September 22, 2005 7 days Post Op

originally posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005

September 22, 2005 7 days Post Op

I haven't been here in a while. Life has been crazy. I got sick. It took from Februrary to May to diagnose what was wrong. I started out with Severe Stabbing Pain in my Left Lung every time I took a breath. This happened in November also and was told it was pneumonia. I was given AntiBiotics and it resided. In February when I went with the same symptoms, the doctor I saw sent me for a Cat Scan to see if I had a blood Clot. And there it was. A web of stuff in my lungs that seemed to be living there.

After a Tuberculosis scare and 3 more scans and 3 E-xrays, The Pulmonary Doctor decided to do a Bronchoskopy. A tiny tube went down my nose to my lungs and samples were taken. This was inconclusive. They found 1 Single Granuloma. And with a Negative blood test panel, they could not say for sure what I had. So...

I had a lung Biopsy on May 25, 2005. This concluded that I have a disease called Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. A disease that is virtually unkown. There is no know cause and no know cure. Just Treatment of symptoms. Prednisone for the swelling in my lungs, If I needed it. Thank god the doctor decided to wait and see if I get better or worse. I could just get better and never have a problem or it could get worse. Worst case Scenario...It can be fatal if it spreads to other parts. But as mild as I have it, My doctor says I have nothing to worry about.

I have a brother in law who has it. He has had if for a long time. I also heard a friends boyfriend had it and he was told that he had cancer. But treatment wasn't helping. He went else where and was told it was Sarcoic. So it can be bad. Kind of Scary.

I recovered from my Biopsy and started working at a little store down the road from here for a little extra money. I started on July 5th. I love it there. I mostly work in the Deli making subs and pizzas and sandwiches. And we are installing a Deep Fryer so we can do fish fries, wings, fries and other hot foods. I can not wait for that to start.

Then...On August 2, 2005 I was bending down at work to change a sign on the lowest shelf and felt and heard a pop in my lower back. I knew right away it was not just a slipped disk. I went to the emergency room the next day. I had a Herniated Disk in my L4 L5 region. I started Physical Therapy and then went to the Pain Management Clinic, with no relief. I progressively got worse and could not stand it any more. I could not sit or stand. All I did all day was lay on the floor. And cried from the pain. So...

I had back surgery last Thursday, September 15, 2005. This is the Second one in 2 years. The last was September 23, 2003. Almost 2 years to the day. How Sad! This is really painful. But I got it taken care of and now I am back to walking for my cardio. I am not able to scultp and wont be able to until the doctor says so. Which will probably be 5 weeks from now.

The last 7 months have been difficult. But I have managed to loose weight consistently. I am down to 209 lbs. Loosing 2 to 4 lbs a week. I have been doing really well with that.

I was excited because I was actually able to put on a pair of size 16 pants the other day. I had them buttened and zipped. I had to hold my breath to do it, but they were on and fastened. I have been wearing elastic waist and drawstring waist shorts or pants all summer. And I can finally get into something that has neither. Things I wore only one year ago. So I can not wait to get into the rest of my 16s and some of the 14s I have.

I am hoping my Halloween, I will be about 15 lbs lighter.