Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Maureen's blog: Vomiting again

Maureen's blog: Vomiting again: Went to bed very late last night as I thought I was going to vomit. I was belching and hiccuping after not doing so for nearly two weeks (th...

Vomiting again

Went to bed very late last night as I thought I was going to vomit. I was belching and hiccuping after not doing so for nearly two weeks (this is usually because the food I ate have stayed in my oesophagus).
I slept very well, I did have a few coughing spells during the night but I did not get out of bed.
Today I started to vomit again after I had my lunch (I really thought that as I am on a reduced calorie diet and I am not eating a lot that the vomiting would now stop).
It is nearly time for my dinner and I am now not sure if it is going to stay down.
I have had my dinner and I am feeling uncomfortable, starting to belch and I can feel the food is stuck in my oesophagus, if and when I have a drink it will be stuck also.
Oh well! Life must go on. I know that if God is for me then who or what can be against me.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Maureen's blog: Sunday and Monday

Maureen's blog: Sunday and Monday: Did not have much sleep on Saturday night, coughing and choking and just wide awake. Felt a little better on Sunday. I did not do much as I...

Sunday and Monday

Did not have much sleep on Saturday night, coughing and choking and just wide awake.
Felt a little better on Sunday. I did not do much as I realise that every time I feel stronger and better in my self I start to do too much which then start the old process all over again (of feeling unwell). I will have to learn to relax and delegate.
Slept very well last night (Sunday) had a few worrying times in the night because my eyes went too dry again and I woke up with phlegm in my mouth which could have choked me.
Today is Monday a new day and I am looking forward to something new happening (don't know what).
I am feeling a lot stronger today but still coughing and breathless.
Went outside to move my car this afternoon (I had a yearly service on my car, the dealership fetched it and brought it back but parked the car across the drive so no one else could park). It was very cold and I began to get very breathless again as soon as the cold air hit my chest or it could just be me breathing in the cold air.
The weather forecast is very cold for the week so I am going to have to stay indoors for the rest of the week.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Maureen's blog: Another Virus

Maureen's blog: Another Virus: I had to take some Night Nurse (over the counter medication for flu) before going to bed last night because my throat was so sore and I felt...

Another Virus

I had to take some Night Nurse (over the counter medication for flu) before going to bed last night because my throat was so sore and I felt so unwell.
Slept well and managed to keep my eyes lubricated during the night.
Got up after midday today feeling unwell with sore throat and general malaise.
I will have to take more Night Nurse later before I go back to bed.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Maureen's blog: Dry eyes

Maureen's blog: Dry eyes: Fell asleep last night early and woke up coughing, it then kept me awake for a few hours. I slept until just after 05:00 when I woke up once...

Dry eyes

Fell asleep last night early and woke up coughing, it then kept me awake for a few hours. I slept until just after 05:00 when I woke up once again coughing and choking and my eyes very dry and painful (I slept for about four hours without putting in any lubricants).
Today my eyes and throat are very sore. I also have a tickle in my throat which is making me cough and I am just not feeling well again, I have a headache and general malaise.
I haven't been asleep since waking up so early this morning, I am tired now.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Maureen's blog: Ring and Ride

Maureen's blog: Ring and Ride: Had a very good night's sleep last night. Got up early to go to the hair dressing salon to get my hair treated after having the chemotherap...

Maureen's blog: Maureen's blog: Weight loss

Maureen's blog: Maureen's blog: Weight loss: Maureen's blog: Weight loss : Had a bad night, I was so very tired yesterday so I went to bed early and started to read (this made me wide a...

