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 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org