I know what you're thinking: "Where did that hateful little brat run off to?." Well...it's a long story.
I had to spend some time making the rounds to clinics and labs and being diagnosed for this, that n' the other to find out I have this, that n' the other which are treatable and manageable. The good news is, between GURD, a rotator cuff injury, COPD, and a few other choice items -- none of which involved a certain pernicious virus which shall be nameless, (sorry Covid, I be vaxed and boosted with Teflon, pal,) I just celebrated three years quit, and nary a craving to show for it.
The bad news is, last month, I had the AC ductwork and vents cleaned, and the Stanley Steemer clowns ended up getting dust everywhere. I regaled Google reviews with lots of photos. and a thoroughly horrible rant. The duct debris REALLY irritating my COPD, which I had been managing quite well, and I end up going into this month-long flair where I'm using my albuterol every 2 hours and having these horrible coughing jags. I slept miserably, most activities were almost impossible to do. Any irritation like the cold air in the grocery dairy section -- wound trigger a coughing fit. Things got neglected. My regular PCP was booked solid, so I finally went to go see my OLD doctor (who got me through my initial quit withdrawal,) That was what this felt like. He gave me a steroid shot and some antibiotics (amoxicillin) which was like a magic wand. So within a week I was golden again. Seriously. So here I am. Healthy as ever. Am even considering getting another bike, with my tax return. I've been feeling that good again. I have to see my PCP on the 15th then my pulmonologist in March. My old Dr. sent me home with this rescue inhaler (sample) Breztri which I like ALOT better than my Albuterol. So I'm going to ask my pulmonologist about it. One shot at the beginning of my day and I'm good to go. My Pulmonologist had loaded me up with Advair, Spiriva , and Singular (my PCP had a full allergy panel done and guess who's allergic to his cat? I have not had the heart to tell Chester yet. ) For different issues. I really have the best medical team.
I retired "officially" in October last year; worked my last FT job at Rice University in February, and by March I was hit with about 6 different health issues, including a rotator cuff injury that came out of nowhere. It was like someone flipped a switch. So my PCP ran, I think, every test and panel known to man and seemed to be on a mission to replenish the nation's blood supply from me alone. One day there were six draws. Dr. Nimby (yes, that's my PCP's real name) is nothing if not thorough. And I did the usual lab tests as well. In the end, I ended up with an ice pack and some decent paid killers, (I used them sparingly if needed by snapping the little buggers in half, so as not to end up in a goofy haze and walking naked in traffic,) three different kinds of inhalers, and am feeling much improved. Things are manageable and my medical team tells me I'm doing great. In fact, my last visit to the pulmonologist she asked if I was exercising and when I said not really, aside from some yardwork, somewhat insisted I start planning to get back on the bike. We'll see. It would be a joy to get back in the saddle.
I will ty to post more often.
Ever gratefully,
A.
