kicking my ass big time.

I REALLY need to get out and get some stuff for BC. Need a TX postcard, TX ornament and some greeting cards. Being so fatigued is a royal pain in the ass.

I keep thinking of all Chris has been doing for me and I have to get more energy so I can do for him. The poor guy is working 12 to 16 hours a day 6 days a week. I know we need the money but he needs things to slow down so he can heal his ankle and recharge.

Talked with Brandy and Jay has a second interview for a transfer and promotion. Looks like Dallas, Houston or Pheonix might be a real possibility for them. I'd love to be able to see Megan easier.

Ann, Glenn and the kids are in DC this weekend. Dr. Uncle Mike is getting married and AJ and Gareth are in the wedding. Waiting for pics.

Reclast Infusion

Had the Reclast infusion yesterday morning and today I feel like I have the flu minus the congestion. Dizzy and ache all over.
My INR was 4.6 so I'm off the coumsdin for three days. They called in a new script for me to Medco.
Bruises are almost gone from the surgery.

Chris is in Corpus for a few days. Sold a $17,000 kitchen remodel last night.

Talked with Sharon and she gave me the number for a respritory rehab program at Baylor that is supposed to be one of the best. I'll talk to Marks about it next week.

Seeing Rao on Thurs after I FINALLY have the Reclast infusion at Marx's office that morning. I have to remember to ask about the weird blistering.

My left nipple is still hurting. I think maybe Malve hit a nerve when he did the biopsy. The incision is healing wonderfully. Hardly hurts at all but my nipple is killing me.

Didn't sleep well again last night. Up from about 12:30 to 2:00. Up at 7:00.

Chris had a 10AM appt then home to watch football. 5PM appt. near home and off tomorrow. He saw Stanley and is in a walking boot for 6 to 8 weeks for the tendopothy in his right ankle. Paced too much in sneakers while I was in the hospital.

I talked with Miss Æmilia and she was concerned that I'm still working. She asked how I was feeling and I told her I was fine. She replied "Grandma, I don't believe you." I adore that child. She is so adult it is funny. I miss her and Gareth so much. I wish they lived closer or that we could take living in PA.

Danielle is coming on Tuesday; maybe... she texts me at least three times changing days every time she comes. I think it is funny. I always tell her just come when you can. I don't care as long as the dusting and vacuuming gets done every few weeks.

here is a picture of Miss Megan that made me smile today:

The boys and I voted on Wed (Obama) so we don't have to worry about that this week.
Halloween wasn't as much fun as usual because I didn't have a stash of kids books to give out. I have to start collecting for next year.

Spent the evening on the porch giving out candy to little princeses and super heros. Also watching to make sure that Mr Pediman (Jay from across the street) didn't show up. That man gives me the creeps.

Good week but hard day

I had a really good week. I'm off the Lovenox again. INR is 2.3 but my ankle is a mess from dropping an almost empty jar on it. I can't believe how black and blue it is.

Had a very hard night sleeping. I took 15 mg of Norco which should have made me pain free and sleepy but it didn't.

Got out of bed at 8:30 with a headache and alternate between the sweats and freezing. The bottom of my feet are even wet and it is 73 degrees in here!

Also getting those weird leg blisters again but in a higher place on the inside of my left calf. Bigger than before with some little tiny ones pluse my regular spot just above my right inside ankle.

I really feel horrible today. Weak and in a bad headspace.

Some links for UIP & what's next

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf/
What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?


http://www.med.umich.edu/whp/information/autoimmune-
disease.htmAutoimmune Disease: A Range of Discriminating Illnesses

An interesting Lupus blog
http://lupusgirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-new-lupus-blog.html

http://www.surgical-pathology.com/usual_interstitial_pneumonia.htm

http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/transplantable-lungs.htm

The next step is for Marks to talk with Marx and Rao. The prognosis doesn't look good. Malve talked of lung transplant but said there was a lot to do before that point. Number one not getting sick and then losing enough weight to even be considered.

Scares the heck out of me but I just have to keep going and pray for the progression to slow down.

Pathology Report

At low magnification, the main change in sections of the wedge lung biopsy is chronic intersititaal pneumonia characterized by a combination of inflamation and fibrosis. At least focally the fibrosis predominates and has a somewhat patchy distribution. It also includes areas of architectural distortion in the form of subpleural honeycomb change. While the fibrosis consists mainly of dense collegen depositions there are scattered fibroblast foci. The combination of findings establish the diagnosis of UIP. An unusuure feature is the presence of lymphoid hyperplasia in the form of peribronchiolar lymphoid aggregates. This is a relatively nonspecific finding although it is seen more commonly in patients with underlying systemic connective tissue disease compared to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In a sense this finding is consistent with the patients history of mixed connective tissue disease.

Dr Jeffery Myers at the University of Michigan Dept. of Pathology

After surgery supplies

I need to remember to suggest to Dr Malve that he reccomend cheap Fruit of The Loom sports bras to any big cheasted women that he does lung biopsies on. They absorb the sweat and don't pull too bad on the gauze and they hold the breast up enough to help with the pain from the weight of the breast.
I swear I'd be more comfortable if I was flat cheasted.

Reminds me of not being given enough practical information for dealing with Chris when he had the hardware put in his back. No one tells you the things you REALLY need to know to get by day to day and not have to be running to the store or medical suppy place just to survive the days after a surgery.


The staples are still hurting which kind of surprises me. I'm usually much better with pain but I'm still often between a 5 and 6 when I inevitably forget to take something for it. Last Lovenox shot stung like crazy and bruised up bad.

Slept for quite a bit of the day while Brandy straightened up the house and did lots of wash. Hung the old curtins for me so we don't have to do it when we move.

Chris had an 11 in Dripping Springs and a 7 in San Antonio. Came home inbetween for an hour or so. Evening appt. was a bust too. They had less than an hour available to get a quote on a kitchen remodel. People are weird.