Today was not a great day for health-related things. I had a post-IV appointment with my CF doctor's PA. I thought it was going to be a normal, quick appointment. However, about 30 minutes before I left for my appointment, I started coughing up blood. I mean, straight blood. This has now happened four times in a little more than three months--definitely not okay. The first bleed was towards the end of September. That bleed was definitely the biggest. I stained our front porch with my blood and filled a few Kleenexes. The second bleed was in November, and pretty soon after, I started IVs, hoping that would take care of the bleeding. Then, I had the 3rd bleed one day into the IVs. I was still hoping the IVs would get rid of any infection if that was the source of the bleeding. With this fourth bleed, however, I don't think infection is the culprit. At the doctor, they decided that I have to have a pulmonary embolization. An interventional radiologist does the procedure. I'll be out, and the IR will put contrast in to see where the bleeding is. Then, he'll go in and cauterize the bleeding areas. It's a relatively simple procedure, except for the fact that I never EVER do anything easily. The fact that I'm even having to have an embolization is rare in and of itself. And this will be my second one. All the numbers on my pulmonary lung function test stayed relatively stable, so that's good that my lung function hasn't dropped any. My weight was down 5 pounds, which is unfortunate. My stomach shrunk during my course of IVs combined with the stress of the last few weeks of school. All and all, it was a bit of a rough appointment. But that's CF life. You have good days, and you have not so good days. Even though I had hoped this break would be relatively free of health-crises, I am at peace knowing I can trust God through it all.
Dear friends and family, I hope you all are having a happy and healthy 2019! The Great Strides CF Walk is just around the corner, and we are gearing up for a great walk day! Since my last CF Walk letter, my health has had its ups and downs. Just before the CF walk last year, I got the sickest I have been in awhile and had to fight off pneumonia with the help of 4 weeks of IVs. I also had to do IV antibiotics in August and November. However, I have stayed relatively healthy in 2019, and for that, I am extremely grateful! Although I’ve had to fight off 2 colds, my body has been able to get through it without needing IV antibiotics. While I know I will need another round of IVs eventually, I am thoroughly enjoying being IV free. I credit this to the amazing CF therapies available to me, my compliance to my treatments, and all of your prayers for my health. I continue to take 30+ pills a day including enzymes to digest my food, vitamins and supplements that my body cannot absorb ...
Comments
Post a Comment