Well, after nearly 5 days of deliberation, the doctors here, all 187 of them, decided I have something called Eosinophilic Pneumonia. Huh? Yeah, I still can't pronounce it either. Now, what does that mean? Here it is straight from Wiki:
Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a disease in which a certain type of white blood cell called an eosinophil accumulates in the lung. These cells cause disruption of the normal air spaces (alveoli) where oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere. Several different kinds of eosinophilic pneumonia exist and can occur in any age group. The most common symptoms include cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and sweating at night. EP is diagnosed by a combination of characteristic symptoms, findings on a physical examination by a health provider, and the results of blood tests and x-rays. Prognosis is excellent once most EP is recognized and treatment with corticosteroids is begun.
So, in other words, they're putting me back on Prednisone. I had just finished that drug in mid December and now I'll be back on it again. I don't know what it is but it seems like that is this hospital's answer to everything problematic with me.
"He's got a rash?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"He's got pneumonia?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"What? He broke his foot!?"
"Put him on Prednisone...seriously."
He-heh. Doctors.
I feel okay otherwise. I'm still very short of breath when I get up to do something. But as of today it's not taking me as long to re-catch my breath, so that's good. I'm still on oxygen for right now, but the plan today is to get me off of my IV meds/fluids and starting taking my steroids orally. Which, is a good sign that I could be returning home in the next day or so. I hope so....because I don't know how much longer I can handle being in the hospital. I think I've done my bit and part for hosptial stays for 3 people in the last year.
More later folks.
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Monday, January 11, 2010
Eos-something Pnuemonia
Well, after nearly 5 days of deliberation, the doctors here, all 187 of them, decided I have something called Eosinophilic Pneumonia. Huh? Yeah, I still can't pronounce it either. Now, what does that mean? Here it is straight from Wiki:
Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a disease in which a certain type of white blood cell called an eosinophil accumulates in the lung. These cells cause disruption of the normal air spaces (alveoli) where oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere. Several different kinds of eosinophilic pneumonia exist and can occur in any age group. The most common symptoms include cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and sweating at night. EP is diagnosed by a combination of characteristic symptoms, findings on a physical examination by a health provider, and the results of blood tests and x-rays. Prognosis is excellent once most EP is recognized and treatment with corticosteroids is begun.
So, in other words, they're putting me back on Prednisone. I had just finished that drug in mid December and now I'll be back on it again. I don't know what it is but it seems like that is this hospital's answer to everything problematic with me.
"He's got a rash?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"He's got pneumonia?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"What? He broke his foot!?"
"Put him on Prednisone...seriously."
He-heh. Doctors.
I feel okay otherwise. I'm still very short of breath when I get up to do something. But as of today it's not taking me as long to re-catch my breath, so that's good. I'm still on oxygen for right now, but the plan today is to get me off of my IV meds/fluids and starting taking my steroids orally. Which, is a good sign that I could be returning home in the next day or so. I hope so....because I don't know how much longer I can handle being in the hospital. I think I've done my bit and part for hosptial stays for 3 people in the last year.
More later folks.
Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a disease in which a certain type of white blood cell called an eosinophil accumulates in the lung. These cells cause disruption of the normal air spaces (alveoli) where oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere. Several different kinds of eosinophilic pneumonia exist and can occur in any age group. The most common symptoms include cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and sweating at night. EP is diagnosed by a combination of characteristic symptoms, findings on a physical examination by a health provider, and the results of blood tests and x-rays. Prognosis is excellent once most EP is recognized and treatment with corticosteroids is begun.
So, in other words, they're putting me back on Prednisone. I had just finished that drug in mid December and now I'll be back on it again. I don't know what it is but it seems like that is this hospital's answer to everything problematic with me.
"He's got a rash?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"He's got pneumonia?"
"Put him on Prednisone!"
"What? He broke his foot!?"
"Put him on Prednisone...seriously."
He-heh. Doctors.
I feel okay otherwise. I'm still very short of breath when I get up to do something. But as of today it's not taking me as long to re-catch my breath, so that's good. I'm still on oxygen for right now, but the plan today is to get me off of my IV meds/fluids and starting taking my steroids orally. Which, is a good sign that I could be returning home in the next day or so. I hope so....because I don't know how much longer I can handle being in the hospital. I think I've done my bit and part for hosptial stays for 3 people in the last year.
More later folks.
4 comments:
AnonymousJanuary 12, 2010 at 2:14 AMYou survived a bonemarrow transplant, so I am sure you will kick ass with the pneumonia! Sounds like you making progess if you are being weaned off the oxygen and getting off the IV meds. It has been amazing that you havent been back to hospital for the past 6 months, a huge achievement and shows just how strong you are...both mentally and physically. My mom is in hospital at the moment with complications from her chemo, but she is so positive, I know she'll fine. I hope you get to go home soon and return to your normal day to day routine.
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Sending lots of African sunshine, Alison
"Prognosis excellent" sounds very good. I'm waiting for more pictures made with that toy you've recevied Jonathon! Like you, I'm not a photographer at all, but the things you can do with those modern cameras are irresistible!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have been slimmed, like on Ghost Busters!! Slam those steriods and get better soon...I get into too much trouble left on my own for to long :)
ReplyDelete
luvu
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We will be very happy to have you back home too!
ReplyDeleteYou survived a bonemarrow transplant, so I am sure you will kick ass with the pneumonia! Sounds like you making progess if you are being weaned off the oxygen and getting off the IV meds. It has been amazing that you havent been back to hospital for the past 6 months, a huge achievement and shows just how strong you are...both mentally and physically. My mom is in hospital at the moment with complications from her chemo, but she is so positive, I know she'll fine. I hope you get to go home soon and return to your normal day to day routine.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of African sunshine, Alison
"Prognosis excellent" sounds very good. I'm waiting for more pictures made with that toy you've recevied Jonathon! Like you, I'm not a photographer at all, but the things you can do with those modern cameras are irresistible!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have been slimmed, like on Ghost Busters!! Slam those steriods and get better soon...I get into too much trouble left on my own for to long :)
ReplyDeleteluvu