Carole....

How did you get on?

Ann

Hi , I guess you r referring to the hospice. Spent an hour there going through things and have an appt. to see a specialist next WEdnesday to work out the best course of action also on the Thurs. I am being picked up to atten d the day centre where one can meet other people socially, have a free lunch, physio and relaxation classes if wanted. So we'll wsit and see. Breathing particularly bad the least few days so have done nothing. Although the days seem to go quickly getting nowhere. Tell me more about your self Ann when you can spare the time. Luv Carole :roll: :D

Hi Carole,

it's good to hear about your day centre plans - i bet you will enjoy spending some regular time out of the house and meeting new people. I find I spend too much time in isolation, and sometimes I really lose the incentive to go anywhere or do anything. it all seems such an effort, and yet when I do finally get out somewhere I always feel better for it and enjoy my day more.

I hope next weeks appointment with the specialist results in you being given something to help your breathing - it's frustrating isn't it, how each time we have an appointment for something it always seems to lead to another one - no one seems to sort things out there and then, if you know what I mean. I think Ann will be finding that out over the coming months too.

I wonder how Jacee's getting on in Greece - I bet she's loving it lapping up that sunshine! The summer seems to have gone by so quickly this year.

Oh well, I'll say goodnight for now - talk to you again soon, thinking of you, Vanessa xx :rainbow:

Hi all, I'm back. I have had a fortnight lying in the sun :towel: and have a lovely tan 8). Big mix up when I arrived at the departure airport though because my wonderfully incompetent travel agent had filled in details on the computer that I had no health needs (although she had booked aviation oxygen for me to use during the flight) that my husband had respiratory difficulties (news to him) and that neither of us would need any assistance to board/leave the aircraft (which I definitely do) :zoom:. It was all eventually sorted out and I am looking forward to going to the travel agents at the weekend to bawl her out :steam: as my husband had given her full details and then gone in again to double check and was told everything was sorted!! I did not use oxygen whilst I was there (with my consultant's blessing) and was okay, though got tired towards the end of the holiday.

Hi Carole, how did seeing the specialist go? Any further news to share? And your day out to the day centre? Did you shake them all up and how good was the free lunch :cupcake: :donut: :flan: ?

Hi Vanessa, hope things are going well for you and that you got your daughter off to university without too many problems. This is not the time to be isolated so get yourself out and about as often as you can.

Hi Anne, hope all is also well with you. Any further news? Still not smoking?

Hi Karen12, hope you are not still working too hard? Use some time for you!!

I have really missed you all and am glad to be back, even if the weather is lousy. What happened to the promised Indian Summer? I'm shivering! I do wish we all lived nearer to each other; I could come and pick you up Vanessa, Carole and Anne and then we could all descend on Karen's pub for a swift half or five!! :cheers: :ale: :bubbly: :redwine: :guinness: Oh, joy!!!

Jacee

xx.:nahnah:

Hi Jacee,

Sounds like you had a really great holiday despite incompetent travel agent!!! You certainly sound bright and breezy.

Haven't heard from Vanessa in a while but I expect she's been busy with daughter/uni. My three have all finished with Uni now but two of them still live at home. Daughetr has just done the Great North Run. Felt proud but also ashamed as I wheezed my way from the Metro to the finish line to see her come in at 2hours 35 minutes (13 and a half miles!). As you can tell she doesn't smoke and never has. Unfortunately my other two do!

I am still not smoking. Most days okay but sometimes get a very strong urge which as time has gone on is easier to resist.

My appointment with respiratory consultant at local hospital is at the end of October (I could have had an earlier appointment but chose my local hospital.) I'm going for flu/pnemonia vaccinations soon. I'm a bit dubious about them because of my low immune system but the health professionals say I should have them so I exepct it's ok - unless you guys know better???

I look forward to hearing from everyone soon,

Take care,

Ann

Hi Ann and Jacee

Sorry not to have posted lately but have had a busy time. My son has been in hospital having an Op that we have been wanting but dreading for some time - they tried to perform it earlier in the year but closed him up with out completing it as they 'lost him' twice. This time it went perfectly and we are all in celebratory mood now that he is safely home! BTW just to clear up a slight misunderstanding, Issy has just started 6th form college - not Uni - she is only 16 - she is still at home, though it doesn't feel like it as it is a couple of hours journey away.

Jacee, glad to hear you had a good time - I'm sure the sunshine did you good. Thank you by the way, for inadvertently introducing myself and Issy to the poetry of Suheir Hammad - we were so taken with the poem you posted for Tessa that I bought a copy of her book 'Zaatar Diva'.

