Leah B.
Servant of All
Well, the prednisone is really helping me with this COPD exacerbation. I took my first dose last night. Just took my second, plus I took my antibiotic. Because I have GERD and need omeprazole [acid blocker], I had to set my alarm for seven a.m. to take the azythromycin, then wait two hours to take the omeprazole. That's another issue here: I actually have not one, but two, conditions that can hurt your breathing and give you chest pain. In fact, I finally got the GERD diagnosis when I showed up in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. My point here? I'm very frustrated. I have to always be factoring what could be causing what. I have to stay calm even when things get scary. I work SO hard to exercise and stay on top of my COPD. This is in spite of problematic feet, arthritic knees and the never-ending jaw issues, TMJ and a movement disorder of unknown etiology. Anyway, no matter what I do, I get one-to-two COPD flares per year, guaranteed one in mid-November. I always end up being angry with myself because I smoked, and I always get scared I won't recover from the episode. I picture my mother, who also had COPD/emphysema, on her death bed in the hospital; and I remember how she just suffered and suffered, especially the last three years of her life. I pray I don't end up like her. When I'm not having a flare-up, you wouldn't even know I have lung disease, but, wow! This episode has turned out to be a harsh reminder.
Anyway, on a happier note, my exercise bike has arrived! Gym quality! Thank you, Jesus, for it getting here early. This being said, I am asking for prayer in Jesus's name about yet another health problem, namely, bilateral thumb arthritis. I have it in all three thumb joints, both sides. Of most concern is the thumb bases, right worse than left. I was doing fairly well with this. Then last night I was just sitting up typing with my index fingers, not even using my thumbs, and out of nowhere, I was getting stabbing pain in my right thumb base and ache in the left one. I finally threw on braces and tried to get some sleep. Probably got three hours if that. I'm scared. I am losing control over my life. My apartment is in disarray. I'm behind because of the COPD flare, because of getting ready for Thanksgiving while going to marathon doctors' appointments and so forth. I'm so behind! I invited my dad, my niece and her kids for "Little Christmas" on the 17th. I have to clean. I have to cook. I can't live without my hands!!! So far I have managed to not need steroid injections into my thumbs for two years. Please pray in Jesus's name the pain goes down. Please pray I get the right care for this condition in a timely fashion. They have all different surgeries and even joint replacements. It's just you get put through all sorts of conservative treatment, multiple rounds of injections, first. [As an aside, it's a JOKE to try to cook with thumb braces on. I think if it gets that bad, I should get the surgery!] Anyway, please pray about that. I just can't take any more pain and problems like this! It's too much!
Anyway, on a happier note, my exercise bike has arrived! Gym quality! Thank you, Jesus, for it getting here early. This being said, I am asking for prayer in Jesus's name about yet another health problem, namely, bilateral thumb arthritis. I have it in all three thumb joints, both sides. Of most concern is the thumb bases, right worse than left. I was doing fairly well with this. Then last night I was just sitting up typing with my index fingers, not even using my thumbs, and out of nowhere, I was getting stabbing pain in my right thumb base and ache in the left one. I finally threw on braces and tried to get some sleep. Probably got three hours if that. I'm scared. I am losing control over my life. My apartment is in disarray. I'm behind because of the COPD flare, because of getting ready for Thanksgiving while going to marathon doctors' appointments and so forth. I'm so behind! I invited my dad, my niece and her kids for "Little Christmas" on the 17th. I have to clean. I have to cook. I can't live without my hands!!! So far I have managed to not need steroid injections into my thumbs for two years. Please pray in Jesus's name the pain goes down. Please pray I get the right care for this condition in a timely fashion. They have all different surgeries and even joint replacements. It's just you get put through all sorts of conservative treatment, multiple rounds of injections, first. [As an aside, it's a JOKE to try to cook with thumb braces on. I think if it gets that bad, I should get the surgery!] Anyway, please pray about that. I just can't take any more pain and problems like this! It's too much!

