Here I had been thinking that, between my leg/hip issue and the Sands of the Sahara, my next visit to the fancy-schmancy pulmonary doctor would show a decrease in my health. Turns out, I was wrong. For that, I give glory to God and thanks to those of you who are praying for me.
I am back to walking though for less time (but building up) and certainly fewer times per day. I’m now walking three times a day instead of seven. I’m building back up and will advance two of those walks to at least one mile per day (currently at one/third of a mile each.) The third walk is one that I will walk either without oxygen or, when pollution levels are high, with oxygen and a mask but breathing slowly, quietly and deeply – something which is difficult for me to maintain.
I am still doing my arm exercises with two four-pound weights but can’t do the standing leg exercises as yet. I will one day but not until the therapist approves. He is incorporating some leg movements into our therapy sessions but we have a new and, for me, a much more difficult focus.
We are now focused on my core. Actually, I should say, on my lack of a core. I can’t even blame the three pregnancies as I have been in good shape since those years. Nope, this is sloth plain and simple. I thought I would, since this is a Christian blog, put it in terms of one of the seven deadly sins. So, yes, I have been enormously slothful in recent years. I keep busy but not with anything resembling physical exertion. That has to stop.
One of the interesting things that has happened is that my physical therapist is still with me. Just before I hurt my foot/leg/abdomen/SI joint, we were on point of parting company. He thought I was doing well enough to see an outside therapist. The injury stopped that plan in its tracks. It also allowed him time to ponder that I am unable to get out of the house at a scheduled time due to pollution or allergy issues. So, at this point, as long as it makes sense and the insurance approves it, he will continue to make home visits. I am grateful for his conclusion and again, thank God for sending such a good and Christian therapist my way.
What is a little amusing is that one of the core exercises yesterday tweaked an old hamstring injury on my left leg. I have a lateral tear of the hamstring which is something that rarely heals. Because it is weak, when it gets tweaked, it doesn’t support my knee as well. When that happens, the knee aches. So last night, while walking, I noticed it hurt. So I shortened my stride and that was enough to make the pain go away.
So, to the doctor today. Between X-rays and lab work and other such fun stuff, I also had a pulmonary function test and something called a six-minute walk. The pulmonary function test tests lung capacity and the six minute walk tests what level of oxygen you need to be at when you are walking at your normal walking pace.
I know this now but didn’t know this on my first visit to this fancy doctor. During my first six minute walk, I steamrolled as fast as I could and was huffing and puffing from exertion. Based on that test, the doctor wanted to bump me from 1 liter of oxygen to 4 liters per hour. I objected and discussions ensued. We resolved a way we could both be happy and off I went until this visit.
Along the way, my therapist explained that most people just want to live life as they did before their illness changed them and that a higher level of oxygen would do that. What it would not do is challenge them and provide the exercise that they need to improve lung function. Well, I’m all about doing the work to get a better grade so it makes sense that I want the harder challenge.
Back to today. I was sure the lung capacity test would show a decrease – but it did not. It was nominally improved which, considering all the sands and pollution we have had, is astounding. Once I am able to do more of the deep breathing exercises, it should make a more noticeable difference. We all agreed (months ago) that it made no sense to deeply breathe in a bunch of sand so, while I exercise, I have had to wear a mask. Hopefully, when the pollution levels drop and the weather cools, I will be back to taking deep breaths.
The real change was in the six minute walk. Because of the SI issue, I have been walking fairly slow at just over one mile per hour. Because of the hamstring issue, my stride was ridiculously short today. I felt like a fifteenth century court dandy mincing along in silk stockings and bejeweled, high-heeled shoes (except of course, I was wearing Croc flip-flops and stockings are long a thing of my past.) But, you get the picture.
So, I’m tiptoeing along and my oxygen rates are great. I might have made it through the whole test without oxygen added except my knee started hurting. Of course, the test results were skewed because I have a much longer stride. But, in the end, it gave us a better base line and the doctor told me I didn’t need to have a higher level than 2 liters of oxygen. Of course, I will still stay at 1 liter most of the time as it is the challenge and rehabilitation that I need.
On my last visit, they took 13 vials of blood to test me for exposure to all of the things they felt may have caused my problem. They all came back negative. Same for other types of illnesses which may mimic the same symptoms. Again, negative.
Apparently, I have a classic case of Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. That means that I am allergic to something and it caused an allergic reaction that was severe and continues. We don’t know what it was or when I was exposed and maybe we simply will never know. I had given the doctor a list of things that I thought might have been one or more of the issues (such as Los Angeles air pollution, dust, and even the down pillows I had slept on) and he agreed with those. To that end, we are removing/avoiding those items and hobbies which are on the list. That may help but then again, it may not. Only time will tell.
I have come to the conclusion that God wanted me to focus on things that I can only accomplish from the house. Getting out and about is currently a distraction. I’ve told God that I will wait on him to know when I should expand my horizons and I won’t push it before. I’m involved with online ministry from our church (as a consumer not on one of the teams) and I will keep looking for and asking for new and additional resources from them. Not only for myself but for others as well. If I have these needs, there are many, many more who have them as well.
There have been a couple of times when I felt a little sorry for myself and God was good to answer me with a little slap upside the head. I communicate with others on my book blog and youtube channel. When I felt a little down and out, I found out just how good I have it.
There are others who are hurting so much more. They have such serious issues and have lived with them for such a long time. After learning of their struggles, I realized that I am such a lucky and blessed person. Not only am I doing well but I have a loving husband who stepped up and takes great care of me. In my husband’s actions, I see the love of Christ for his bride, the church. I won’t give you a laundry list of my blessings, suffice to say it is long and appreciated.
My experimental drug is to be increased and my steroid’s cut in half. Hopefully, that means I’ll only talk half as much but who knows? Maybe that is one of the reasons why this has happened – I had to open my mouth and yammer endlessly about stuff that has happened to me over the years. I was happy to write about it but seriously, I had to talk about it, too?
I am sleeping better at night, am able to take legitimate naps during the day (instead of clunking face first into my dinner plate when overcome by exhaustion – anyone whose had long term steroids, say amen.) I can read for a time and stitch for a time (wearing a mask of course to keep the particulates out of my lungs.) What I still can’t do is watch television. My taste for it has gone away completely. Can’t say I miss it. I’d rather spend my time of this earth doing something other than watching life go by on the good ole Tee Vee.
So, God has been merciful and he is directing my path. I keep trying to stray off into areas that I “think” are good for me and God keeps nudging/pushing/shoving me back where I belong. I’m breathing and walking and eating (a little too much if truth were told) and reading and having a fine time of life. My husband and I are great company and the kids and the grands come by when we are all well.
God is good. Life is good. I’m happy to be alive, living for Christ and thanking God for each day as it arrives. Truly, what more can we ask for?
Matthew 6:31-34
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.