Catching Up

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blogged in this long.  I'll catch you up.

At the beginning of May, I contracted a pretty bad chest cold.  Lots of congestion, coughing....etc.  It got worse and worse until it sounded like popcorn in my chest and each cough felt like my ribs were cracking.  My first doctor appt. was no help - bad cold, rest and take Mucinex and it will work itself out.  By the weekend, it was so bad that I ended up in the Saturday clinic, begging for relief.  This time, I got an antibiotic (Z-pack) and an inhaler.  Within a few days, I was hospitalized for severe pneumonia and so sick that I have very little recollection of much of the days before, during, and after.  What I do know is info from the dr and my family.

I was in the hospital for 3 days, doped to the gills (strong pain meds and IV ativan) for the chest pain and on strong antibiotics.  The renal specialist was extremely concerned that my liver and/or kidneys were being damaged by the pneumonia, as I was spilling large amounts of protein into my urine.  I recovered enough for them to send me home, but I've been incredibly busy with follow-up appts.  There's my primary, internal med, psychiatrist, therapist, and radiologist.  I spend 2-3 days a week at the native hospital.  I'm so ready to feel "good" again.

Since leaving the hospital, my agoraphobia has gotten so bad that most days I just don't leave the house. I'm working with my psychiatrist and therapist to beat it, but that means weekly therapy sessions and herculean doses of klonopin.  I hope it works soon - I want my life back!