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Patient and Caregiver Diaries
Patient Diary -- Lynn Smith
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Tuesday, September 18, 2001
Lynn's Journey Journal "A Battle with PPH"
This is the beginning of Lynn Walkers PPH Journey and Journal. I traveled to Duke University Medical Center yesterday (9/17/01) with my husband and daughter. I went to see a Pulmonolgist Dr. Victor Tapson, who evaluates a lung disease called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. I was sort of diagnosed with PPH on August 21, 2001. My Cardiologist did a Right Heart Cath and suspected PPH. My automatic reaction was to look on the Intranet to see what I could find out. Wow, was I ever blown out of my chair by what I had just read. I burst out in tears fearing for my life, thinking of my only child, thinking of my stepson and husband. What would become of them, what I would be missing out on. How could I tell my family that my time with them may be cut short. After a couple of days of this I finally shared it with my family who had the natural reaction. My family and I were hoping that there was possibly a mistake. My Duke visit was a slap of reality. A look into my life and our future. After my visit Nicki, Terry and I stood out in the parking deck hugged and cried a bit. All the way home we talked, cried, talked and cried some more. We are all scared to death of what will be the evident. I told them to "Mourn me little, Love me long" BUT?. in the meantime, I will take the meds that have been given to me, try and do what the doctors ask and pray a lot. I have always been a fighter, one who at times seeks out a challenge. I will continue to be a fighter. When I do go?I will do so with both fists up. I'm sure that after all of this has soaked in some of the shock will wear off. I will try my best to write frequently with thoughts, how I feel that day or simply something that happened?Until then :')
Lynn's Journey Journal "A Battle with PPH"
This is the beginning of Lynn Walkers PPH Journey and Journal. I traveled to Duke University Medical Center yesterday (9/17/01) with my husband and daughter. I went to see a Pulmonolgist Dr. Victor Tapson, who evaluates a lung disease called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. I was sort of diagnosed with PPH on August 21, 2001. My Cardiologist did a Right Heart Cath and suspected PPH. My automatic reaction was to look on the Intranet to see what I could find out. Wow, was I ever blown out of my chair by what I had just read. I burst out in tears fearing for my life, thinking of my only child, thinking of my stepson and husband. What would become of them, what I would be missing out on. How could I tell my family that my time with them may be cut short. After a couple of days of this I finally shared it with my family who had the natural reaction. My family and I were hoping that there was possibly a mistake. My Duke visit was a slap of reality. A look into my life and our future. After my visit Nicki, Terry and I stood out in the parking deck hugged and cried a bit. All the way home we talked, cried, talked and cried some more. We are all scared to death of what will be the evident. I told them to "Mourn me little, Love me long" BUT?. in the meantime, I will take the meds that have been given to me, try and do what the doctors ask and pray a lot. I have always been a fighter, one who at times seeks out a challenge. I will continue to be a fighter. When I do go?I will do so with both fists up. I'm sure that after all of this has soaked in some of the shock will wear off. I will try my best to write frequently with thoughts, how I feel that day or simply something that happened?Until then :')
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Friday, September 21, 2001
It's me again?with updates I started a new medication yesterday. I tolerated it ok I guess. I will be returning to Duke sometime within the next 2 weeks. I have to have another Heart Cath done. I will also undergo more testing. Terry spoke with Michelle last night about Andrew. Kristi (Andrew's cousin) said something to Andrew at school about my being sick. Andrew was upset and crying to his mom. I feel so bad?. I tried talking to him a little, but I still did not tell him everything. I was afraid of scarring him. I'm sure his dad tried talking to him also. How much do you tell a 12 year old. I know Andrew loves me in his own way, and God knows that I love him and treat him like my own. Hurting him is the last thing I ever want to do. So, we will have to sit him down tonight and tell him about what is going on. Maybe he want be upset at me?. We'll see! In the meantime, I am trying my best to keep my head up, not dwell on everything. I still hope deep down that there has been some sort of mistake. I will have to face reality sooner or later. Until then?J
