Talking of steroids (and other things)

I am now on my fourth course this year, oh the joys of severe asthma.

I started to notice the other day that things were most starting to slide, I was using my inhaler more and needing more puffs to get things under control. It amuses (and bamboozles) me that on the label it says "take two puffs as required, do not exceed the stated dose", that is 200mg, my nebuliser deliverers 25x that amount and I can take up to 2 back to back along with atrovent. Anyway it doesn't say how much time to leave between the 2 doses so I just work along the lines of 10 puffs, oh well that will 5 lots of 2 puffs so I am not exceeding the dose! Taking two puffs sometimes works but often in the words of my late and much loved grandma "its like giving a donkey one oat". My GP has also advised that I may use up to 10 puffs at a time.

Then I starting waking at night more than normal and became increasingly breathless and wheezy on exertion. I have a test for this, and carry it out by walking up the stairs to my flat the more wheezy/breathless I get the more trouble I am in, in case your wondering I don't spend the day confusing the neighbours by constantly walking up and down the stairs to my flat. By Monday night I was feeling pretty rough and my pf was dropping to around 65% of what it should be, not a massive drop but a drop no less and one that I could really feel.

I sat in my flat knowing what I needed to do, start a course of steroids but I toyed with the idea hoping that it would magically get better by itself which of course it didn't and wouldn't. My reluctance comes from the fact that I really don't enjoy being on steroids because of both their long and short term side effects. By Tuesday morning it was obvious I could put it off no longer and so I now on my usual dose for a few days, I see my GP tomorrow for a review.

In reference to my earlier post, three or four posts ago about the emotional impact that recent events have had on me I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that this is as good as I am going to get but, I realise at the same time I have never really come to terms with having polyarthalgia and osteoarthritis either which was formally diagnosed in November last year. I am taking a low dose of anti depressant again something I really didn't want to do because it feels like I am not coping as well as I should be but, I really think right now that its the best option for me as I seem to on a bit of an emotional roller coaster, again something I don't like. I am scared as to what the future holds, this in turn is having an impact on my Christian faith. How can I propose to trust God and have faith in Him when I am scared what the future might bring?

Yet there is much that it is positive in my life and much to look forward to and I need to keep a positive outlook in my life, I feel that it is both vital and important. For example the other day after yet another bad night I got up early to find the piggies screaming for breakfast, so I gave them a small amount of food, planning to give them the biggest percentage of their breakfast later and I popped a small cabbage leaf on Harries head, those who have met Harry will back me up when I say he's not the brightest piggy in the world, he sat there occasionally gently trying to move the cabbage leaf off his head, seemingly oblivious that it was in fact his breakfast was on his head, while I stood and giggled helplessly. It was only when, 5 minutes later his cage mate Sparky removed it did he figure out the fact it was food. Its the little things that make life so special. Next week I am meeting up with my wonderful and now "famous" friend B (watch this space)and helping out with a childrens treasure hunt. Here's hoping that non of the children have recently had chicken pox as it has the potential to be very serious illness for me if I catch it. I have much to be grateful for and much to live for, its just a case of finding a way of fitting it all into my life and finding a way out of this rut that I seem to of got myself stuck into.

On a final note I mentioned that my consultant had discharged me, that is not strictly true. I am an "sos" appointments system for 2 years, that is if I feel I need to see at some point in the next two year I can if I need to book an appointment.

Time spent with friends

I had a fantastic time with P and L. We had a great laugh and it was great to catch up.

They arrived about 2.45pm, after driving around for 15 minutes trying to work out how to get to my house, my street was shut off because of road works. We spent a couple of hours chatting, laughing, cuddling the piggies and generally catching up. They presented me with an early birthday present, the first one was a heavy box which contained to my delight 36 bags of jelly tots, jelly tots are my vice. The second one was a goody bag for "the lads" they were delighted. We then headed to a very nice restaurant for a lovely meal where the laughter continued and I got in a right mess eating a "chocolate mountain". The joke was that I was wearing blue eyeshadow, lipstick and a brown blob on my chin!!. Following this we headed to my friend Bs house where they met B and her cat, my nephew Z. The laughter continued. On leaving Bs we went down to our revamped and renovated quayside before heading back to mine before they headed back to their hotel.

The following evening I went back over to B's she an amazing friend who has had a terrible time recently and we spent the evening planning, chatting, laughing and catching up.

Today I allowed two of my piggies out, I was most amused to see Sparky tip my cup containing water for my meds over and help himself to a drink. This evening my friend who I shall also refer to as P but not the same person as above came over and we had a lovely long chat and at the same time a bit of a giggle. He informed me that I am " blessing" to him. I have no idea what has put that strange belief into his head.

My friends are amazing and precious people.

My asthma is playing up and indirectly resulted in a problems arising at work so I am heading to the asthma clinic on Friday I know there is little they can do but thought I would toddle along anyway as my repeat script list informs me that I am due a review anyway. I will update my blog accordingly.

Update

Well its been a while since I last blogged so time for an update.

My essay is progressing not as quickly as I would of liked but it is getting there.