Ann - congratulations to your daughter for doing the Great North Run - I watched it on TV and was so excited by it all that I am determined to train to compete in either the 2011 or 2012 one. Admittedly I wouldn't be able to run it, but I could do a good fast walk if I really train - I do a minimum of 1 mile a day now so its just a case of increasing distance. OK so I'm probably over optimistic - but we shall see. Anyone else up for doing it :?:

Ann, re flu/pneumonia jabs - YES do have them! While they can't give us 100% protection against all strains, they do cover the current and most common types. Flu / pneumonia are the last thing you want and as well as having the jab you need to do all you can to avoid cold / flu infections through the winter months. Many COPD'ers stay stable for twenty or more years if they avoid infections, take their meds etc. One bad bout of flu / pneumonia can increase the severity of your disease considerably. You really have to consciously take care of yourself from now on. :nurse:

It was lovely to see new posts from you both and know that you are both well. Talk to you again soon, lots of love, Vanessa xxxx

PS Jan, I noticed you only sign on as 'guest' lately, did you forget your password?

PPS hope we hear off Carole soon - Carole if you are reading this, do get in touch - even if you just type 'Hi' , lots love Vanessaxxx

Hi Ann, lovely to hear you are still hanging in there.....and I know it's not easy. Having been a 50 a day puffer though I know that if I can give up anyone can, as long as the motivation is there you can withstand the temptation for as long as it lasts and fight to be a \"smoke free zone\". Like you I have 2 out of 3 children who smoke, though they are not children any more (36, 33 and nearly 20). I still feel really guilty that this is probably because their dad and I smoked. Keep going, you can do it. Have you told the kids why you are stopping yet? Difficult I know but they can be a source of support and they may hold it against you if they find out later that you kept it from them. Anyway, think about it.

You must have been really proud of your daughter. 2 hours 35 minutes for 13 and a half miles is some going. I would probably take 13 hours for 2.35 miles!

I had a great holiday, thanks. I love the sunshine so much and can get really down if I am out of it for a long time. I keep asking for a prescription to live somewhere warmer (on the NHS of course) but nobody can be persuaded as yet.

Flu/pneumonia jabs are an excellent idea and help to ward off or minimise the dreaded bugs. Your immune system needs all the help it can get! I will think about you going to see your consultant. Try to use a little notebook and jot down things as you think of them to ask or tell him (or her) and don't be frightened to ask them to repeat things so that you can take notes if you wish to during the appointment.

Hi Van, my hubby is shouting that my evening meal is ready so I will complete this later.

Jacee

xx

PS Can't log in cos it keeps telling me that my user name is already taken!

Hi Van,

Glad you liked the poetry. It is something I got \"into\" in college and one of the few things I have kept up.

You must have been so worried about Isaac, given what happened before, and so relieved that things are now okay. I'm glad you have both got it over with now. Tell Issy I am sorry I aged her 2 years, my misunderstanding.

I had a lovely holiday - it was scorching hot and sooooo relaxing. That's why I love going to Greece. And the people are wonderful, so friendly and genuine. I may retire there eventually, except, now I think about it and recall my time in a Greek hospital last year, their medical provisions are not really up to our standards.

The Great North Run? Who would have thought, this time last year, that you would be doing a minimum of a mile a day? I will definitely sponsor you in 2011/12 so get in training!

Jacee

xx

PS I am sending Carol a PM.

Hi Everyone - long time no post. Just spent half-hour posting then lost the lot I have been pretty lousy lately it seems that everyday things get just that little bit worse.. At 2a.m. fri.morning I got attacked by a tummy bug. The firs tcouple of times I managed to get to the loo in time but the next 2/3 times it did'nt give me a chance. All over my cream carpet and nearly the entire bathroom floor and there was nothing I could do to clean it up. My poor daughter had that job and what a mess! Around 8a.m. 'poo-poo' decided to leave me, then I slept for roughly 20 out of next 24 hours- no food, no nothing. Yesterday I felt a little brighter but still unable to do anything at all. My 'ex' stayed for the weekend but has gone home tonight. Today not good again. They wanted me in hospital last week have gone in on FRiday but for the stomach bug. I have been to he Hospice x 2 and have met a lovely doctor who has upped my oramorph and given saline nebs. They help with the 'shakes' and the salt is good for u. The day care (once a week) is very good with reflexology breathing exercises and a free lunch. The other patients seem much fitter than me. I appear to be the only one with obvious signs of distress. Poor,poor me! ha ha. Anyway thats my up-date. Breathe in for the count of 2 and puff outforthe count of four from ones diaphramn. Breathing anyway at all is an art in itself. Hope u are all a little brighter and will be in touch soon (I hope)Thinking of you - Carole :wink: :roll: :evil:

Hi Carole, Glad you are keeping busy but very sorry to hear about your general health and the \"bug\" - nasty little blighter. Hospital was probably the best place for you to deal with such a bad bout.

