Sunday 28 February 2010

Lazy Sunday

My life is so boring! I'm trying to motivate myself to move and start a fun day of housework. I haven't done any for so long, playing with dust generally doesn't agree with my lungs. I woke up feeling wheezy a few times overnight so ideally I wouldn't tackle housework today but the amount of dust around probably isn't ideal either!!

Oh and on the subject of stupid lungs; after taking the higher dose of Pred a few days back I've been suffering from blurred vision again. I was driving along yesterday thinking hmmmm maybe I shouldn't be driving when I can't read roadsigns until I'm right on top of them.... don't get me wrong, I can see the other cars etc! It's just that everything is slightly out of focus. I guess I can't be entirely sure that it's the Pred, but it has only started happening this month and I've convinced myself that it's related to the high doses of Pred. The more I think about it the more it's concerning me; I might make an appointment with my optician.

Anyway, I really should do something with my day! Plan - have something to eat, do some housework, then later on make some cards for some upcoming birthdays :)

Friday 26 February 2010

Let the games begin

So today is officially the start of my weight loss competition. A few other people at work have joined us so now there are 4 of us in the 'official' competition and a few other people who are playing along but don't want to make it into a formal competition. In 12 weeks those cocktails will be mine (even if I have to starve between now and then haha)!!!!

I've signed up with a few mystery shopper companies in the hope that I can give my poor abused bank account a little boost. I'm doing my first mystery shopping job tomorrow! Well, 3 jobs, £10 each, so £30 for about 1.5 hours work - not bad me thinks!!

Begrudingly I had to take 60mg of Pred this morning :( I had the most horrendous night and I didn't fancy my chances of making it through the day. I don't have a clue what I'm doing with my steroids anymore. I'm refusing to take the high doses on a daily basis as I've noticed that my vision gets blurry when on any dose above 20mg, but unfortunately, 20mg doesn't do that much for my stupid lungs. I'm trying really hard to keep myself out of hospital in the hope that when I see my consultant on 15th March he'll be able to make a suggestion for my treatment that will make a difference. (sigh) I can live in hope.........

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Happy days

I've been in a slightly better mood today :) I get so frustrated over my stupid lungs that I find it's easy to get really down.

I work with a lovely team of people, and on the whole, the work is good too. I miss my old job, I'm not allowed to work on the wards right now, infact, I'm lucky that I'm allowed to work at all. I was made to stay off work for 21 months, it looked like I wouldn't be allowed back but I won that battle, for the time being at least (that fun debate isn't over yet :( )

I've put on too much weight recently. Partly from being so inactive and partly due to the evil steroids. Well I say that, I'm not entirely sure how much of it is down to steroids and how much of it is down to me using the steroids as an excuse to eat too much!! I've entered into a little competition at work with a friend; see who can lose the most weight by the time she goes on holiday in May. It's the first time I've done anything like this - made weight loss a competitive or public thing, but hopefully it will give me some much needed motivation! (Haha she writes whilst eating mini eggs!! Luckily the competition hasn't started yet, the first weigh day is Friday lol). The 'loser' has to buy the other cocktails, I <3 cocktails!!! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!!!!!! :)

Sunday 21 February 2010

Hi :)

Hello if you're bothering to read this :)

This is my first attempt at blogging. I have been reading other blogs for a while and thinking about setting up my own, today I am finally taking the plunge and seeing how it goes. I'm hoping to be able to make some friends who can understand how it feels to like with BA.

I guess I'll introduce myself...
I'm Dawn and I'm 28. I'm a nurse and trying VERY hard to continue working right now even though my lungs are fighting against me.
I've had brittle asthma for about 5 years now. It came out of nowhere, I was perfectly healthy up until that point. It's gradually impacted upon my life more and more, I've been told more than once that I would have to give up work but have managed to keep going for the time being.
Last year I had a heart attack, the doctors think it was caused by the strain on my heart caused by the frequent, severe asthma attacks. When I'm having a bad flare up of asthma that I can't control I suffer from Coronary Artery Spasms, which are a bit like Angina.

I'm feeling rather sorry for myself right now. I've had 2 admissions already this month and I'm still feeling pretty rubbish. I don't like being pessimistic buuuuuut I'm heading for another admission pretty soon. I have a lovely respiratory nurse but last week she told me that she couldn't do anything further for me and I have to wait for the appointment with my consultant (in 4 weeks time) to discuss what else can be done. Great, thanks, I'll just continue not being able to do my job, not being able to sleep, not being able to walk etc etc and try and keep myself out of hospital until then :(

Anywayyyyyyyy I'm feeling very isolated right now. I spend my time either at work or at home alone. I shouldn't complain, I know that I'm lucky that I am still able to work. I live alone with my cat (thankfully I'm not allergic to him!), and even though he is my baby it would be nice to have some (human) friends around.......

So yes, that is me in a nutshell. I'm not always so miserable - promise! I'm just feeling pretty down right now and lack of sleep isn't helping. I'll be back to post something a little more cheery soon! :)