Insurance Delay

I was supposed to go back in for a checkup with the surgeon yesterday but he also wanted to do a ct scan and the insurance company wouldn't approve it.  Thankfully the nurse called to let me know before we drove all the way there and then not be able to find out anything.  She said the doctor will phone the doctor in charge at the insurance company and see if he can get this approved.  They will let me know.  Thankfully I'm not having any trouble breathing at this time. I'm still walking 30 minutes a day on the treadmill and able to keep up with all my daily chores.

 

That's all I have to report at this time. 

Take a deep breath and enjoy your day!

 

 

Trying not to cough is not easy.

I have a three day class that I started today that I am attending for work.  Sixty some people and I'm the only one coughing.  I'm sure they all think I'm sick with something contagious.  I really have tried to keep it under control.  I keep a water and cough drops or hard candies at my finger tips.  Today wasn't too bad... just hope I can make it two more days without making a scene.

Over the weekend I went grocery shopping and came home with a trunk FULL of stuff.  There was nobody home to carry it all in for me.  I made several slow trips in and only got slightly out of breath.  I left the cases of water for someone else to get later.  I really do appreciate my family and all they do for me.  It's easy enough for me to just ask one of them to do things that might make me get out of breath.  Like carrying things in or going upstairs/downstairs to get things as needed.

I'm hoping my breathing will stay stable since the wedding planning is seriously getting underway for my daughter.  This weekend we're going to the Lucky In Love Wedding Show at The Ameristar Casino.

Wishing you easy breathing...

It's Been Awhile....

Sorry, it's been awhile since I last blogged but thankfully that's because my breathing is going ok - at least for now.  That's subject to change and over time I'm sure it will.  But for now I try not to think about my tracheal stenosis and just enjoy life as it comes.

 

Is anyone else sick of winter?  It's been terrible here in Illinois.  I cannot wait for spring, to enjoy  days sitting out under the tree just reading a good book and going racing with my family.

 

I recently purchased a new vaporizer for my office.  I think it is helping me.  As I've mentioned before the dry air is not my friend.  I can't stop the coughing but hopefully I can limit it somewhat.  My family and co-workers don't deserve to have to listen to me.

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy day one breath at a time!

Cold Air is Not My Friend!

My breathing has been ok since the dilation.  It's not perfect but it hasn't slowed me down in day to day activities.  I don't understand why but going up steps has always been the worst.  I am a little short of breath when I go upstairs to exercise on the treadmill.  But I can walk 30 minutes on the treadmill and not feel like that.  Of course I can't jog/run but walking is no problem.  Last weekend when it was nice out I took a two mile walk with Sarah and didn't have to slow down once.

I wish it was still nice out but it's not.  It's cold and windy with a big snow storm on the way here in central Illinois.  The cold air makes it much harder to breathe.  I have to make sure my scarf is around my face good.  I'm just so thankful I have a family that takes good care of me.  I can handle hurrying from car to the house but when I have a trunk full of groceries and it's this cold I don't think I could carry them in myself.  But I don't have to, my family always makes sure they're there to do all that work.

Our weather report shows we might get 8-10 inches of snow tomorrow and then on Monday the high will be 3 and the low -6!!!   I plan on staying in the house as much as I can.  I really can't wait for spring.

The dry air is also making my cough never ending.  I miss the hot days of summer when I would sit out under the tree and read a good book while I enjoyed the humidity and breathing easier.

I wish all my blog readers a very happy 2014!  I wish you all easy breathing,  a big dose of laughter and lots of love!

I'm Tired Of Coughing

The last few days I have been doing lots of coughing.  Okay, I always cough a lot but it's been noticeably worse the last few days.  My throat is so dry and scratchy.  I think it's the cold dry winter air.  I purchased a personal size humidifier for my desk at work.  At first I thought it was helping but now I'm not so sure.  The one I run at home during the night is a warm mist vaporizer.  I'm hoping this will pass, I'm tired of cough drops that don't help much.  Plus I'm tired of the sore throat it has caused.

So far my breathing is okay since the last dilation.  Not 100% but I'm able to keep walking on my treadmill so that's good.  Especially after all the Christmas snacks that I've been enjoying.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas.  I know I did.  My family spoiled me with lots of nice presents.

Not sure if I posted since the surgeons office phoned.  He wants to see me in March and I get to have a ct scan with contrast beforehand.

I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!

Relieved And Confused

Just when you think you have a game plan - things change.

Yesterday I had my appointment for the surgeon to do the bronchoscope and dilation.  

I had to be there at 11:00 and the way I worry about traffic and crowded parking garages we arrived at 10:30.  Traffic wasn't bad but the garage was pretty full.  Once inside they took me right back to be prepped for surgery.  By 11:00 I was in and ready to go.  Then she said I wasn't scheduled for the OR until 1:00 so we waited and waited.  The whole time my blood pressure was being monitored every 10 minutes and I had an IV going.  Plus this surgeon requires the leg pressure sock things to prevent blood clots.  They said he always requires a shot of heparin.  Silly me thought they'd put that in my IV but I was wrong.  It went in my stomach!  It actually didn't hurt that bad but it sounded awful to me.   By 1:30 or 2:00 I was informed that the OR I was scheduled for had to be used for an emergency and I was on hold.  It was after 3:00 before they finally took me back.  The procedure and recovery took about an hour.  

While waiting to go back for the surgery the nurses were discussing the resection surgery and how major of an ordeal that is.  Saying maybe 10 days in hospital and very important to do exactly as told afterwards and a very long time off work.  I was asking lots of questions and preparing myself for the upcoming surgery.

Well, after the procedure the surgeon came in to see me and said at this time they're cancelling the resection surgery.  He doesn't feel it's worth the risk.  He says the narrowed area is short but just really too close to my vocal chords for comfort.  He doesn't want me to end up with a trach and/or lose my voice.  He said as long a I can come for these dilations as needed and they work enough to help me function through normal daily activities then we'll just stick with these procedures.  Wow... that's not what I thought I'd hear.  I'm very glad he went in and took a look so he would have a game plan for the surgery since he then found out he didn't think it was wise to continue. 

It's a relief and yet confusing.  I guess it's just something I will have to live with and just take it one day at a time.  Thankfully I have a wonderful family to help me through the bad days; when the narrowing worsens and I have no energy.  They take great care of me and I thank them for that!

Thanks for all the prayers, texts and messages.  Today I'm breathing good and relaxing at home.  Back to work tomorrow.

It Has Suddenly Become Real

I got the call today.  Actually I got two calls today.  First the surgeons nurse called to tell me the bronchoscope is scheduled for next Tuesday.  I have to be there at 11:00 AM.  The procedure will be around 1:00.  Okay, this is good. She said both surgeons will be involved.  They will dilate while in there so hopefully I'll be able to breathe easier until the resection surgery.

Then this afternoon she called back....and that's when things got REAL!  She said the resection date has been set for January 31st.  I'm glad to have a date set, that's what I've been wanting since I decided to go ahead with this.  But now it's real, it's going to happen.   I try to stay strong and I think I've been doing a good job of it so far.  My family and friends worry about me enough, they don't need to see me get upset.  But it sure would have been easy to break down today.  I'll admit I had a few tears when I got home and saw my family but it didn't last long at all and they were cheering me up and making sure I knew that things would be fine.

Not much else to tell at this point.  I'll let everyone know how I'm doing after the procedure on Tuesday.  Wish me luck and keep the prayers coming.