It's me again?with updates I started a new medication yesterday. I tolerated it ok I guess. I will be returning to Duke sometime within the next 2 weeks. I have to have another Heart Cath done. I will also undergo more testing. Terry spoke with Michelle last night about Andrew. Kristi (Andrew's cousin) said something to Andrew at school about my being sick. Andrew was upset and crying to his mom. I feel so bad?. I tried talking to him a little, but I still did not tell him everything. I was afraid of scarring him. I'm sure his dad tried talking to him also. How much do you tell a 12 year old. I know Andrew loves me in his own way, and God knows that I love him and treat him like my own. Hurting him is the last thing I ever want to do. So, we will have to sit him down tonight and tell him about what is going on. Maybe he want be upset at me?. We'll see! In the meantime, I am trying my best to keep my head up, not dwell on everything. I still hope deep down that there has been some sort of mistake. I will have to face reality sooner or later. Until then?J
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Tuesday, October 23, 2001
It's been almost one month since I've written. I had an appointment in Duke last week (10/17 & 10/18). I met Michele Johnson for the first time. She seemed very pleasant and nice to speak with. I had cath #2 done on Thursday 10/18. That was a very rough day for me and for Terry I'm sure. I woke up that a.m. with a bad headache. When I got to the Heart Cath Ward and got settled in they gave me a couple of shots. One of which made me loo loo. It took forever for them to get me to the Cath Lab to begin the procedure. Once in the lab they gave me a couple more shots, then started the procedure. They did a trial on Nitra Oxide gas and was able to see my pressure drop from about 88 to 20ish. Once the pressure went back up they tried me on Flolan, which I was not happy about. I think the Flolan and the pain shots made me sick, sick, sick. Anyway the Flolan also reduced my lung pressure. While the shots were working, I could at times hear around me, but was barely able to talk, plain anyway. I remember thinking to myself and wondering if later in this disease if this was the way I would feel. I surely hope not. I was down right miserable and incoherent. I know that as time passes the disease will progress into being unpleasant. When that time comes, I hope I will be stronger mentally and willing to accept it a bit better. I am still not wanting to accept the fact how terrible this disease is and will be. Still hoping that I may be the exception? I will begin taking at least 11 pills on a daily basis on Friday. I'm sure that will change later. I begin going to the LAB this Thursday 10/25 to have blood drawn on a weekly basis and on a bi-weekly basis I will need to have a lot of LAB work done. I know I will begin to look like a pin cushion, black and blue. So look out needles, here I come. My biggest hope is that my husband will not stop loving me or supporting me. I hope he will remain strong, for that will help me to be somewhat stronger. My daughter, I know is hurting with this, but I know she will be there through everything just like my mom. God love them all and protect them. I did ask Michele at Duke what my daughter's chance of getting PPH was, and she said slim to none. They know enough about this disease to know that it is genetic. Hopefully, Nicki and her children and their children will be kept safe from this. I certainly hope so. I will continue to hope and pray for a cure far beyond the grave. Until next time and many pills later?J
It's been almost one month since I've written. I had an appointment in Duke last week (10/17 & 10/18). I met Michele Johnson for the first time. She seemed very pleasant and nice to speak with. I had cath #2 done on Thursday 10/18. That was a very rough day for me and for Terry I'm sure. I woke up that a.m. with a bad headache. When I got to the Heart Cath Ward and got settled in they gave me a couple of shots. One of which made me loo loo. It took forever for them to get me to the Cath Lab to begin the procedure. Once in the lab they gave me a couple more shots, then started the procedure. They did a trial on Nitra Oxide gas and was able to see my pressure drop from about 88 to 20ish. Once the pressure went back up they tried me on Flolan, which I was not happy about. I think the Flolan and the pain shots made me sick, sick, sick. Anyway the Flolan also reduced my lung pressure. While the shots were working, I could at times hear around me, but was barely able to talk, plain anyway. I remember thinking to myself and wondering if later in this disease if this was the way I would feel. I surely hope not. I was down right miserable and incoherent. I know that as time passes the disease will progress into being unpleasant. When that time comes, I hope I will be stronger mentally and willing to accept it a bit better. I am still not wanting to accept the fact how terrible this disease