Sam'swifeShirley Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Ok guys. I'm going to take the risk this week and make my first posting on the "Good News" forum. My brain fog (radiation encephalopathy) is lifting. I haven't had a nap in two days! I still get a little heavy headed in the afternoon but it passes. My persistent esophageal ulcer (from the chest radiation and agrevated by the prednisone) must be better as my odynophagia (painful swallowing) and esophageal spasms are 90% better now. My steroid myopathy and ataxia (muscle weakness and clumsiness) are definitely better now that my prednisone dose is down to 30 mg/day. My bronchoscopy last week showed no cancer. My shortness of breath is at least stable, on the prednisone and continuous oxygen and I still have hope that I will be able to get off both the prednisone and the oxygen and function. I can actually do two miles in about 45 minutes on my treadmill now, with the oxygen, of course. Not so good news but not so bad, my weight is higher than ever before but I started a diet yesterday. I'll report back on that. An finally, I went in and saw a few patients today, for the first time in over two months. Just a few but it's a start. No one seemed to mind the oxygen tank. I hope everyone has good news soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Way to go, Sam! Celebrate! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Way to go Sam!!!!! 2 miles in 45 minutes ON oxygen - impressive! Here's hoping that everyday you just feel better and better, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teetlee Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Way to go Sam!!!! I'm so happy to hear such good news. Especially that you actually saw a few patients. It sounds like you are diligently fighting to get your life back. I pray that you get back 100% of it. When I was on high doses of prednisone I gained a lot of weight. I was up to 210. I had never weighed that much my whole life. But in Apr. of last year I crashed and almost went into a diabetic coma. That's when i was diagnosed with diabetes also. The doc. said it was type 2 brought on by steroids. I was also using a steroid cream over my entire body because of a rash reaction to Iressa. Anyway, my point is, I had to go on a strict carb counting diet and in this past year I've lost 65 lbs. Hopefully when you take less prednisone your weight problem will correct itself. I'm down to 10 mg. a day and hoping to go to 7.5 this summer. Sam, I sure hope to see you posting more and more on the good news forum. Teet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam, That's great news! You give me hope that shortly my mom will have better days as well. Here's to easy breathing! Faylene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam, Thats so wonderful! I'm so glad to see that you are doing so well!!! Yeah Sam!! Great news!! Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam! This is great news. I'll continue praying for your FULL recovery back to vim and vigor! Hugs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam, That's GREAT news!!! Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam, I'm so happy to hear such a good report from you You are an inspiration for me. Now i gotta start exercising Little by little your health is returning. Hooray and keep up the good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrie Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam - Your news is just the best!! Glad to see you are doing so well. I am jealous of the treadmill thing - I can't seem to get started!! Here's hoping for continued good news!!! God Bless!! Terrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karma1976 Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 so happy!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdaW Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Dear Sam, I am so happy to read your good news, that's terrific. I'm sure it was wonderful to return to work. Take care. I am thinking of you. Ada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyd Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam Add my name to the happy group I had to laugh, my husband is walking 3-5 times a day to the mail box and back. But it is progress. He is also working just a little - real good for the soul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Sam, You are an inspiration to all of us!!! Blessings to you, Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted April 30, 2003 Author Share Posted April 30, 2003 Many thanks to all. And thanks for the support in getting me through the last two months. What an absolutely great group of folks you are. Now I've got to plan a fishing trip! Anybody have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 Sam Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to be just like you. On the treadmill and off of this prednisone. Do you think the walking is helping with the breathing? I have had to up my dosage to 40 MG per day. Pulmonary doc is sending me to Pulmonary Rehab on Friday. I guess I have to go through some testing then to make sure I can get through the rehab. I have gained 50 pounds on this stuff and have been buying new cloths. My entire body looks like the Pillsbury Dough Boy with a big moon face. I see my oncologist in the am to get the results of my scans. Will post tomorrow night. Sue M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted May 1, 2003 Author Share Posted May 1, 2003 Sue I'm sure that the exercise helps. The good thing about the treadmill is that you can stop anytime you have to, or slow down or speed up as you can. It also can't hurt with the weight. I've got to do something about that. For years, I've weighed about 200, which is 25 to 35 more than I should. Now I'm 213 and can feel every pound. I got down to 184 in the peak of my radiation esophagitis last summer. Will be praying for good test reports for you and productive pulmonary rehab. I'm not doing any formal rehab yet but very well may in the future. I'll be anxious to see how yours goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyd Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 Sam, Don't know much about fishing except that it is a good idea to fish where the fish live. Heehee Have fun - you deserve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 GREAT NEWS!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 Sam—Terrific!! I'm not a fisher-person, but my husband is. His best fishing trip was to Alaska for salmon fishing! **Try it: You'll like it** I'm going to go on cheering you on!!! JudyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Hi Sam they are catching huge walleyes on the Detroit river up here, c'mon up and I'll dig the fishing pole out!. Gkad to hear you are doing so well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted May 2, 2003 Author Share Posted May 2, 2003 Hey David, Man I wish I could. Walleye is one (of many) that I've never caught. Here in Georgia we mostly catch large mouth bass, catfish and blugills. I've watched an awful lot of walleye being caught on The Outdoor Channel and Outdoor Life Network though. Maybe I'll take you up on it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Lots of Walleyes here in Minnesota lakes. Season opener is coming up soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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