Re: Newbies Oh my this is quite long

[Guest guest]

Peggy: I am not a Newbie, but you really got to my heart today with

this message to us. You are blessed with such a positive attitude

and kind and generous heart. I love you very much, Peggy. You are

so so special.

I LOVE YOU THIS DAY

MARY LOU - RICHMOND VA

IPF - 02

>

> Hi to all the Newbies, It seems like it has been forever since I

have

> welcomed anyone.. I am sorry about that.

> Welcome to our Air Family. We do carry on about personal things and

I

> think that is because we have become

> close and are indeed such a family of caring people all in this

fight

> against this cruel monster. Any questions are welcome and wanted.

> There are NO dumb questions. One of us WILL answer.

>

> My name is Peggy, I am 66 (34) years old. I live in Silver Springs

> Florida. I was diagnosed with IPF in June 2004. This is not what

> my husband and I had planned for our retirement. We moved into our

> new home 4/2004 so you can see we

> were not here long before my life forever changed. I go to Shands

> Hospital at the University of Gainesville

> for my care. I love my Dr. and her staff.

>

> About this disease--I was put on prednisone for an infection and

had

> horrible side effects. (all of them)

> So I do understand if you are having a hard time while on it. I

wish

> with everything in me I would NOT

> have ever heard of it. Please know it does not help IPF at

> ALL..enough about that.

> Before our move I was feeling really good and loosing some weight.

> Went to a new Dr. here and the first visit she told me I have a

heart

> or lung problem and she is doing some tests. I had a HRCT the next

> day along with blood work. After the CT I was told to wait to take

a

> report back to my Dr. right then. Well this isn't the biggest of

> towns so I didn't think to much of it. Of course when I got in the

> car I opened it and saw STAT on top.. I knew something was up. My

Dr.

> sent me to a pulmonary guy and he told me I have fibrosis and

would

> be having a OLB

> (open lung biopsy) I told him NO I won't, what else do we do now.

I

> didn't have a clue what it is.

> LONG story short, I went to Shands, my daughter found out what it

was

> the first night and couldn't think of a way to tell me. You have

to

> understand I have had many many surgeries and do not panic when

told

> something is going on with my body.

> About three months or so I was put on 02 at night. Then it

increased

> to activity then 24/7. I was so ill from the prednisone it didn't

> really matter to me.. THEN I found out what really had, then and

> found this group.

> THIS GROUP has saved my mind more that I can say.

> I have had several drops in saturation the past year and am

currently

> using from none sitting to 6L just putzing around the house. Going

> out has all but stopped except with a wheel chair. Of course

Church

> Always. Anyhow I use 8 to 10L for walking and thats walking slow.

> That is really hard for me--slow...

> This disease is truly a monster.

>

> I have a very strong faith in God and know He has a master plan.

> Sundays feed my soul.

>

> I am on wellbutrin, synthroid and ambian (12-years now) I know

this

> sounds like all gloom and doom but I am so blessed with family and

> good friends. The best husband

> that loves me regardless of our circumstances. He is my best friend.

>

> I have said so many times, I am happy, Blessed and not afraid of

> death but this dyeing part is no fun.

> So I choose to LIVE the life I have been given to it's fullest.

One

> year ago we took a trip to Chattanooga,

> I love to travel. My dream was to have a big ol' Motor home and

cross

> the good ol' USA. NOW THAT would

> be the BEST.. But I'll stay right here in the Forest and invite

all

> to come see me.

>

> May God Bless and Keep each and every one of you is my prayer

>

> Love & Prayers, Peggy

> Florida, IPF/UIP 2004

>

> " I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet,

> when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. "

>

>

> 

>