The guests Fred and Barney went onto their foster home a couple of weeks ago, the lady who collected them and I have promised to keep in touch as we both love piggies. Fred and Barney have, since their arrival in foster care been offered a wonderful forever home which is great news for them.

Its not long now till I fly out to Italy and the wedding, the events with the volcanic ash cloud worried me greatly, as did it my sisters. The news that the navy were getting involved along with it been announced that the situation may go on for several months combined with infromation that its next door neighbour, a much bigger volcano may also erupt filled me with dread. I wasn't bothered about making it to Italy, I was worried about letting my sister down. It will certaintly be a great wedding story to tell in in the years to come. I feel very sorry though for those trapped abroad and those who lost long awaited holidays as a result of the ensuing chaos.

Me and B didn't make it to South Lakes Animal Park. Unfortunately my asthma chose to play up, whether it was a result of the fall out of the ash cloud or not is debatable but the end result was I had only 1 hours sleep certainly not enough to safely drive my car. So instead we have planned to go in June and spend a few nights at a youth hostel. However we did manage the planned fireworks on the evening. The fireworks were bought for bonfire night however, it is only now that we have found time to set them off.

The next few days are to be dedicated to preparing for my hols and packing so if you don't hear from me for a while this is why.

By for now

All change

Lots of things are happening here, some mundane whereas others are exciting.

My studies are going well there is just the issue of sorting out my semester B essay which I did a year early. This time last year in fact so I am hoping that I don't need to re sit it as I passed it without problems.

My health continues to be very up and down at the minute my joint problems are causing me significant problems but I have already blogged enough about this previously so I won't expand much on this other than to say I am in a a great deal of pain at the minute, I am very grateful for being prescribed strong painkillers. It is presenting me with some concern as this flare has been more painful than usual. I am hoping that this is just a blip rather than an indication that my joint problems are deteriorating as they inevitably will.

Earlier in the week I broke my mobile phone, a real pain in the neck I took it over to the store where I bought it from and who I have insurance through and was informed that I would need to pay £50 excess for the repairs which didn't please me. I was even less pleased given the fact that I had less than 4 months on my contract and my current contract does not meet my usage thus my bills are expensive. I explained this to the sales person and he told me to go and sit down in one of the chairs provided which I did. After a few minutes natter with the sales guy I came out £110 in my pocket to pay off my current contract, and a new contract that meets my usage needs. Plus I got the phone I really wanted, free. The iphone. I know that they have been very hyped up and some may argue, over hyped. But, it is brilliant and there is a wide range of apps many of them free or costing a few pennies. Instead of carrying my bible with me as I always do I now have a study bible on my i phone. I have put lots of other apps on it, some of my favourite CDs and have down loaded lots of pod cast. The only drawback with it is that when in use its heavy in the battery.

In three weeks time my middle sister will be married, and I will be in Italy. She is getting married in Italy at the end of the month a very exciting though expensive holiday looms. Not only will I be attending the wedding but I am also her bridesmaid and will have the honour of giving her away. I am spending two nights in the south of Italy where the wedding is to be held and then a few nights in Rome.

While I am away my piggies will be staying with a friend. Sadly there have been a number of issues arising with their regular sitter to the point that it seems our friendship will inevitability fizzle out, its sad and difficult to deal with. I have tried a number of avenues to try and resolve the issues but to no avail and I feel that I know have to accept the inevitable. She no longer wishes to remain in the friendship.

Anyway my friend who lives just up the road has kindly offered to take my piggies, I am not sure that she knows what she is letting herself in for but I know that they will be well cared for and loved. Thomas is a lone pig as he has fell out with previous cage mates. Its a situation I am not comfortable with, although I have no real desire to have four piggies at the same time I am conscious that they like the company of their own kind and I am fearful he is getting lonely sitting in his cage all day on his own. So to this end my friend M has offered to try and bond Thomas with a piggy called Bob, M helps run a small animal rescue and Bob is a lone boar who is very lonely on his own. He has also been in rescue since his birth last year, he is now 10 months old and really needs a loving forever home. I am not convinced it will work out but I hope it does for both of them. The trouble is also that I have seen pictures of Bob and have fell in love, it would not be practical or fair on Bob to take him in on his own though, so unless he and Tommy get on he will continue to look for a new home. This is Bob

Just before I head off to Italy I am going to South Lakes Animal Park with my friend B and at the same adopting her a giraffe. Just to note it will remain at the animal park, we will not be bringing it home with us.

My guests Fred and Barney are still with me but they may be moving on to permanent fosters in a few days time. I will miss them greatly but its another step for them on the route to a loving, caring forever home.

So lots happening at this end and as I said at the beginning of my post some are exciting and some are pretty mundane.

The guests

These are my foster boys, they are lovely boys very sweet but rather underweight and evidently haven't been handled much as they are very nervous and jumpy. It is lovely though to watch day by day them gain in confidence and their characters and personalities develop and helps me to keep my focus on some of the good aspects of my life in these difficult times. They are called Fred and Barney, they started as Fudge and Smudge but their owner didn't know who was who(?). He had got them got them from his cousin some 18 months ago. Barney is on the left, Fred is on the right.

Looking back on my blog I realise that I have failed to write a post about my own three guinea pigs so maybe they will be the focus of my next post.