[misc.handicap] BACK FROM THE DEAD!!!

Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (06/05/90)

Index Number: 8613

Hi,

I have a little story to share with you all. It is part of the
reason I haven't been around these here parts as much I used to be
and why I have not answered all of the messages some of you have
written me.

As some of you know, I am a very severe year around allergic and I
suffer from frequent and acute Bronchospasm.

About some two weeks ago, I found rather suddenly, that I Had
stopped responding to my usual arsenal of medications and my Pulmo
- Aide as well. This necessitated an emergency trip to hospital.

At hospital, I was examined, X-rayed (lungs) and informed that my
medications and Pulmo - Aide were not working because on top of my
usual respiratory problems, I had developed a virus and was further
diagnosed with a Chronic and fatal lung disease.

The implication was that I was entering a more severe stage of lung
disease and so my meds would have to be increased, more time on the
Pulmo - Aide and other support and that hospitalization was
probably on the near horizon.

The diagnosis was handed to me casually by the attending physician
at hospital, as he assumed that I was aware of the position I was
being told I was in. But, here's the kicker, up until this time, I
had "never" had any such diagnosis!!!!  It was, to say, the first
time I had been handed a death sentence because of my respiratory
difficulties!

To state it mildy, I was taken quite by surprise. I found myself in
a state of both disbelief and anger. Anger that being blind and
hearing impaired is enough, now this too. I was also angered at the
way this diagnosis was casually handed to me, although, I would not
want such information kept from me.

I was then put back to my primary physican for testing and
treatment (since I was ill.). After spending a week waiting for
some way to be tested by my doctor and dicussing what had happened,
I will tell you that a whole hell of a lot of things crossed my
mind, everything from images of myself sitting doubled over in a
hospital bed with every breath cutting my chest like a knife to you
people here on this little computer in my home.

This past Friday I was in for intensive breathing tests with my
primary physician (in this part of my life) and I am here to tell
you with all great joy and relief that I had been
"misdiagnosed!!!!!!!!!"

While I still do have considerable respiratory problems, I "DO NOT"
have a fatal lung disease. I was in fact, just sick, which
aggravated my respiratory difgficulties!!!!  My lungs, so far, are
stiill snapping right back after my attacks and bad days!  In fact,
my doc says that, for as bad as my spasms are, my lungs seem to
snap back even better than many of his other patients whose
problems are not as bad as my own! I don't mind telling yyou, I am
"damned pleased!!"

I don't know how or why I was misdiagnosed in this way or what the
hospital attending thought he read or saw on my tests or X-Rays,
but he blew it big time!  I have no intention of taking any kind of
action against that physician, (if in fact, there is any I can
take) although I suspect he will be the receipient of a good
dressing down by my physician.

I have just come through an emotionally exhausting couple of weeks,
so, if I have missed or ignored some of your messages, please
excuse!

I will say this for the record, "Vixen" has neither run away, is
dead or otherwise been "put aside!" I am alive and kicking and with
more vigor than ever!!!!!

Keepin' the faith!

.                            Vixen

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