Stories From The Chronic Life
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Taking Care of Others
So many times in life, we have to take the focus off our own problems and help others in need. February was like that for me.
My father has emphysema, but it's controllable with inhalers. At the end of January, he became very ill. Now that we've sorted it all out, there were three things that happened in a a span of a week. He had a reaction to a new drug, Spiriva, he developed a bronchial infection, and he was retaining fluids in his heart and lungs because he was taken off his diuretic.
The combination left us fearful and bewildered. He went from being able to walk 2 miles a day to not being able to get out of his chair without breathing troubles. It was so hard to watch this very active person be reduced to old age mentality.
In this case, it all worked out. Once each problem was indentified and resolved, his breathing returned to normal. The constant fatigue went away. It still took about two weeks for his body to return to health.
Things like this are not only scary for the person suffering from them, but for the family. One starts to think about how much care the person will need, will this be the best shape they'll be in for the rest of their lives, and so on. As a chronically ill person myself, the extra burden of keeping track of the doctors, treatments, and medications of another family member can really be overwhelming. Organization and support are the things that see your through.
My father has emphysema, but it's controllable with inhalers. At the end of January, he became very ill. Now that we've sorted it all out, there were three things that happened in a a span of a week. He had a reaction to a new drug, Spiriva, he developed a bronchial infection, and he was retaining fluids in his heart and lungs because he was taken off his diuretic.
The combination left us fearful and bewildered. He went from being able to walk 2 miles a day to not being able to get out of his chair without breathing troubles. It was so hard to watch this very active person be reduced to old age mentality.
In this case, it all worked out. Once each problem was indentified and resolved, his breathing returned to normal. The constant fatigue went away. It still took about two weeks for his body to return to health.
Things like this are not only scary for the person suffering from them, but for the family. One starts to think about how much care the person will need, will this be the best shape they'll be in for the rest of their lives, and so on. As a chronically ill person myself, the extra burden of keeping track of the doctors, treatments, and medications of another family member can really be overwhelming. Organization and support are the things that see your through.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!
I would like to wish all my readers a Happy 2008! May it be a prosperous, enjoyable year filled will whatever you want it to be.
I have to apologize for the lack of posts at the end of the year. I had so many things to do with the holidays that I didn't take time out for other things. It's difficult to juggle time and abilities when you live with a disability. I find that I get so much done then I'm fighting fatigue for a couple of days. When I get it back together, I'm right where I started! UGH!
I'll try my best to bring fresh material to the blog in the new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I have to apologize for the lack of posts at the end of the year. I had so many things to do with the holidays that I didn't take time out for other things. It's difficult to juggle time and abilities when you live with a disability. I find that I get so much done then I'm fighting fatigue for a couple of days. When I get it back together, I'm right where I started! UGH!
I'll try my best to bring fresh material to the blog in the new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Children and Chronic Pain
I can deal with my own limited abilities, but I really have a hard time when children are going through the same thing. We accept that adults will suffer more pains as they grow older. Children should never be pain though!
One of my 11 year old relatives was diagnosed with OCD (osteochondroitis dissecans) last March. After many tests, they determined their was a fracture in the ball of her femur. In OCD, the fracture doesn't heal. She couldn't walk without pain and her knee kept catching on the notch and locking up.
The first course of action was physical therapy. She seemed to do really well with that. After a month of crutches, she no longer needed them. It appeared that the doctors did the right thing.
Right after 4th of July everything changed. Her knee started popping again. And, then she was back on crutches and in pain.
The doctor decided it was time for surgery. The idea was the explore around maybe insert some pins and drill some holes. With OCD they are never sure what the outcome will be after surgery, but she couldn't walk anyway so they had to take the chance.
In August, she had outpatient surgery. They removed some tissue that was in the wrong place. They drilled small holes around the fracture to assist healing. She went home and spent 8 weeks non-weight bearing on crutches.
She's now in physical therapy. She's got some pain but now it's different pain. Only time will tell if the surgery heals her OCD. It's possible it may never heal fully and then she might face a life of disability. Things are looking good so far.
After going through what I've gone through, I hope to God she will heal! No child should have to go through this kind of discomfort. Children should never have to deal with chronic pain.
One of my 11 year old relatives was diagnosed with OCD (osteochondroitis dissecans) last March. After many tests, they determined their was a fracture in the ball of her femur. In OCD, the fracture doesn't heal. She couldn't walk without pain and her knee kept catching on the notch and locking up.
The first course of action was physical therapy. She seemed to do really well with that. After a month of crutches, she no longer needed them. It appeared that the doctors did the right thing.
Right after 4th of July everything changed. Her knee started popping again. And, then she was back on crutches and in pain.
The doctor decided it was time for surgery. The idea was the explore around maybe insert some pins and drill some holes. With OCD they are never sure what the outcome will be after surgery, but she couldn't walk anyway so they had to take the chance.
In August, she had outpatient surgery. They removed some tissue that was in the wrong place. They drilled small holes around the fracture to assist healing. She went home and spent 8 weeks non-weight bearing on crutches.
She's now in physical therapy. She's got some pain but now it's different pain. Only time will tell if the surgery heals her OCD. It's possible it may never heal fully and then she might face a life of disability. Things are looking good so far.
After going through what I've gone through, I hope to God she will heal! No child should have to go through this kind of discomfort. Children should never have to deal with chronic pain.
