Hugs Grace:)))
Nice to here you had a great time at your sisters wedding .You have earned
some smile time.
Not happy to here of fluid build up. Can you sleep with head 45 degree to
aid breathing ?
Bruce On.

news:40942C70.B05B68FE@casselman.net...

Hi Grace,
I am sure you are exhausted, but thrilled, from having made it to your
sister's wedding. I wasn't sure when you would be up to posting after the
trip and excitement. I think of you, your struggles and courage every day. I
hope the results of your MRI will be very good and that they can get a
handle on your lung problem quickly.
Hugs to you.
BJ-Sk. Canada

Welcom back Grace, I'm sorry to hear about your lungs.
Were you somewhere damp/humid? Something hit my lungs yesterday morning.
Coincidentally it turned rainy and cool the same day, but I did have
something like you describe 6? years ago.  A walkin clinic told me it might
be "walking pneumonia".  It was some months after I had a different
infection and had been on antibiotics. The fluids just poured out of my
mouth for over a month.  Then my feet and lower legs went black and blue. a
doctor later told me that was a sign of "blood poisoning"/infection. It
went away eventually.
I wonder if you have bronchial pneumonia? (since you're coughing too).

I hope you feel better soon.  Will you tell us about this lovely wig that
your family gave you?
I'd loved to hear your description.

( ( ( Grace ) ) )
J

I'm so glad you had a good time with your family. Weddings are always fun!

But this lung thing is a little scary. Can you see a pulmonologist?

You might be a petite thing but 98 pounds is getting very low even for a
petite adult.
Sending warm gentle ((((HUGS)))) your way
Bev

Hi Grace.  I've just been reading off and on here for a few weeks or so, and
am putting together my *intro* but wanted to take the time to talk to you.
I am 62 (in August), and have multiple autoimmune diseases at least since I
was 22 with the birth of my first baby, but it is questionable about some of
my heart and urinary problems that *seemed* to come from my bout of
rheumatic fever at age eight.

I have had problems with asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia for10+ years,
which required steroids, antibiotics, and breathing machine treatments four
times a day, along with the ever-present inhaler in my purse at all times.
Cancer/chemo is one thing I have never had..... at least as of right now,
any way.  With all the diseases, though, who knows what is next!  LOL

It was during the steroid treatment of the asthma that we found the help it
gave with the autoimmune diseases.  Now, I cannot be without it.  We're
hoping to be able to restart the Methotrexate (my *miracle* drug), thereby
being able to go off or greatly reduce the Prednisone.  I'm on 20 mg a day
now, down from 40, but unable to go any lower.

I know all about having the *stuff* in the lungs, yet tests and x-rays not
being definitive.  Currently, I have a *wet rattle/sputum* that I cannot
attribute to any certain thing.  A couple of times, it had bright red
streaks of blood, but small, looking more like contact with irritation of
the membranes.  Sometimes I wheeze, sometimes I do not.  My asthma is
definitely worsened by exercise, so since I am bedridden, it is under good
control.  Stress **does** worsen mine noticeably.  I have learned throughout
the years with psychological therapy to *know my body* and its reaction to
*life* around me.

I, too, lost weight on Prednisone at first, until the Cushing's Syndrome
started taking form, and *transformed* my body into an indescribable,
deplorable shape.  That was hard for me to cope with emotionally.  When I
looked into the mirror, I did not recognize the image I saw at all.  It is
better, but I'm still overweight, after a lifetime of being tall and skinny.
Now, thanks to the osteoporosis, I have shrunk 1.5 inches, and had
difficulty standing straight.

Don't know that I can help any or not, but at least I've been there sans the
cancer.

Congratulations on the wig!!  With my thinning hair, I know how different
you must feel with it.  I am unable to take care of my daily needs, and my
hair is the pits.  We're going to see if I can get Home Health to come to
help me.

(((((HUGS)))))
Billie
Christmas morning before sunup!!
http://wagesloft.net/beforesunup3.jpg