Ring and Ride

Had a very good night's sleep last night. Got up early to go to the hair dressing salon to get my hair treated after having the chemotherapy (the treatment has now stopped).
I am registered with the local Ring and Ride transport service (this is a small bus service provided for the disabled to use for a small fee). Today I use this service for the first time to take me into the city centre for my appointment at the hair dressing salon, and to bring me home again. On the way home the driver took a detour to collect another passenger before dropping me off.
Today I had toast (no margarine or butter on toast) for breakfast, soup for lunch and very small dinner and plenty of hot water to drink throughout the day and now I have griping pain in my stomach again as yesterday when I kept running to the bathroom.
Just hoping I haven't caught a bug from the hospital when I went there for the scan.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Maureen's blog: Weight loss

Maureen's blog: Weight loss: Had a bad night, I was so very tired yesterday so I went to bed early and started to read (this made me wide awake). I got up and stayed up...

Weight loss

Had a bad night, I was so very tired yesterday so I went to bed early and started to read (this made me wide awake). I got up and stayed up until 03:00 before going back to bed.
I have been on a reduced calorie diet for a week (I had put on a lot of weight because of the amount of steroid I had been taking including the infusions I had while I was having the Chemotherapy), today I weigh myself and I have loss five pounds (hooray!).
I'm just hoping and praying that the CT scan I had yesterday will not show any deterioration of my lungs so my consultant can continue to decrease the dosage of the steroid I am taking.
Went and had my blood pressure checked by the nurse at my GP's surgery today (it was very high a fortnight ago when my GP checked it). Good news it is back to normal (thank you Lord), I am just waiting for everything to go back to normal (whatever normal is!).
I am now going to the toilet every time I have a drink or something to eat, so I am now going to drink just water for the rest of the day (praying it is not gastric flu or food poison).

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Maureen's blog: CT Scan

Maureen's blog: CT Scan: Had a restless night last night, thinking about my appointment at the local hospital Xray department. Would I get a parking space close by ...

CT Scan

Had a restless night last night, thinking about my appointment at the local hospital Xray department. Would I get a parking space close by and would I be able to lie flat on my back without coughing.
Got up early and got to the hospital just after 08:15 my appointment was for 08:50 to have a CT Thorax High Resolution examination. I was seen after only waiting a few minutes. I was able to lie flat and also hold my breath when told to do so without coughing.
I have only my Heavenly father to thank for helping me today (thank you Jesus).
I am feeling very tired and sleepy today so it's early to bed tonight.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Maureen's blog: Dry eyes

Maureen's blog: Dry eyes: Slept well last night although I had to keep putting lubricant and artificial tears in my eyes throughout the night (every time I turn over ...

Dry eyes

Slept well last night although I had to keep putting lubricant and artificial tears in my eyes throughout the night (every time I turn over or go the bathroom, I do this automatically).
I am feeling very tired today and my eyes are still feeling very dry (Sjogren syndrome). My eyes are always dry but some days I notice it more than others, if I don't keep them lubricated my eyes could become ulcerated.
I am so grateful to God for my life despite all that I am going through, I know that he has made me in His own image, so I have nothing to worry about.
My life is in His hands.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Maureen's blog: Sunday

Maureen's blog: Sunday: Did not have a good night's sleep as I kept coughing and had to get out of bed to get a drink (3am). I went back to bed at 0600, It took aw...

Sunday

Did not have a good night's sleep as I kept coughing and had to get out of bed to get a drink (3am). I went back to bed at 0600, It took awhile for me to fall asleep again.
I have backache today and this wretched cold will not go away (I am fed up of it now).
My eyes are very dry and sore (this is because of the lupus) even though I have been putting the lubricants in at regular intervals.
Anyway not much to say today, everything is still very much the same.
Today is Sunday and this is the day that the lord has made so I will rejoice and be glad in it (He also made the rest of the days in the week).

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Maureen's blog: Another good night's sleep

Maureen's blog: Another good night's sleep: Fell asleep reading and woke up coughing after only been asleep for a few minutes. I had to put the lights on again to read as I was now wid...

