Communication At Its Best!!

Thankfully all has been going well but since my episode off vomitting on Sunday/Monday im still getting a rather high amount of nausea. Not so nice!! Thankfully the nurses and staff are so amazing, I am still so mega shocked about how fab the treatment is!!

Anywho now that I have said all this I am about to contradict myself massively...a random chest consultant (whi I might add specialises in TB)  rocked up at my bed and decdied I was on far to much medication and some had to be stopped...initially she said it would be ny Montelukast. So I had a minor meltdown as this goes against my actually consultants plan.

After asking my nurse if I can leave the ward, I thought a well deserved mcdonalds drink was needed nom nom nom

Arriving back on the ward the night staff were now here and some amazing staff was on!!

The one nurse has been on a fair few nights and this is her last and she was the lush one to get me some so time consuming mags...and in return to say thank you I drew her a cartonised picture of her...to which (thankfully) she loves, when she took home to he partner also who is an illistrator aparently he said my art work is flipping amazig *beamingSmile*

Back to my actual nurse though this is my first night with her and I soon find out she is just as ace as the other.

Meds round comes and we find that the stupid doc didnt stop montelukast *result* but just stopped my aminophylline *angryface* . So me being me I had a melt down and cried and I had both nurses sat on my bed feeding me pink milk lol.

I was so stressed though I just couldnt sleep and had been up ALL night. The nurses though were so lush though and let me go to the desk and be with them all night!!

The one nurse I later find infact has asthma also and is under same cons as me and also pops by AUK also *happysmiles* and she then said that she has clinic this am and was going to stop via the specialist nurses to vent about the care ive had...did I forget to say that the stupid doc didnt even document any of this in my notes.

Tiredness set in...up all night...epic

Specialist nurses come along and talk to me to try and settle my mind which again is no treatment ive ever had before and i really appreciated it.

An hour later I get changed and I start to notice my arm becoming itchy and red and rashy so I press bell to get nurse...5 mins later Ive gone into yet another full blown anaphylaxis ffs  for stabs later and back to back nebs and im now no longer looking like a sunburnt chipmuck!!

Ive never seen so many people thoigh as they all took it as an oppotunity to whitness the reaction to see what happeneds...i just hope the bloods come back with answers!!

Well thats my excitment for the last few days...I doubt this makes sense as ive not slept since two nights ago, but I can officially say I am both physically and mentally drained *yuk*

Well im off to catch up on some P!nk to be stabbed again in 10 mins as they want more blood, so...

TTFN

XXXX

Well...

Since my recent experience of illness over the weekend im happy to say im feeling better. Still have slight nausea and headache but gar better than before.

Not much has happened though. Just really been sat here...untill today.

I finally got to see my consultant who told me my ph study results from the other week. And he said that my oesophagus is extremely weak and during the 24 hours of having the test it recorded 54 episodes of gastric problems. I only noticed 22 of them. So he will continue at the moment with the gastric meds but in clinic he will talk more so me about surgery. Great hey. He seems to think this could be my main issue for triggoring my asthma.

He has told me that I will be captured untill next thursday at least to which they will continue with the reduction of steroids but I will be on 7.5mg for a very long time. Also he is planning for me to have a couple of tests done next week to determine what it is thats going on so fingers crossed by next week I will have my official diagnosis and we can figure out the best medication long term.

The nurse last night has handed over that the next available cubicle should be mine lol so we will see!!

Sadly not much to say today so ill update you with my reduction progress!!

TTFN

XXXX

The Brummy Weekender

Oh how bored I am!!

Been here 4 days now, watched 16 dvds and munch through have a sweet shop. Ok, so maybe the second bit is a slight fib but sounds good hey!!

Today has been a bit of an exhausting day for some reason, been either sleeping or watching dvds. I wanted to go on a hunt for the dolls houses that are aparently scattered around the hospital, but I failed on that. Who knows, maybe tomorrow!!

Ive had some crappy news from home though that the disabilty team have yet again decided I dont qualify as disabled as can walk 40yards to far...still. I have to admitted im a little upset by this as I feel I should qualify as I am so restricted on what I can do. Everything I am applying for recently I am being turned down for!!

In other notes, ive got the same nurse as last night, and tonight (as they didnt have an emergency the second they walked on shift) she came and sat next to me for a good ten minutes and a natter. She also said she would bring me in some magazines to read tomorrow night as shes on shift again. I have to say, the level of sheer kindness and care up here is outstanding and I am overwhelmed by it as my locals have been so erm CRAP!!

Wow Sunday was a tad exciting. Had a cracking headache that just wouldnt shift no matter what. I was also feeling very tired and sick. After sleeping all day and all night and only waking to have meds, by 6 am Monday morning, things had got far worse.

The vomiting began!!

The docs came and seen me but well lets just say we are not friends. I tried telling him this was my adrenal glands again, but he didnt want to listen and said he wanted to check my aminophylline levels. Not really sure why. Doc just told me that because I wasnt wheezing we are continuing with the steroid reduction. Great.

