History II

I continued to work, driving truck, hoping that the symptoms of IPF, (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis), would somehow go away. I have always been a very healthy person so this was not something I was going to accept. When I came home from driving truck cross country I would visit my local Pulmonolgist to discuss any treatments that may help. He finally said that the only chance I had for survival was a transplant. I pushed him for someone doing research as an alternative to transplants, so he sent me to USF medical school. Come to find out it is really Tampa General Transplant Team. At this point I am willing to talk to anybody that will give me better news than needing a transplant. I went, with Lovely Linda to the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Center in October of 2009. They ran some breathing tests and talked about an experimental drug and test study that I may qualify for. By the time I left the office, I was told by Dr. Haddad that I didn't qualify for the study group. I was already beyond hope of recovery without a transplant. He also said I needed to be on oxygen because I wasn't getting enough to survive and I was setting myself up for a major heart attack or worse if I kept depriving my body of oxygen. I knew that I was in trouble. So I went home and they delivered all the oxygen equipment to the house the same day. Oh boy, now we're livin'.

Day 46

Took prescription for sleep last night, worked so-so. Man is it frustrating not being able to do things. I'm used to getting up and out early and being able to do whatever I want, including physical work. My mind says go, my body says woo. Anyway, took the dog to the Vet, early. Went to the store and the bank and did some work around the house, so I guess I'm not as useless as I think. This Stroke thing really sucks. Having trouble, still with my right side. Even typing is a challenge. I used to be four finger fast Freddy, now I'm 2 1/2 finger slow Moe. All in all things are progressing well. Thank you for your support.