Hospice sounds nice, especially the lovely doc. Can't beat a man who ups your oramorphs! (I have no idea what this is but it sounds very exciting!).

I did the breathing exercises at my pulmonary rehab (in for 2 and out for 4) and you are right in stating it is an art in itself. Day care sounds interesting though, I love reflexology. I know that there have been literally hundreds of reflexology studies conducted. In particular, a Chinese survey of 8,096 case studies noted a 94% effective or significantly effective rate in reducing stress and anxiety, lessening of pain, etc. So, good stuff.

It was lovely to hear from you, and I know you sometimes find it difficult so your post is all the more welcome. Keep fighting Carole nd try to post again soon.

Jacee

xx

Oh dear Carole you poor thing! I hate tummy bugs more than anything in the world - although I did used to have a sneaky bit of pleasure at looking to see how much weight I'd lost. I do hope that you are feeling a little stronger now.

I'm with Jacee on the upping of your oramorph by a lovely doctor! Sounds great! :lol:

Weather to day has been lovely here and I've been out for a walk.

Still off the fags.

Turned up for my flu/pneumonia jabs on Saturday to be told that the flu vaccine hadn't arrived yet. Have to go later in October.

Have got date to go to respiratory consultant at end of October - what can I expect to happen at this appointment?

Take care everyone, speak soon,

Ann

Hi Carole, Jacee and Ann,

Great to see everyone here - do love you all loads :love: Carole, sorry to hear that you had such an upsetting time but glad that you have a nice Doc - must agree with the others too when it comes to the upping of your oramorphs' - sounds positively toe curling :wink:

Jacee, if the 'jobsworths' don't hurry up and get their acts together, tell them you're installing a Gym in the office so you can work out while you await a decision (charge it to them of course :twisted: ).

Ann, sorry to hear you are still waiting for your jabs (had mine last week). Do remember that from now on you have to get serious about avoiding those cold and 'flu bugs - will write more about that in a week or two perhaps when I feel more up to it.

Folks, I've stopped exercising since last Thursday as I had a pretty scary bleed despite having been menopausal for six years now. It has continued on and off ever since and I'm feeling a bit run down, tired and nauseous. I've seen a GP and am now awaiting a hospital appointment for a (wait for it)........Transvaginal Ultrasound scan :roll: ...... now, does that trump getting your oramorphs upped I wonder :lol: !!! Apparently it should all happen pretty quick as guidelines state it must be considered as cancer until proved otherwise. Do note - this is as a precaution - nine times out of ten some other cause is found.

I had the Doc in fits today - think the sunshine went to my head. He said he couldn't believe how happy and funny I could be when I've got copd, a nose hose, and now face the possibility of uterine / endometrial cancer.

I explained that in actual fact I'm experiencing spontaneous rejuvenation and that having regained my periods the next stage would be the spontaneous uplift of my bust and the falling away of all wrinkles and saggy bits He had been doing his best not to laugh but he eventually succumbed and I left him looking a lot happier than when I found him - which in turn made me feel a whole lot lighter too. incidentally - he printed out some info for my perusal while waiting for the appointment - and guess what - it was PatientUK stuff - so now it's official we ARE the best site!!!

I will be OK with all this folks, whatever the outcome. I find my copd has made me a much stronger person, and has bought me just as many gifts as it has problems. I also know that I have all of you with me, and that lifts me up more than you can imagine xxxx so thank you xxxxx

:rose: Lots of Love Van x

Hi Van,

I just wanted to say how lovely it was to read your cheerful post even tho' things are not going too well for you lately. I hope that your son has fully recovered from his op now.

Well fancy you having a transvaginal ultrasound - better Carole would swap that for her upping oramorphs any day!!!! Seriously though I do hope that you get it all dealt with quickly and that it isn't cancer.

I had cancer 22 years ago. I was so pleased that the diagnosis was given quickly so that treatment could get started - in my case an operation followed by radiotherapy. All clear now! So, in your case I'm glad that they treat it as a priority until proved otherwise!

Hmmm! Stay away from colds and flu? Well I'm doing supply teaching this week so heaven knows what germs will be floating around BUT we will have the windows open, I will have antibacterial hand wash with me and I will take in a box of tissues for the little monkeys to use. I can't NOT teach. I love it too much and part of having a good immune system is mental happiness - well my immune system is pants but I am happy most of the time - especially when I'm teaching!

Thinking of you Van - let us know how you get on!

Take care,

Ann x

:oops: should say 'bet Carole' not 'better Carole'

My fingers run away on the keyboard so excuse my typos! :?

Van, I have everything crossed for you (typing with crossed fingers and crossed eyes is NOT easy).

Bundles of love

Jacee

xx :love: