A little setback...

I started feeling ill last Sunday, chills/fever/headache.  I awoke Monday AM with pink eye and feeling rather poorly.  I called into work (which I never do) and laid low. I continued with a low grade fever and since I'm on immunosuppresion my docs red flags go up.  I wasn't too concerned, just thought it was a nasty virus.  My PCP wanted to cover me so he prescribed a strong antibiotic, I'm not too keen on using antibiotics --- if it's a virus antibiotics don't kill viruses and if I get really sick I want antibiotics to cover any bacteria I'm fighting. Overuse of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance.
But alas, I'm a compliant patient and started my antibiotic.  I already a routine office call scheduled with my pulmonologist on Weds and would discuss my symptoms further with him.  My lung function testing dropped a bit- to 24% so when he came in he looked a bit concerned.  He said, "Either you're sick or we going to have a conversation about going back on the active transplant list."
I assured him I was sick but not really having respiratory issues.
We decided to do a chest X-ray, I was quite certain it would be negative and I wouldn't have to continue the antibiotic. To my dismay, the good Dr. Mcclelland called to tell me I had right lower lobe pneumonia ! Come on! I rested up and I finished my last antibiotic today and am feeling better.
You never know what is around the corner.

On another front, my son will be starting kindergarten next week!!! Talk about nerve wracking! Pray all goes well, I know he will be fine.  I'm the one who will be constantly worrying.

Pulmonary Rehab- what!

During my transplant eval, I had to see a respiratory therapist who specializes in helping those with lung disease exercise and how to breathe when you become short of breath.  Since I'm younger they felt my current regimen of Pilates was good and I didn't have to formally join a pulm rehab program.
Whew! I didn't want to join that program, not yet. I knew that the general population was older and I understood what was taught- I prescribe for patients.
Well, it's only a matter of time and a piece of humble pie will be served to you.
I think I flew under the radar a bit due to my age, the transplant doc in GR here prescribed the rehab a few wks ago.  I thought, really??  My wonderful pulmonologist told me to swallow my pride and do it.
Contrary to what many have heard about healthcare workers being the worst patients, I am a very good patient.  My thought is if I'm gonna preach it then I gotta do it.  I'm at the halfway point of pulmonary rehab.
For those who don't know, in this particular rehab you exercise on different equipment for an allotted time and then your oxygen and pulse are taken after each exercise.  There are trained staff there watching and helping if need be.  You then attend a class after your exercise on different topics- home exercise programs, medications, breathing techniques, etc.
Sounds harmless, right ? MY first class topic just happened to be on intimacy and breathing techniques.  WHAT?!? Needless to say, it was a bit uncomfortable sitting with 5 older gentleman (avg age 70) talking about this.
I gotta laugh - what else can you do? There was even a booklet passed out with, ummmm, illustrations. I will spare posting those.
I will be sharing this with Dr Mcclelland so he can never tell me to swallow my pride again! :)

It's fine, another hurdle I shall jump.  Those pesky stairs are my kryptonite!