By 1500 a lovely nurse came and cannualted me as the docs where taking far to long. By 1600 I attempted to have morning meds as had IV antisickness. (Funnily enough just as all this happened, a doc rocked up all cheery saying they have come to cannulate d'oh).

All was great, managed to keep my meds down this time round...so I thought I would take on tea. What an ass!! Bye bye meds lol

Was feeling a little sorry for my nurse as shes the one I had on my first night for ny allergic reaction, and now with the voming. Plus she only qualified 4 months ago!! Think shell hate me by the end of my admission!!

Well thats it for the last few days, never a dull moment hey!!

TTFN

XXXX

The Next Few Days

Sadly because I had had so much IV medication it kinda put the whole reason for me being here in the bin. So I had a set of bloods done and my nitric oxide levels done...the rest of the day consisted of me just sitting around dvd watching.

Atleast my second night was a little more dignified, as in no more allergic reactions, and because I was so exhausted from having no sleep for hours, I nodded off within minutes and the nurses were even kind enough to pull my curtains around me to block out as much light as possible to try not to disturb me. I also only woke twice for extra nebs so all in all a good night.

Day three has been pretty much as day two, but this time, brekkie nurse decided the floor would love a taste in my cereal and accidently dropped it everywhere and I had two sets of bloods and no breathing test. Doctors had said that they wanted me to have one more day to properly recover and tomorrow they will reduce my steroids by 2.5mg and stay at the new dose for a good few days. So far we have been set back roughly 3/4 days which is a slight pain as now I probably wont be able to see Jessie J at her book signing but I guess my lungs are a little more important lol.

I managed to escape for a walk also but as it has been raining ALL day, didnt get very far. My nurse was also a gem and went to the CF unit to get the internet code. Sadly though for some reason the password wont work which is a little gutting.

For now this has been my brummy journey!! Check in with you all in a few more days!!

TTFN

XXXX

Ps this is the view from my bed!!

First Night In The Mad House

And what a night it was.

All was great and going find. Had watched toy story 3 and madagascar chipwrecked and was just settling down when...

My body decided it wanted to have an allergic reaction. So I get jabbed twice with adrenalin, hydro and iv antihistamine. About 4 hours later I can see again and im not a red chipmunk no longer. Untill 7am and I decided to repeat last nights events. The docs then re jabbed me with everything.

All in all, I had four nurse, two junior docs, a reg and and itu docs pay me a visit.

And thats my latest trip to Birmingham hospital!! What fun!!

By nine am, ive had the specialist nurse pay me a visit, the vampire and three other docs just to make sure all is ok and remains dandy.

Only prob is, where as they are meant to b finding the best stable maintenance steroid level for me, that has now gone out the window as the want to wack my steroids up following the reaction. Great hey. Oh and did I forget to mention that the one test they were looking at running today now isnt happening coz im classified as unstable, flaming brilliant!!

My consultant has been informed and they are revising the plan!! Gggrrr

TTFN

XXXX

Well...Im Here

Birmingham came up trumps today and ten days later a bed has become available. A few minutes a flappy packing with my meds, wash kit and essentials such as phobe charger and me and the mother are off.

All was going well, we was going to be at the hospital by around 1600...untill we got to the end of the m5 and four cars decided they wanted to play dodgems and ram each other. So it ended like asda car park-minus the store. A two hour journey then turned into a four hour journey.

We get to the ward and the first three people didnt have a clue who we were. The fourth person did and said "ah yes second bed on left, well the only empty bed" and sent us on our way.

Mum and I then goes back to the car to get the rest of my gear (as remember I could be here for up to two weeks). On walking back into the ward we had a bit of a better reception and actually got introduced by my nurse and shown to my bed...even though we had already been here but ah well lol.

As I had missed tea, they were super lush and went and hunted down some cooked food for me and gave mum a hot drink.

Doc had been and clerked me in and then I asked the nurse for a nebuliser chamber so I could do my meds. To which the nurse said she would set up and I didnt need to do a thing. I was a little shocked to say the least, not used to this service!!

So I kicked back and watched toy story 3!! Lets hope this good service continues!!

Well untill tomorrow peoples!!

TTFN

XXXX

Pet Hates

Most people have pet hates such as not filling up the kettle after youve used it and then emptied it. Not cleaning out the bath once youve used it. If your walking to the kitchen then why not taken your mug with you. You know the trival things that general arnt worth argueing about but really do piss you off.

Recently, other than the above plus a few more, I have grown to have some much larger safari hates, these are:

♡ When people are having a munch, there is no need to make noises, have your mouth open and there is certainly no need to show the world your mashed up meal!! *puke*

♡ Why cant you put your dirty washing in the same washing basket that you have thrown it around or on top of?! Is it really that hard to lift up the lid!?

♡ If youve had an argument with the one parent/house, you dont need to then ring or go around to the other parents house to "cry" the crocodile tears to get all the attention possible. You then also dont need to demand that the "good" parent ring the other parent to make it seem like your the victim!!

♡ Knowing that I am full of a manky cold again, why do you insist on purposly chain smoking two foot away from me!?