Another good night's sleep

Fell asleep reading and woke up coughing after only been asleep for a few minutes. I had to put the lights on again to read as I was now wide awake, I fell asleep once again reading my book.
I slept well until this morning, when I awoke with pain all over my body.
Had a great soak in the bath to relieve the pain in my body (I am feeling relaxed now) but the pain hasn't gone.
I went out (how glorious) to the pharmacy to collect my monthly medication the girl working there though I had come to collect the medication for my mother, she saw my age on the prescription and couldn't believe it was really me as she though I was in my thirties.
With this lupus I have good and bad days and today have not been too bad so far, I have learnt to ignore the pain, the tinnitus and even the lethargy. Infections takes so much longer to go away so I just have to be patient and wait for this cold to go.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Maureen's blog: Headache

Maureen's blog: Headache: I am having headaches every night (I am hoping it is not my blood pressure going up again). I did not have much sleep last night, woke up at...

Headache

I am having headaches every night (I am hoping it is not my blood pressure going up again). I did not have much sleep last night, woke up at 0100 and I got up at 0230 and stayed up until 0600. I then went back to bed, read prayed and then fell asleep until midday.
Got up had my breakfast then lunch later. I am still drinking a lot of fluids (because I am on a diet), this is causing me to go to the bathroom frequently.
I did not do much again today I have decided to rest as I must remember about the lupus and the effect it has on my life.
Just prepared and had my dinner and I am feeling so tired and weak.
The cold that I have has still not gone away and I am still coughing (because of the cold) and blowing my nose.
I can't wait to go and visit my friends or for them to visit me (no one is brave enough to visit) as they do not want to catch this cold.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Maureen's blog: The diet

Maureen's blog: The diet: Had a good night's sleep last night, no coughing or breathlessness (thank you lord for your faithfulness and promise to keep me in perfect p...

The diet

Had a good night's sleep last night, no coughing or breathlessness (thank you lord for your faithfulness and promise to keep me in perfect peace when I sleep).
Today is a new day and I am still blowing my noise but the coughing is a lot less.
I have started my diet and it is going well so far, not feeling hungry yet! I am drinking a lot of water and running to the bathroom frequently (I am not getting out of breath).
Oh! My meals are staying down so that is good, just praying it will remain that way (I am leaving a big gap in between meals).
I have five opponents going with Words for Friends and Hanging with Friends (this is helping me to keep my focus off food), so got to go.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Maureen's blog: Pain in the neck

Maureen's blog: Pain in the neck: Had a good night's sleep without coughing. Woke up this morning with a headache and pain in my neck (on the left side). I have started my ...

Pain in the neck

Had a good night's sleep without coughing.
Woke up this morning with a headache and pain in my neck (on the left side).
I have started my diet today (using diet Chef meals) my meals including snacks were all delivered this morning. So I have weighed and measured my self, I need to loose one and a half stone (21pounds). I also need to drink at least two litres of water each day (it will have to be hot as I don't like drinking water) I do like drinking hot water.
I am hoping this cold will go soon, I am so thankful that it has not developed into a chest infection (one of my neighbours developed this a few days after Christmas and she still has it), I can't wait to go out somewhere, okay anywhere, just to be out of this house for an hour or so (I do love my home) but I want to see people now and be able to interact with them.
Going to have a drink again now.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Maureen's blog: Breathlessness again

Maureen's blog: Breathlessness again: I did not have any sleep on Sunday night, I kept on trying but just could not find any sleep. Went to bed at 0600, read, prayed and eventual...

Breathlessness again

I did not have any sleep on Sunday night, I kept on trying but just could not find any sleep. Went to bed at 0600, read, prayed and eventually fell asleep.
Got up just before lunch time and got some very good news.
I am still coughing and blowing my noise and my head is still aching a lot.
Had a better night's sleep last night, woke up at about 0500 coughing I had to get out of bed to get a drink so I stayed up until Bob got up before I went back to bed.
Today is another coughing and blowing of noise day. I am actually dressed today but feeling very weak and cold even with the heating on.
Last week I wasn't getting breathless but this week as soon as I lie down in bed I am breathless again, this is concerning me as each time I have tried to decrease the steroid (with the doctor's advice) the breathlessness returns. I am praying I will be able to stay on this latest dose as I have reduce my calorie intake and hopefully I won't feel so hungry with this lower dose of steroid.
My head is aching so much especially when I cough, blow my nose or sneeze, I am just praying it is not my blood pressure as it was very high when I went to to see my GP last week. Oh well! Must keep calm and keep resting.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Maureen's blog: Saturday and Sunday

