Last week I found myself overwhelmed
with gratitude while walking around the grocery store. In recent months grocery
shopping has all too often been a monumental task. I frequently did not have
the energy or lung capacity to walk around a store or carry groceries, and I
typically only shopped for a few immediate necessities, as that was the most I
could manage. But last week, I found myself handling this errand with relative
ease, not needing to walk at a snail’s pace, and being able to purchase items
without worrying about whether I’d have the strength to get them inside and put
them away. I was so grateful to be able to manage this task independently and
without strain.
It seemed appropriate that I had this
experience on a Thursday, which Meredith had long designated as “Thankful
Thursday,” when she would list the various things she was grateful for that
week, big or small. Though I’ve never officially posted a regular Thankful
Thursday list, I try to let Meredith’s attitude of gratitude guide me and
remind me that we can find things to appreciate, enjoy, and be thankful for
even in the most difficult of circumstances.
My lungs have actually been mostly
keeping it together recently despite dropping my Prednisone dose to the lowest
it’s been in over 4 months. During the last couple years I’ve consistently gone
to pieces as soon as the Prednisone came down, so I’m both surprised and
grateful! It’s particularly surprising given that allergy season is in full swing
right now, which usually does a number on my lungs. This year I haven’t noticed
much impact though, so hopefully 2 years of weekly torture in the form of
allergy shots is actually paying off!
We aren’t entirely sure why I’m doing so
much better this time around, but there is one strong possibility. As part of
my nebulizer routine, I inhale an antibiotic twice a day to help reduce lung
infections. I typically alternate between 2 antibiotics every other month to
reduce the likelihood of becoming resistant. In 2017, however, one of my
antibiotics was not covered by my insurance. They did cover a third antibiotic,
but my airways are overly sensitive to that one and when I used it in the past I
had an asthmatic reaction. So last year I ended up using one nebulized
antibiotic all year long. Medicare, however, DOES cover the second antibiotic,
so I used it in February and April. It’s very likely that my current improved
lung function is due to having that antibiotic back in play. Amazing what
happens when you actually have access to the right medication!
Of course, I know that I very likely
will still get sick and end up back on IVs sometime within the next few months.
That was already happening before I went off the other antibiotic, so having it
back will only take me so far. On the plus side, I’m now building up my strength
in pulmonary rehab, and with the port we can throw IV hydration at me as soon
as things look the slightest bit sketchy, so hopefully I’ll be more able to fend
off infections. In the meantime, I’m trying to cram in All The Things now while
I still have the energy and lung capacity for it! In the last 2 weeks I’ve gone
rock collecting at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, spent an evening in NYC,
and gone to the Philadelphia Renaissance Faire. Special thanks to Katherine,
who helped out with carrying things and driving when I was too tired, and made
these fun excursions possible! I am so grateful that things are currently going
relatively smoothly and that I’m able to get out and enjoy myself. Here’s
hoping I can squeeze in a lot more fun during this round of decent health!