is and will be. Still hoping that I may be the exception? I will begin taking at least 11 pills on a daily basis on Friday. I'm sure that will change later. I begin going to the LAB this Thursday 10/25 to have blood drawn on a weekly basis and on a bi-weekly basis I will need to have a lot of LAB work done. I know I will begin to look like a pin cushion, black and blue. So look out needles, here I come. My biggest hope is that my husband will not stop loving me or supporting me. I hope he will remain strong, for that will help me to be somewhat stronger. My daughter, I know is hurting with this, but I know she will be there through everything just like my mom. God love them all and protect them. I did ask Michele at Duke what my daughter's chance of getting PPH was, and she said slim to none. They know enough about this disease to know that it is genetic. Hopefully, Nicki and her children and their children will be kept safe from this. I certainly hope so. I will continue to hope and pray for a cure far beyond the grave. Until next time and many pills later?J
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Monday, November 26, 2001
Well, it's just a few after the Thanksgiving Holiday and back to work now. I thought the holiday was wonderful. I cooked a great big meal for supper on Thanksgiving. Most of those I hold very dear were there. I enjoyed this to no end. It was so very nice to be able to do this. I'm not sure how long I can continue to cook, clean etc., to get ready for a Holiday. This was very tiring for me, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Terry and I went to a Panthers game yesterday (Sunday). Again, the Panthers lost but was still a great experience. I was able to walk pretty good going to the stadium, but afterwards it was a little hard to walk back to the car. Most of it was slightly up hill. I found myself slowing down several times. Finally?We reached the car and was on our way back home. We had to get out of Charlotte first. We drove in one great big circle for about 45 minutes, then we found Hwy. 16. I have an appointment at Duke on Thursday, 11/28. Mom is going down with me this time. I hope things turn out good. I can't stand to hear her cry. It hurts me? I feel like the meds are working. My legs are not getting that funny feeling anymore, except when I walk a great distance up hill. My heart is not beating hard by simply turning over in bed. But, I do get short of breath from time to time, without exertion and I do get tired often. My headaches are letting up now. I think I am finally adjusting to the meds. My stomach is upset from time to time. Seems like I am full of complaints in this log today. It's just been a while since I've posted. Really, I feel pretty good and very grateful. I have been going on the PHCentral a lot lately. I have learned a great deal there. And have met several friends. One of which is located in Morganton. I hope to meet with her on Dec. 7th. OH! That's my (little) brother's birthday. I think he will be 34 or 35. Not so little is he???
Well, it's just a few after the Thanksgiving Holiday and back to work now. I thought the holiday was wonderful. I cooked a great big meal for supper on Thanksgiving. Most of those I hold very dear were there. I enjoyed this to no end. It was so very nice to be able to do this. I'm not sure how long I can continue to cook, clean etc., to get ready for a Holiday. This was very tiring for me, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Terry and I went to a Panthers game yesterday (Sunday). Again, the Panthers lost but was still a great experience. I was able to walk pretty good going to the stadium, but afterwards it was a little hard to walk back to the car. Most of it was slightly up hill. I found myself slowing down several times. Finally?We reached the car and was on our way back home. We had to get out of Charlotte first. We drove in one great big circle for about 45 minutes, then we found Hwy. 16. I have an appointment at Duke on Thursday, 11/28. Mom is going down with me this time. I hope things turn out good. I can't stand to hear her cry. It hurts me? I feel like the meds are working. My legs are not getting that funny feeling anymore, except when I walk a great distance up hill. My heart is not beating hard by simply turning over in bed. But, I do get short of breath from time to time, without exertion and I do get tired often. My headaches are letting up now. I think I am finally adjusting to the meds. My stomach is upset from time to time. Seems like I am full of complaints in this log today. It's just been a while since I've posted. Really, I feel pretty good and very grateful. I have been going on the PHCentral a lot lately. I have learned a great deal there. And have met several friends. One of which is located in Morganton. I hope to meet with her on Dec. 7th. OH! That's my (little) brother's birthday. I think he will be 34 or 35. Not so little is he???