Maureen's blog: Saturday and Sunday: Woke up this am Saturday at about 0700 coughing (Bob made me a cup of tea) a hot drink usually stop the coughing. Read and prayed then went...

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Saturday and Sunday

Woke up this am Saturday at about 0700 coughing (Bob made me a cup of tea) a hot drink usually stop the coughing.
Read and prayed then went back to sleep until about 11:00 I then got up and got dressed for the day.
I thought this would help me feel better but it did not, I still have the flu so I have decided not to fight it.
I am hot and cold and now it is night my nasal passage is all blocked again.
Fell asleep just after 2am.
It is now Sunday, woke up after 10:00 but did not get out of bed until about midday (I was reading and praying) I then had my breakfast.
My throat is still sore and I have a head ache.
I have decided to start playing games again on my iPad as this helps me not to focus on food (I need to lose the weight I have put on from having the steroid infusion).
Hopefully this will help me to be able to breathe properly again and I can then go and do some gentle exercise (the toning tables) once again.
Still feeling very weak with all the flu symptoms, just praying they will go away soon.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Maureen's blog: The Flu

Maureen's blog: The Flu: I have not written since Monday because I am still full of flu virus (coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose). I had to go to my doctor on ...

The Flu

I have not written since Monday because I am still full of flu virus (coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose).
I had to go to my doctor on Wednesday to get some antibiotics because of the fibrosis of my lungs (I had forgotten about the chemotherapy and steroid I have been and still taking that at the start of any virus or infection I should consult my GP).
It is Friday and I am only feeling slightly better, my throat is no longer sore and I don't feel so weak, but I am still having awful headaches and sleeping a lot.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Maureen's blog: The flu

Maureen's blog: The flu: Had an awful day yesterday, spent most of it in bed with the flu. The good think about it was I did not vomit (thank you Lord). Today is a...

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The flu

Had an awful day yesterday, spent most of it in bed with the flu.
The good think about it was I did not vomit (thank you Lord).
Today is a new day (Monday 0725) I am coughing a lot, headache and blocked nose so I am going to take some Day Nurse and stay in bed. The vomiting was back earlier.
It is now 21:21 hours and my chest is hurting so much when I cough, i have now plugged in a karvel vaporiser so hopefully this will help me breathe properly. I will be taking some Night Nurse before I fall asleep.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Maureen's blog: Sore throat

Maureen's blog: Sore throat: After vomiting, went to bed about midnight and slept well. Woke up very early this morning with a sore throat and a headache and generally ...

Sore throat

After vomiting, went to bed about midnight and slept well.
Woke up very early this morning with a sore throat and a headache and generally feeling unwell.
Just had some Day Nurse (hoping to feel better soon).
Still no better, so that's it for today

Friday, January 6, 2012

Maureen's blog: Some good news

Maureen's blog: Some good news: Yesterday I had such a good day, I ate less and thought all would be well that I would not be vomiting but unfortunately before I went to be...

Some good news

Yesterday I had such a good day, I ate less and thought all would be well that I would not be vomiting but unfortunately before I went to bed it was all up again.
I slept very well again last night, so today is the day to see my consultant (Rheumatologist).
Just got back from seeing my Rheumatologist and he has decided that I don't need to have any more chemotherapy treatment (even though I am still very breathless and vomiting) and I can also reduce the amount of steroid I am taking as he thinks any medication I am taking is not being absorbed properly because of the vomiting (the oesophageal problem)
I also discuss with him the possibility of having lungs transplant and portable oxygen.
I am now waiting for an appointment to have a CT scan of my lungs and for my consultant to look at the echocardiograph (scan of my lungs) I had done about 3-4 months ago before he will refer me to a lung consultant.
I am feeling very happy at the moment but anxious as in the past when I tried reducing the steroid I just get so breathless (this is my main problem right now).
This is a new day and I am going to rejoice and be glad I am still alive. Thank you Jesus.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Maureen's blog: A good night's sleep

Maureen's blog: A good night's sleep: Went to bed early last night after the small portion of dinner I ate decided it did not want to stay down. Had a good night's sleep despite...

