Too much time has passed since I have provided you an update. Sorry about that.

The test results did come back from the Pulmunary Function Tests and the technician was right on. The lung disease has not progressed and the functions are all good. The bad part of that, which when put in perspective isn't really bad....if I weighed less I would probably be breathing better. So there it is, another healthy reminder of how important it is to control the things you can control. I wish I would have taken time to write that down before the Thanksgiving feast, maybe I would have made a different choice when it came to that second piece of pie.
No use looking into the past when it's the future that's in front of us.

I also had an appointment with a GI specialist since I last blogged. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for January 4th. I'm counting on dropping a few pounds that week. I will have to make sure I weigh in at Weight Watchers after the procedure. Amazing all the muscles that need to considered a when you have a "muscle disease".

Lately I have been thinking of all the little things that I have heard that help me make some of the choices I do each day and would like to share a few of them with you.

A couple weeks ago I was watching Dr. Phil and the author of "Tuesdays with Morrie" shared a story that just stuck with me.
He said, each morning when you wake up pretend there is a bird sitting on your shoulder. You say "Good Morning Bird" and the bird says "how would you live today if it was your last"?
Now, remember, this bird is not leading you to a money tree so don't go and quit your job.
However, kiss your spouse, smile at your neighbor, say Good Morning to your CoWorker and mean it, if you have kids decide if the last words your going to share with them are grumpy ones and here's a new thing that I heard once that I will try to never forget.....
You can never take words back once you let them out. You can however spend a lifetime trying to forgive yourself or someone else for words that hurt.

Don't do that to yourself or anyone else.

Finally, when someone asks you "How are you doing?", consider this response "my cup runneth over".

Have a great day.
My cup runneth over.

Kris

It's 3:30 AM

It's 3:30 AM and for the third time, or is it the fourth time, this week I am wide awake. I believe this would be a side effect of the prednisone.
I try to fall back to sleep. One of the things I do is say the alphabet and try to think of as many positive words for each letter as I can.
It goes something like this....A, amazing, attitudes....B, beauty, believe, Beth...C, courage, care, confidence (you get the picture). It doesn't do much for putting me to sleep but it certainly fills me up with good thoughts.
Today (well, actually yesterday, Thursday) I had my Pulmunary Function Test. The technician, Patty Jensen was outstanding. She provided a detailed explaination of each test, the purpose of the test, what the results may uncover, how to perform the test, etc....
She had the results from the tests that I took in May and so she gave me a quick comparison and said that the pulminologist would read the results and send a report over to Dr. Cohen early next week. All looks good. Three of the five tests show slight improvement and the other two are nearly identical to what they were in May. When I find out more I will let you know.
I have to tell you, I am having more good days than bad. I don't want to jinx myself but either the prednisone, or the new work schedule or something is working. I read an article once where a myositis patient said something to the effect of she never really knew how bad she felt until she felt good. I now understand what she meant however I have no really good way of explaining it to you.
Earlier today someone asked me if I ever get mad. I said, I am sure I do but I thankfully I don't remember the last time. I guesss when you know that your energy may be compromised you don't want to waste it on something negative. Sure bad things happen but in the grand scheme of things "my cup overflows".
I hope yours is too.

Good Night....or Good Morning depending on when you read this.
klb

PS - I am heading down to the big screen TV. I love the DVR feature. Is there anything finer than watching Greys Anatomy without commercial interruption?
Yes, watching it with Bill, at a reasonable hour.

Tuesdays tests

As you may remember, Tuesday, November 6th was a day I had a couple of tests scheduled. A CT Scan of my chest and an MRI of my brain. The tests were non invasive. They didn't hurt. The MRI was loud and nerve wracking but not painful. When all was complete the technician said that the doctor would have the results in 48 hours.
Yesterday afternoon the doctor called (ahead of schedule, I love that)

The MRI was normal. Yeah, I have brain and it's a good one. It's a keeper.
The CT of my lungs was not normal. Now don't freak out, it wasn't normal the last time either. The beginning of my disease cause a condition called ILD or interstatial lung disease. There is "fogging on the image" at the base of my lungs and there is a new spot that showed up as well. To the best of my knowledge, this "fogging" has also been called "ground glass". The doctor explained that it's possible it is a small infection in my lungs, but that with the number of medications I take to suppress my immune system we need to make sure that we are vigiliant to symptoms and keep a close eye on everything. At this time she will leave all medication as is. I am scheduled for a pulmunary function test next week and once the results of that are in she will make a determination if it will be necessary for me to seek the care or evaluation of a lung specialist.

That's it in a nutshell.

I bought a book recently. Actually, I bought about a dozen of them I liked it so much. Anyway it's called "What Children Know about Angels."

Here's a little snip-it:
"When angels talk to God they say "Hallelujah !" It means "awsome". (Benton-age 9).

Have a great day.
Tomorrow's Friday already.

klb