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Wednesday, December 26, 2001
WOW, what a wonderful Christmas. I think just having family around was the greatest gift! Now, New Years is just around the corner. I met with my new PHfriend who lives near by. What a wonderful lady she is. Thanks KarenW for being that special friend. It was so very nice to meet her and sit a chat about PH. It's amazing what you can learn just by talking with others. I started Cardiopulmonary Rehab a few weeks ago. That seems to be going well. I think it has helped me to regain some strength back. I really do alot of walking and working my legs and upper body. My next appointment at Duke will be on Jan. 8th and 9th 2002. That's my 12 week mark. I will have the regular labs, walk and bike test on the 8th. On the 9th I will have RHC #3. I'm a bit worried about it. When is enough? How often can someone have a RHC done? I sure hope the RHC shows that my pressures are down a bit and that my right heart has gone down some. I will also enter the 40 week Sitaxsentan Study. In this study, I will know that I am on the actual meds, I just will not know what mg's. Until next time, LETSHOPETODAY...
WOW, what a wonderful Christmas. I think just having family around was the greatest gift! Now, New Years is just around the corner. I met with my new PHfriend who lives near by. What a wonderful lady she is. Thanks KarenW for being that special friend. It was so very nice to meet her and sit a chat about PH. It's amazing what you can learn just by talking with others. I started Cardiopulmonary Rehab a few weeks ago. That seems to be going well. I think it has helped me to regain some strength back. I really do alot of walking and working my legs and upper body. My next appointment at Duke will be on Jan. 8th and 9th 2002. That's my 12 week mark. I will have the regular labs, walk and bike test on the 8th. On the 9th I will have RHC #3. I'm a bit worried about it. When is enough? How often can someone have a RHC done? I sure hope the RHC shows that my pressures are down a bit and that my right heart has gone down some. I will also enter the 40 week Sitaxsentan Study. In this study, I will know that I am on the actual meds, I just will not know what mg's. Until next time, LETSHOPETODAY...
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Thursday, January 10, 2002
My husband and I traveled to Duke for my 2 day visit on 1/8/02 and 1/9/02. On the first day, I had the normal walk test and bike test. Both of which were very good. The most impressive was on the second day (Wednesday) my RHC. This showed that my pressures were down considerable, Pulmonary Artery pressures were 48/11 compared to 88/32, 12 weeks ago. Right Ventrical pressure was 48/7 compared to 90/12, 12 weeks ago. Seems like the Sitaxsentan is helping. I will continue participating in the 40 week study. Instead of praising the drugs, I must give all of the praise to whom I choose to call God. The tears I've shed over this disease, God wiped from my cheeks and gave me a gracious hug. Living with this disease has at times made me weak, but my faith in him and kept me strong. Someone told me on one of my bad days just prior to visiting Duke that as I cried and felt hopeless and felt like breathing was getting harder that I should feel lucky, because as I cried about all of this that someone out there was taking their last breath. Faith, hope, prayer and my loving family have allowed me to stay focused on all of my health issues. Until next time, LETSHOPETODAY!!
My husband and I traveled to Duke for my 2 day visit on 1/8/02 and 1/9/02. On the first day, I had the normal walk test and bike test. Both of which were very good. The most impressive was on the second day (Wednesday) my RHC. This showed that my pressures were down considerable, Pulmonary Artery pressures were 48/11 compared to 88/32, 12 weeks ago. Right Ventrical pressure was 48/7 compared to 90/12, 12 weeks ago. Seems like the Sitaxsentan is helping. I will continue participating in the 40 week study. Instead of praising the drugs, I must give all of the praise to whom I choose to call God. The tears I've shed over this disease, God wiped from my cheeks and gave me a gracious hug. Living with this disease has at times made me weak, but my faith in him and kept me strong. Someone told me on one of my bad days just prior to visiting Duke that as I cried and felt hopeless and felt like breathing was getting harder that I should feel lucky, because as I cried about all of this that someone out there was taking their last breath. Faith, hope, prayer and my loving family have allowed me to stay focused on all of my health issues. Until next time, LETSHOPETODAY!!
