Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Turning a Virtual Corner – & – Virtually Coughing Up a Lung

I’ve learned over the years that even with the best health care available we must advocate for ourselves. Sometimes, though, we need the help of a bright physician who’s on his game. This has been one such occasion.

When the awesome Dr. T advised my husband to stop taking a multi-purpose medication his kidneys not only improved but his appetite returned and dizziness went away. He has also been taken off all blood pressure medication that was described decades ago. I thought once you got on meds for high blood pressure you never stopped.

As I type my husband is seeing the kidney doctor again. We agree the specialist will be happy with ongoing improvements. I’ve been driving my husband everywhere for months and his regained confidence behind the wheel is a blessing in more ways than one because I developed a nasty upper respiratory infection, no doubt due to stress.

I cannot recall the last time I fell ill, having learned a long time ago that I must wash my hands after traveling even a short distance and to never touch my face while out and about. It probably looks odd if other drivers notice me scratching the side of my nose through clothing. I don’t care.

Pasts illnesses have been much more painful; my throat isn’t aching and my headache mild. Last night, though, I couldn’t stop coughing up phlegm between around 2am and sunrise. It finally eased up and my man bought me some cough syrup. For a while there I feared coughing so hard that I ended up with a detached retina.

Can you believe my husband thought he was dying just a week ago? And how fortunate are we to have such a great medical team?

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22 comments:

  1. Dearest Darla,
    Happy for your husband's progress!
    Kidneys are critical and mine are at the stage of failure—nothing I can do about it. The bike accident accelerated the AKI...
    Oh my, coughing I know as I've had so many times a bronchitis and even asthma where I had to use the pump.
    So far, that is okay as long as I stay away from cold areas...
    Not touching your face is a myth as everything is everywhere—only the environment selects. Being sleep deprived and/or under stress is more dangerous.
    Pieter and I know about microorganisms as that was our job and it is close to medical infections and diseases. Hygiene is a big issue but we cannot keep all the things away from us by not touching our face or even more silly, by wearing a mask.
    Big hugs and wishing you both well.
    Mariette + Kitties

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  2. I'm glad your husband's on the mend. I hope you feel better soon. Being sick sucks.

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  3. I'm glad your husband is much better. Now you need to get well.

    My doctor took me off high blood pressure medication a while ago and I'm doing just fine. My blood pressure reads just fine without the medication.

    Have a fabulous day and week. Hugs. ♥

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  4. I am so happy to see your husband is much better. That is great news. I hope you feel better soon. XO

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  5. That's so wonderful and when you find the right doctor the good things happen.

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    1. Yes! And I've had some doctors that were sub par, so I fired them. lol Be well!

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  6. One has to push and prod to find medical personnel who can help!
    Some just rubber stamp; finding one who thinks outside of the box is worthwhile, and it's good to read that your husband is doing much better.
    Hope you recover soon too.

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  7. Good news for your husband, not so good for you. I hope you recover very soon.

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  8. That is amazing! I know the bp med I'm on can damage kidneys. As well as congest my ears and nose. Awesome your doctor caught it all. Second chance on life! But you-----yikes, tiz the cold season. Get well soon.

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  9. Yes, Darla, sometimes, the care of skilled and attentive doctors, can bring such amazing results. I’m glad he’s regaining confidence and independence. As for your upper respiratory infection, stress can be such a sneaky culprit. I hope you are feeling better. Take care.

    (My latest post: Blog post comments and replies on Google's Blogger)

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  10. Oh goodness. Well, we're glad the hubby's doing better, and we hope that nasty cough gets knocked right out of you. I know this reply is late, so I'm hoping you're both doing better by now and can enjoy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words. And no worries about replying late because I'm so far behind it's ridiculous. lol Hugs to you and yours, sweet Smudge.

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  11. Oh, but the hardest part of feeling better is to find that one doc that is on top of things. This is why in my one hour and 30 min drive from my general doc, I made the choice to cont to use her. She is, in my book, not only on top of things, but she really cares. If I feel I really need to see her for something bad, I will make that drive. If something a fast pace doc around here can handle I take those steps. Problem being, with my stones, my general doc is not the one to take care of those and although my stones this yr compared to last yr., I have had better care but even with that said, I feel there were a lot of test that might have been uncalled for and the use of portals can be good for somethings but in other areas, you don't always get the info you need or its not explained like it should be when talking with a doc. Anyway, you are correct, we have to be on top of it ourselves which sucks in a sense cause we pay out the rear for coverage and most times we have to diagnosis ourselves. With that said, not that my care will be better, it will cost me less starting in Feb when Medicare takes over. Keeping my insurance now as my second coverage, I will pay basically nothing. Glad you feel lots better. Best to take something for sure to be able to keep the lung in the body.

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