Up The Farway Tree

On the Up?

I hope so!  I haven't updated because there was no change over the past week so nothing to report.  Yesterday however I did feel a bit better so thought I better let everyone know I am still alive ;-)

Last week the sickness had been better but it came back last weekend so I headed up to the hospital on Tuesday.   By this time the joints weren't as bad but I was back to just feeling non specifically 'unwell' with a borderline temperature and nausea.  I have lost about 4kg in the few weeks which isn't ideal as my weight is now below normal again but I am sure I will be able to regain that with some tasty treats.   When I saw the doctor it seemed like my bowel was obstructing again which might explain why the nausea came back - especially if I have had a virus and my threshold for feeling sick is low at the moment due to this.  In CF the sticky mucus is also present in the bowel (as well as lungs, sinuses etc) which can cause obstructions so I have increased my medication for this.  I also explained how bad my sinuses are at the moment because I am not sure if this is adding to the unwell feeling and might be causing the flickers in temperature.  The doc wants me to increase the antbiotic I restarted last month to a higher dose and continue the steroid drops for a few months.  He is going to refer me back to ENT again just to make sure we have exhausted every avenue as he is really worried about me taking any stronger painkillers (due to adverse effects on the bowel).  The pain is getting me down quite a lot as it is there every day when I wake up and never goes away.  It gets tiring after a while and I feel it holds me back from really making the most of these lungs but hopefully the new measures will help a bit.  

So since Tuesday the sickness has died down again and I am eating better now - trying to get some high calorie food in to build me back up again.  I am sure being underweight is not helping my energy levels!   Yesterday I didn't feel as 'unwell' and got on a bit better at work and managed to potter around the house in the afternoon so that was a move in the right direction.  I am hopeful that I will start to see some big changes over the next few days.

I have been at work this week and it wasn't too bad.  I know people think I push myself too much but after dealing with 30 years of ill health I know my own body pretty well.  I have become better over the years at accepting help and at pacing myself (honestly).  I have had a very quiet time over the past few weeks - hardly taken Seb out, watched a lot of TV and not a lot else.  This 'resting' is all very well in principle but it does nothing for your mental state.  If I can go to work then it is a good thing - it distracts me, it often makes me feel a bit better and gives me a focus.   Trust me, I'm a doctor.

It was also Andrew's birthday last week - poor boy didn't get much of a celebration with me moping about!  I did go into M+S on my way home and picked up some take away style things for dinner and a cake as a feeble gesture.   I will have to make a proper cake when I am fully recovered :-)   It will be both my birthday and mums when we are in Florida ( less than 2 weeks to go now!) so that will be very different.  I have told Andrew to let me buy something when we are there... lots of shopping malls :-)

I have a quiet weekend planned and then hopefully catch up with some friends next week before we go on holiday.  I have cancelled lots of plans to meet up in the past few weeks and have not seen anyone for about a month.  That is rather depressing.  I think I need some friend medicine to be honest!  I also have a haircut next week which is good for the soul (as long as it goes well haha).  It is through in Bathgate so I am also hoping to take Seb to Nan and Bob's for another visit.  This is where he is staying when we are in Florida so we are trying to take him for a few visits to make it seem more familiar.   He will be totally fine though - as long as he gets walks and hugs he is a happy boy.  In fact he probably wont be that fussed about coming home - he is really not that loyal ;-)   So a few things to keep me busy and hopefully my next post will be all good news...