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Monday, January 21, 2002
I started back to work today. It has been pretty tiring. I guess I was just used to resting and napping when I felt like I needed to. Being at work that just don't happen. Maybe in a week or so I'll feel better. I have been fighting another cold. This one has given me one heck of a sore throat. I'll muddle through it.... My daughter is starting to plan her wedding. She and Tyler have set their date for October 19, 2002. I am happy that she has found someone who will be good to her, or at least he better be! Mamma hens are the worst... They will be married in his Grandparents church. Nicki and I will be going to a Wedding Bazar next weekend. She wanted to go and see if she could pick up some ideas for her big day. In the next couple of weeks we will go to Charlotte to a Bridal Salon to see what they have. She is so excited and I'm so nervous. It will get worse as the time gets closer. I can remember that feeling. I remarried almost three years ago and did the whole wedidng myself. Flowers, decorations food the whole bit. Boy, I suggest to anyone getting married DO NOT DO THAT. Hire someone to do it for you. I'll keep you informed on the progress of both she and I. Until next time, LetsHopeToday.
I started back to work today. It has been pretty tiring. I guess I was just used to resting and napping when I felt like I needed to. Being at work that just don't happen. Maybe in a week or so I'll feel better. I have been fighting another cold. This one has given me one heck of a sore throat. I'll muddle through it.... My daughter is starting to plan her wedding. She and Tyler have set their date for October 19, 2002. I am happy that she has found someone who will be good to her, or at least he better be! Mamma hens are the worst... They will be married in his Grandparents church. Nicki and I will be going to a Wedding Bazar next weekend. She wanted to go and see if she could pick up some ideas for her big day. In the next couple of weeks we will go to Charlotte to a Bridal Salon to see what they have. She is so excited and I'm so nervous. It will get worse as the time gets closer. I can remember that feeling. I remarried almost three years ago and did the whole wedidng myself. Flowers, decorations food the whole bit. Boy, I suggest to anyone getting married DO NOT DO THAT. Hire someone to do it for you. I'll keep you informed on the progress of both she and I. Until next time, LetsHopeToday.
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Monday, July 08, 2002
Hi All! It's been a while since I posted last. I am still working 6 hrs daily, doing fairly well most times. I was pulled from the Sitaxsentan study several months ago, due to very high elevated liver enzymes. Dr. T. tripled my CCB, so hopefully that has helped to maintain my pressure. My next appointment at Duke will be July 22, 02. I hope the echo still shows lowered pressure since removal from the study. I also hope that my heart is not anymore enlarged. We will discuss other treatment options at that time. On a happier note: My daughter moved her wedding up to April 20 from Oct. 20. What a shock... My only child Nicki was married to Tyler in Gatlinburg, TN. There were about 40-50 people that traveled 3 1/2 hrs for the wedding and weekend. I am very proud to have Tyler as my son-in-law. I know he will take care of my girl. I trust him with that. Although things had to be planned much more quickly, within a couple of months, everything went wonderful and my daughter was SO BEAUTIFUL.... I know she and Tyler were happy to have all of their family and friends there to share in the joy. I will becoming a grandmother (me-maw) in Sept./Oct. I look so very forward to holding and loving little Gavin Troy. At one point through my PH ordeal, I thought I would never seen a grandchild. But now, I am so much more hopeful than before! My main concern and prayer is that the baby is born healthly and he nor my daughter will not inherit PPH. I hope to retire early (age 39), so that I can be with the baby and my daughter more. (Notice I said "Retire") I rather look at it as retiring rather than going on disability. Retiring is a more pleasant word I think. I am also looking forward to being able to live through life rather than work through life. I want to watch the sun rise and set on the lake. Just thinking about it makes me feel happy and excited. I can't wait!!! Until next time, LetsHopeToday!