A good night's sleep

Went to bed early last night after the small portion of dinner I ate decided it did not want to stay down. Had a good night's sleep despite waking up every hour.
Just going to have my breakfast now at 1100 so praying that today will be a good day.
Had a visit from a friend and I am now going to have a very small lunch. It is now 1800 and I have just had another small portion of dinner so praying it will stay down.
All day I have felt like I have the flu but I know it is just symptoms of the lupus.
It has still been a good day as I have not tried to do a lot. I am still breathless and coughing a lot when breathless (to get oxygen into my blood).
Thank you lord for sustaining me today.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Maureen's blog: Maureen's blog: Breakfast in bed

Maureen's blog: Maureen's blog: Breakfast in bed: Maureen's blog: Breakfast in bed : Slept very well last night after vomiting earlier. Woke up just after 6 am and Bob is not in the bed, it ...

Sleepless night

All I kept down yesterday was my breakfast. It was a sleepless night, as I spent most of it in the bathroom.
I did not go to bed until 5:30 this morning, I almost finish reading the Secret power by D.L. Moody.
I think I have gastroenteritis (gastric flu) it will have to go by Thursday as I have an appointment at the hospital on Friday and I am not suppose to go there with any sort of bug pretty or ugly :).
It is now 10:30 am I am getting out of bed and I am going to have a drink and try some dry toast.
Lots of mouth ulcers today (a by product of the chemotherapy).
1800 had a very small portion of dinner hoping this is going to stay down.
Oh well.! Got to stay positive.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Maureen's blog: Breakfast in bed

Maureen's blog: Breakfast in bed: Slept very well last night after vomiting earlier. Woke up just after 6 am and Bob is not in the bed, it is back to work for him today. I w...

Breakfast in bed

Slept very well last night after vomiting earlier. Woke up just after 6 am and Bob is not in the bed, it is back to work for him today.
I would love to not have the desire to eat today as only my breakfast is staying down and because of the steroid I am taking I have put such a lot of weight on (my face is the shape of a full moon and I look as if I am about to give birth), my abdomen is so big.
It is now 8 am so I am off to have my breakfast.
I read prayed ate breakfast and fell asleep again until I got woken up by the ringing of the telephone (12:45).
Got dressed and had some lunch I have been hiccuping now for a few hours as the lunch is now once again stuck ( I thought if I had my breakfast early there would be plenty of time for it to be in my stomach to make room for my lunch.
It is now 5pm and even the drinks I consumed is in my oesophagus.
Oh yea! it's a new year so must try and be positive (that's what I was trying this am by having breakfast so early).

Monday, January 2, 2012

Maureen's blog: This morning I woke up in pain again but I have to...

Maureen's blog: This morning I woke up in pain again but I have to...: This morning I woke up in pain again but I have to be thankful to God that I am still alive. I know it is only by His grace (grace is what I...
This morning I woke up in pain again but I have to be thankful to God that I am still alive. I know it is only by His grace (grace is what I don't deserve) and mercy that I am breathing so thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me so I can have life.
Went to buy a pair of curtains in the sales (only went to one store) I felt so weak by the time I went to the checkout.
It has been a good day so I am looking forward to tomorrow

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Maureen's blog: New year 2012

Maureen's blog: New year 2012: What a year 2011 has been. It started off with a chest infection which left me feeling very weak and breathless. I had to give up going to t...