♡ I have let you watch your programmes and I sat there in utter silence!! Please can you do the same for me!?

♡ Just because my face seems to be staring at the computer screen, doesnt mean I cant see you...picking your nose and eating it...

The list goes on and on and this is just within the last week - of my step sister being here!!

TTFN

XXXX

Feeling A Little Sorry For Myself

Last week on Monday I was provisionally booked in to the hospital in Birmingham in an attempt to start sorting out my medication and have lots of tests done to see what is making my asthna flare up so bad.

Everyday from Monday to Friday I had the same phone call, sorry no beds as A&E is heaving or just plane sorry theres no beds.
I have to admit im a little sad by this as I had my hopes built up so much that finally we could start getting some answers, but no. Better luck next week hey!! My bags are still packed so the minute that call happeneds we are off!!

In other areas, because the steroids have caused so much harm to my body, a week Thursday ago, I was turning in bed. Yes just turning when I hears a really loud click. Thinking nothing of it I tried going back to sleep. Epic fail there. So I went to the GP on the Friday who thought I ever had free fluid or an infection in my hip so got me to have bloods taken. He also gave me tramadol as im in so much pain and codeine wasnt touching it.

With orders from Fridays GP to attend the surgery on Monday, thats what I did. This GP on the other hand got me attempting lits of different movements with my leg and theb started pulling it in all direction. Ouch that hurt!! Her conclusion is damaged ligaments and cartlidge in my knee which is putting a strain on my hip!! Perfect!! I now have a referal to physio to help buil the strength back up, and hopfully get a support and walking aids if its not to late before I eventually get an appointment.

On the non health front, I am officially screwed with money. I have none left and really dont know what to do. I am giving it a few more weeks for the job centre to pull their fingers out, but if this doesnt happen in time, im going to have to pay a visit to the debt people and get a DRO which basically stop all extra charges for a year to which they then review the situation. It also gives me a bad credit history for six years post the DRO. Not what I want really before I hit 30, but im left with no option!!

In the meantime to make as much money as possible, I am literally spending around 6 hours a day on survey website trying to make as much money as possible. Fingers crossed it helps!!

TTFN

XXXX

Speechless

This time, I decided I wouldn't ramble like I always do. Instead I would make a video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQUA83aCTJA&feature=plcp

Enjoy!!

TTFN

XXXX

PH To The Rescue

My PH study has been complete. YAY!!

So after a week of being off my gastric medicines to try and get acurate results, I have had heartburn, vomiting, pain in my belly and zero to no sleep, what joys!!

The test itself was a little intense especially as I couldnt have the numbing spray as my body seems to like taking an allergic reaction to it.

All in all, I had to have four tests done and was in the day unit for a little while.

They test dthe strength of my gullet, the strength if the elastic band thing (dont remember the name lol). Erm tested to see if my stomach section takes all the flui I drink and whehther at that point any goes in my lungs and then they did the PH study.

The hardest and most annoying bit was that they used my right nostril for it all as its the biggest and just as they were going to put down the PH probe  my nostril closed over and they had to use my other one. Which is remarkably small and it really hurt.

I looked like the ass of the centry as I couldnt have the good old skin coloured tape as im allergic to that also, so had to have mass loads of mefix!! Yum!!

Over the 24 hours of having it in I managed really well, found ways of eating without it tugging and when I went to bed I found alternative ways of sleeping without tugging the probe or falling asleep on the monitor.

I should hopfully get the results next week in Birmingham as my local consultabt as ask for urgent results to be collated and sent to them which is fab.

I hooe now that they can sort the gastro side of things out meaning my lungs could potentially be a little less stroppy!!

TTFN

XXXX

What An Adventure!!

Its takingnne two days to write this as I didnt want it coming out as complete and utter jibberish!!

So...on Wednesday I got captured AGAIN as my lungs decided they wanted to get angry with me. When I got to A and E, my sats were 70% and my chest was silent. Grand!!

So since Wednesday, I have been in HDU!!

Two night ago I had a horrible nurse who refuses to give me nebs and refuses to follow the plan my consultant made. So as I was getting pissed off, I text mum knowing she wuild kick their arse even if it was 3am. Next thing I know, said nurse comes along throws a neb at me and says dont bother texting your mum again!! What a cheek!!

Yesterday I had just about had enough of everything and wanted to leave. So I packed up my stuff and said I was self discharging.

Next thing I know, I have junior sister, two nurses and a fair few doctors at my bed, holding me back saying I was not well enough to leave and that if I did go, they are 1000% sure I would be back by the night, but not needing my HDU bed but an ITU bed!! Gggrrr

This morning I chuckled, as I got up to go to the loo, my nurse stood on gaurd the whole time questioning where I was going etc when I had finished, I then questioned here - why you watching me like an eagle...her answer "thought you was escaping". My response to her was "I have a mass amount of oxygen blowing at my face and my phone is on my bed, Im going no where lol"

Well that has been my adventures so far. Fun hey!?

Next time you hear from me itll be about my PH study!!

TTFN

XXXX