Hi All! It's been a while since I posted last. I am still working 6 hrs daily, doing fairly well most times. I was pulled from the Sitaxsentan study several months ago, due to very high elevated liver enzymes. Dr. T. tripled my CCB, so hopefully that has helped to maintain my pressure. My next appointment at Duke will be July 22, 02. I hope the echo still shows lowered pressure since removal from the study. I also hope that my heart is not anymore enlarged. We will discuss other treatment options at that time. On a happier note: My daughter moved her wedding up to April 20 from Oct. 20. What a shock... My only child Nicki was married to Tyler in Gatlinburg, TN. There were about 40-50 people that traveled 3 1/2 hrs for the wedding and weekend. I am very proud to have Tyler as my son-in-law. I know he will take care of my girl. I trust him with that. Although things had to be planned much more quickly, within a couple of months, everything went wonderful and my daughter was SO BEAUTIFUL.... I know she and Tyler were happy to have all of their family and friends there to share in the joy. I will becoming a grandmother (me-maw) in Sept./Oct. I look so very forward to holding and loving little Gavin Troy. At one point through my PH ordeal, I thought I would never seen a grandchild. But now, I am so much more hopeful than before! My main concern and prayer is that the baby is born healthly and he nor my daughter will not inherit PPH. I hope to retire early (age 39), so that I can be with the baby and my daughter more. (Notice I said "Retire") I rather look at it as retiring rather than going on disability. Retiring is a more pleasant word I think. I am also looking forward to being able to live through life rather than work through life. I want to watch the sun rise and set on the lake. Just thinking about it makes me feel happy and excited. I can't wait!!! Until next time, LetsHopeToday!
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Thursday, April 20, 2006
I'm back
Hello, I am back! I have finally accepted that I am living with PPH and have been since 9/01. I used to write here some, but each time I did it hurt. It also hurt to read other's messages, to read that another one of us lost our fight. But the truth has a way of finding you where ever you are! It found me and I knew that I had to accept it in order to move forward. I've made it 5 years with PPH and I will see another 5 years. There has been many many changes in my life as of lately. I am now divorced, no longer a Walker. I've taken my maiden name back, Smith. I am now the proud nana of two beautiful grand children. Gavin is now 3 and Katelyn is 3 weeks old. I spend as much time with them as possible. My daughter Nicki and those children are part of my inspiration to keep me going. My last Duke appointment was Tuesday, April 18, 2006. Dr. T is so great and understanding! I have been taking Revatio for four months now. I feel somewhat better, after the headaches went away. I also am taking lots of other meds, too many to list. I call it my get up and go juice! I take my meds and go on with life. Although, I push myself sometimes. The main key to get me through the day is my NAP. I have to have it! I'm still active in my flower gardens trying to take care of what God has helped me with. I plan on writing at least once a week from now own. And I plan to join in chats with all of you. I look forwarding to hearing from you. Until then, Letshopetoday! Lynn Smith
I'm back
Hello, I am back! I have finally accepted that I am living with PPH and have been since 9/01. I used to write here some, but each time I did it hurt. It also hurt to read other's messages, to read that another one of us lost our fight. But the truth has a way of finding you where ever you are! It found me and I knew that I had to accept it in order to move forward. I've made it 5 years with PPH and I will see another 5 years. There has been many many changes in my life as of lately. I am now divorced, no longer a Walker. I've taken my maiden name back, Smith. I am now the proud nana of two beautiful grand children. Gavin is now 3 and Katelyn is 3 weeks old. I spend as much time with them as possible. My daughter Nicki and those children are part of my inspiration to keep me going. My last Duke appointment was Tuesday, April 18, 2006. Dr. T is so great and understanding! I have been taking Revatio for four months now. I feel somewhat better, after the headaches went away. I also am taking lots of other meds, too many to list. I call it my get up and go juice! I take my meds and go on with life. Although, I push myself sometimes. The main key to get me through the day is my NAP. I have to have it! I'm still active in my flower gardens trying to take care of what God has helped me with. I plan on writing at least once a week from now own. And I plan to join in chats with all of you. I look forwarding to hearing from you. Until then, Letshopetoday! Lynn Smith
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I'm back
