There is some acceptance to being chronically ill or disabled. I even took a course on it during my associate program. The Sick Role is a sort of contract or stage part that we ill folk agree to play. It also comes with complications however in that it pollutes our lives and can overwhelm family. Right at the end of winter I came down with a bad cold. It lasted longer than usual and after the nasal problems cleared up I still had a cough.
Urgent care seemed to think I was contagious as you can see from my awesome mask couture. Honestly the coughing was more a problem because of my incontinence. My underwear drawer will never be the same. I had a partner in crime at least since my sister got pink eye again. With no phlem coming up they gave me a numbing agent for the lower lung and a strong cough syrup.
I thought it was working until one night I could not breathe. Heather talked me through the worst of a asthma attack and I vomited up a lot of liquid from my lungs. The next day the fiancee was willing to take me to the PCP who of course was out of the office. From there I landed in overnight care at Beaumont hospital in Grosse Pointe. The process was slow but I was informed later that my vitals were taken twice because they were unbelievable.
The workup included a lung xray, breathing treatment, CT with dye and eventually a cardio workup. What was odd was their avoidance of testing my urine sample. Mind you I know I was severely dehydrated since the first sample was practically tobacco color. After a night on oxygen and prodding and poking they agreed it must have been allergic asthma which especially hits hard those with a weakened immune system. That means steroids and some antibiotics for good measure which I just finished today.
I also made some major changes at home. A new air filter for one and some much needed cleaning. The fiancee got us a water purifier which I have been using round the clock. With the exception of all natural juices I have cut every thing but water out of my life. I can't help but think however with all the food aspirations I had a few days before the hospital stay that perhaps this problem is just as much to do with my GERD diagnosis as anything else. There seems to be a circular patch of my throat which catches and spasms from some sort of irritation now. Much like a valve can't close and is letting liquid in other places. I have yet to schedule my PCP followup since he is out of state but I'll have to take care of this.
Breathing, talking and swallowing problems are definitely NOT something I am prepared to just get used to living with. Hopefully we can adjust my GERD medicine since in all honesty I stopped taking it 75% of the time. Between the insurance and a hospital changing the drug type it unfortunately left my dosage somewhere in between the recommendation for either. I must say I liked the hospital version because it left a funny mint taste on an empty stomach. It also didn't give me stomach rot, a term I use for too low a blend of bile and acids to digest food without pain. One change is how I take my thyroid medication now, 6am rise and then back to bed until at least 10am for the rest of my medication. It does seem more effective now.