Re: Ken R

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken, Just jumpin in to say you are new and have questions so YES it is ALL about you until you feel comfortable. Don't think you can ask to many questions. There are many very knowledgeable people here that live with this disease that areso willing and able to help all newbies. Blood Oxygen levels in BG- blood gas. this is taken from the artery in your wrist. I only allow this to be done with lidocane. (sp?)  Have you had PFT's and 6 min walk as of yet ? PFT-pulmonary function test. 6 min. walk your saturation is measured as you walk to see how your body uses oxygen.  Hang around you are in the BEST place you could hope to be for ILD information.Love & Prayers, PeggyFlorida,  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."  Bruce, I looked up my medical records again and there it is: "Interstitial Lung Disease" but I totally agree - I want UNDENIABLE proof! I apologize; all this has been about me and my condition.  Please tell me your journey!  Did you seek medical help because of symptoms or was it discovered during a routine exam?  How long have you had PF and what are your symptoms now?  How invasive is an open lung biopsy and what is the recovery period?  Etc. Would you happen to know what abbreviation is used on a medical report for blood/oxygen levels?  I have all these letter and scores on my report but no idea how to read them. Thanks, Bruce!Ken --- On Mon, 3/9/09, Bruce Moreland <brucemoreland (AT) gmail (DOT) com>wrote:From: Bruce Moreland <brucemoreland (AT) gmail (DOT) com>Subject: Re: Veterans BenefitsTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, March 9, 2009, 1:37 PMKenYou may well have it but I just wouldn't be comfortable personally witha determination only from an X-Ray. As you were part of a special groupbeing tested, perhaps that was among the things they anticipatedfinding, whereas in most of our cases it is not what they expected tosee. Also, you need to know if they can detect what form of the disease.Get copies of all results and interpretations and charts. Many of us hadPF diagnosed from CT's but had biopsies to determine the form. Some evenhad to have the biopsies to determine it was PF or something else.> > >> > >> > > From: Mango man mangomaninparadise@ ...> > > Subject: Re: Veterans Benefits> > > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com> > > Date: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 10:20 PM> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > I have been directed by other veterans to apply for medical> benefits.> > I was hesitant at first for the VA Hospitals and clinics have come> under> > attack over the years for their less than professional treatment of> our> > veterans. But I went ahead and applied to see whether I wouldqualify.> > As it turns out, I am entitled to medical coverage (Priority Group7c)> > for my net worth (for the moment) is at a level high enough to> requires> > I have co-pays for my doctors visits and medications. I currently am> > covered by a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan which would then become my> > secondary to the VA. I am quite skeptical that they would be able to> > deal with something like IPF but I have been told there have> specialized> > centers around the country that work closely with major teaching> > hospitals to include even the IPF Net. I am wondering if any of youon> > this network currently receive your care through the Veterans> > Administration? If you do, could you relate> > > your experiences?> > >> > > Mike> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Peggy! Yes, I am new to all this and it is a bit overwhelming. Thank you, too, for the information on blood/oxygen. No, I haven't had any of those tests but I assume I will on the 16th - I am greatly looking forward to that appointment! How are you doing? Ken

From: Bruce Moreland <brucemoreland@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Veterans BenefitsTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comDate: Monday, March 9, 2009, 1:37 PM

KenYou may well have it but I just wouldn't be comfortable personally witha determination only from an X-Ray. As you were part of a special groupbeing tested, perhaps that was among the things they anticipatedfinding, whereas in most of our cases it is not what they expected tosee. Also, you need to know if they can detect what form of the disease.Get copies of all results and interpretations and charts. Many of us hadPF diagnosed from CT's but had biopsies to determine the form. Some evenhad to have the biopsies to determine it was PF or something else.> > >> > >> > > From: Mango man mangomaninparadise@ ...> > > Subject: Re: Veterans

Benefits> > > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com> > > Date: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 10:20 PM> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > I have been directed by other veterans to apply for medical> benefits.> > I was hesitant at first for the VA Hospitals and clinics have come> under> > attack over the years for their less than professional treatment of> our> > veterans. But I went ahead and applied to see whether I wouldqualify.> > As it turns out, I am entitled to medical coverage (Priority Group7c)> > for my net worth (for the moment) is at a level high enough to> requires> > I have co-pays for my doctors visits and medications. I currently am> > covered by a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan which would then become my> > secondary to the VA. I am quite skeptical that they would be able to>

> deal with something like IPF but I have been told there have> specialized> > centers around the country that work closely with major teaching> > hospitals to include even the IPF Net. I am wondering if any of youon> > this network currently receive your care through the Veterans> > Administration? If you do, could you relate> > > your experiences?> > >> > > Mike> > >> >>