Hello my PH friends! I am back again. My health has changed quite a bit since my last entry in 2006. I have since then divorced and taken my maiden name back (Smith). I did live in Hickory, NC and a year ago I moved back to Morganton, NC my home town. All of my family lives there. I knew I would need their help sooner or later. I now have two grandchildren 1 boy (Gavin) who is 6 and 1 girl (Katelyn) who is 2. They are so very precious to me and make me want to live another day. Since my move I have been having lots of trouble with my PH. One is my weight, I did weigh 115lbs, now I weigh 172lbs. I'm working to loose some blubber. When I go to Duke things look ok. But when I'm at home I have lots of trouble. I have passed out several times and the EMS was called and hauled my butt to the hospital. My last trip to Duke, Dr. Tapson was asking me about the elevation. I was not sure so I looked it up. In Hickory I was at 900 feet above sea level, now 45 minutes away I am at 4,650 ft above sea level. He seems to think that has alot to do with the problems. His suggestion was to relocate once again. I just spent over $7,000 to move home, I'm not sure I can do that again. But, if it will add time to my life, I will highly consider it. My daughter told me "mom no matter where your at you will always be my mom and my kids nana, "we will come see you no matter where you are" that made me feel a bit better, but I would not know anyone some other place. Lots to think about. Also, I have been under alot of stress which is not a PHers friend. My mother had a massive stroke last November on her birthday of all days. She was in a coma for 14 days, then we decided to take her off lifesupport. She then began to breathe on her own which was a miracle. She stayed in the hospital for 4 months, then came home to live with me. I have been taking care of her since then. Sometimes I think it's more than I can handle, but as the saying goes God will not put anything more on you that you can take. This has been a large test of faith for both mom and myself and family. Sorry this entry is so long, but it's been a while since I've written. I want to personally thank my family and my best friend of 40 years for helping me mentally, physically and emotionally, to get where I am today. I am still full of hope as always. I'm still the prankster of my family, which keeps them laughing instead of crying for me. Time to go now. But as always LETSHOPETODAY. Lynn Smith Nana won that bet! I climbed that tree with my babies. Daughter and family Nana with kids at daughters college grad party
I'm back
Hello my PH friends! I am back again. My health has changed quite a bit since my last entry in 2006. I have since then divorced and taken my maiden name back (Smith). I did live in Hickory, NC and a year ago I moved back to Morganton, NC my home town. All of my family lives there. I knew I would need their help sooner or later. I now have two grandchildren 1 boy (Gavin) who is 6 and 1 girl (Katelyn) who is 2. They are so very precious to me and make me want to live another day. Since my move I have been having lots of trouble with my PH. One is my weight, I did weigh 115lbs, now I weigh 172lbs. I'm working to loose some blubber. When I go to Duke things look ok. But when I'm at home I have lots of trouble. I have passed out several times and the EMS was called and hauled my butt to the hospital. My last trip to Duke, Dr. Tapson was asking me about the elevation. I was not sure so I looked it up. In Hickory I was at 900 feet above sea level, now 45 minutes away I am at 4,650 ft above sea level. He seems to think that has alot to do with the problems. His suggestion was to relocate once again. I just spent over $7,000 to move home, I'm not sure I can do that again. But, if it will add time to my life, I will highly consider it. My daughter told me "mom no matter where your at you will always be my mom and my kids nana, "we will come see you no matter where you are" that made me feel a bit better, but I would not know anyone some other place. Lots to think about. Also, I have been under alot of stress which is not a PHers friend. My mother had a massive stroke last November on her birthday of all days. She was in a coma for 14 days, then we decided to take her off lifesupport. She then began to breathe on her own which was a miracle. She stayed in the hospital for 4 months, then came home to live with me. I have been taking care of her since then. Sometimes I think it's more than I can handle, but as the saying goes God will not put anything more on you that you can take. This has been a large test of faith for both mom and myself and family. Sorry this entry is so long, but it's been a while since I've written. I want to personally thank my family and my best friend of 40 years for helping me mentally, physically and emotionally, to get where I am today. I am still full of hope as always. I'm still the prankster of my family, which keeps them laughing instead of crying for me. Time to go now. But as always LETSHOPETODAY. Lynn Smith Nana won that bet! I climbed that tree with my babies. Daughter and family Nana with kids at daughters college grad party
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