Update, Fr. Dave

[Guest guest]

As I have mentioned I have been running back and forth to Calgary to a

Pulmonologist because of some strange sights on my lungs they found on a recheck

Chest X-ray since my bout with Pneumonia in May. CT Scans only proved they were

still there so it came down to a Bronchoscopy, Pulmonary Function Studies and

several appointments in Calgary with a Pulmonologist. What is below happened at

my last visit.

Well, my appointment with the Pulmonologist went rather well, as say rather,

because he admitted they did not yet know what is growing in my lungs. They

seemed to have ruled out ABPA for the moment and think that it is more linked

to the Rheumatoid Arthritis and other members of Arthur's family that I have.

So, just after hearing of a Prednisone nightmare on another list, guess what

drug they prescribed, you have three chances and the first two don't count.

Yep, Prednisone and not at a small dose but at 50 mg per day. He has prescribed

a 6 month course of it with a check up in three months. But as you can also

guess, there went my blood sugars. My blood glucose levels are higher now than

when they first diagnosed Diabetes in me.

Now here is a bit of disconcerting news, he was also prescribing an antibiotic

to counter the depressed immune system causing infections. He

said, as he was writing, Septra. Whoa, red flags, and sirens went off in my

head and I told him I am allergic to Sulpha Drugs, the fact which was written on

the top of my chart in large red letters. He missed it. So he went out and

consulted with his partner in crime and came back and said no antibiotics but

prescribed 1000 units daily of Vitamin D and 1250 mg of Calcium Carbonate twice

daily.

Went to see my Primary Physician on Thursday to touch bases with him. After

all, he is the one that has to handle the fallout with this treatment as he is

the closest. He would not have the latest report from the Pulmonologists yet

either.

So I am in day four of the treatment and so far only the blood sugars have been

affected. One thing that should happen in the next few days is a lessening of

the pain from my arthritic problems. I have had to really increase my insulin

levels rapidly to begin with as readings in the 15's to 26 mmol/l and had to get

them down quickly. They are somewhat better now so I will just maintain what I

take now to see if they settle down further.

There is never any boring things in my life, and things seem to be picking up

momentum again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I could sure use your prayers.

Blessings to all Fr. Dave

PS I now have a sheet that I hand the nurses and doctors when they ask about

medication. The sheet containing all the health care numbers, addresses, phone

numbers and Next of Kin, also has a listing of all the medications I am on and

what for. Before this last visit it did not have drug allergies on it. It does

now, in large red letters, allergic to Sulpha drugs and all it's derivatives.

PPS There goes all the church services and Christmas Dinners as I have to avoid

large gatherings of people due to the much more lowered immune system. No fun

at all.

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