Fiercely Independent Pam

Author: Pamela

  • Anxiously Waiting for Lots of Things!How Not to Go Crazy in the Meantime!

    Currently I am cooking on multiple burners- lots going on and all need my attention. I love being busy and have always found that I do better the busier I am. I am moving in lots of different directions and all are super exciting.

    Now that summertime is here, doctor’s appointments and medical stuff seems to be slowing down, which is always appreciated. I am dealing with some major GI issues and find myself having a hard time keeping food down. The GI doctor believes it may have something to do with my liver and has ordered numerous tests to look into this theory. Other than that, my appointments are finally slowing down.

    I have decided to apply for a job as a math tutor. I am not sure what will come of it and how long I will be able to keep it up, but money is tight and I need to do something. Plus there is an opportunity to get Medicaid faster if I have a job. I really need these benefits, especially the transportation allowances.

    Additionally, I am working up a business plan for Fiercely Independent Pam and have the wonderful guidance of someone who knows what she is doing. All of this is very exciting, even if I am in uncharted waters.

    Finally, Wednesday is my BIG day for my service dog. I will be welcoming a delegation from PAALS here in my community. They will be conducting a home visit/inspection as well as a community visit. The most exciting part is that they will be bringing a dog to help with these tasks. Having a dog visiting my apartment is a huge step forward in this process. I am super excited!

    So, how does my anxiety stay controlled through all of this? On a wing and a prayer! Quite literally!! I recently ordered a new bracelet that reads- “God’s Timing.” This will remind me that it is all in His name and timing, not my own. This also means believing that His timing is perfect and not to question it. My Bible in a Year podcast is helping a lot as well. It keeps me focused and is a great way to start the day each morning. I am working hard to bring the Rosary back into my prayer time as well.

    A small sticker or a service dog wearing a PAALS cape!
  • Welcome June… I’ve Been Waiting For You; Good Things Ahead!

    Welcome June… I’ve Been Waiting For You; Good Things Ahead!

    So, it’s finally June. Not that I wanted to rush my birthday month, but there is a lot going on for me in June. Medical appointments, progress on the service dog front, exciting visitors, and hopefully some time at the beach!

    Tomorrow is my first adventure for June. I am headed south to Charleston for an important appointment at MUSC. I will be receiving Botox injections in my bladder to help combat the symptoms I’ve been having. If all goes well, I will continue to get this every couple of months. While I am not looking forward to the procedure itself, I am looking forward to its results. I have heard good things from other’s that have gone down this path. Plus a road trip with my niece is always a fun adventure! I’m looking forward to catching up with her and all of her happenings.

    Next, is BIG! June 10th is a HUGE next step forward with PAALS and the process of getting a service dog. I will welcome the PAALS team (with dog in tow) to my community and apartment. They will be discovering what I need to do to get my space ready for a wet nosed, lovable, smart dog. The team and I will also be doing a community visit; we will be exploring my local grocery store while I interact with the service dog in training that will becoming to visit. After these visits, I am hoping to get my official client letter from PAALS, which will allow me to begin my fundraising and planning. Please send extra good thoughts and prayers my way for this event!

    By mid June, I will be looking forward to welcoming my dear friend and her fiancé. I am excited to spend time with both of them and hopefully get some incredible beach time in. Our only plans are to enjoy each other’s company, get tan, and enjoy the ocean breeze! There is nothing better than being able to simply pickup where you last saw a good friend(in this case its been over 5 years) and enjoy each other’s company.

    Today, in honor of all this coming, I am wearing a new t-shirt that I found- Not only is it featuring the Fraggles from Fraggle Rock, it reads- Powered by Positivity! I absolutely love it!

    There will be more doctor appointments, warm days, and exciting adventures but these are definitely the highlights I am looking forward to!

  • Asthma… The Gift That Keeps Giving!

    It’s been a hot minute since I’ve struggled with my asthma/COPD. I used to have major trouble all the time, but with my IVIG treatments and leaving situations where there were triggers (mainly black mold), my lungs usually cooperate. I am on some heavy duty meds too.

    A few days ago, I started feeling pretty crappy and not really sure what was going on. Sometimes it’s like that and I have to wait and see what “pops up.” This time it was my breathing. Full on struggle bus. wheezing and super tight chest. I broke out my inhaler, nebulizer and even spent sometime on my non-invasive vent. None of which helped enough that I felt comfortable, so to the ER I went.

    To my surprise, they actually were fairly decent about aggressively treating me and hit me with all sorts of things including: breathing treatments, iv steroids, and magnesium. They did a chest x-ray and then a chest ct to rule out any blood clots. I was there for many hours and felt comfortable enough to go home around midnight. I was sent home with higher dose steroids and antibiotics.

    If you have never high dose steroids, you are lucky. They come with a slew of side effects. For example, it’s currently 3am and I am wide awake and wishing for an entire meal to eat. Similarly, I ate more today in a day than I have for 2-3 days. It’s not pretty. The insomnia and hyperactivity is rough too. Add on nebs every 4-6 hours and you are shaking and all over the place. I am not sure how this was ever normal for me, but I appreciate the break while it lasted. At one time, I would end up in the ER overnight, get some treatments and then go to work around 7am and work a full day.

    Now, there are decisions to make. Do I contact my pulmonologist? Do I need more meds. Do I need to go back to the ER if nebs every 4 hours aren’t cutting it. Will they admit me? When will I get sleep? How will this affect the rest of my health problems?

    It’s never easy to deal with chronic illness. There always seems to be something hanging around to take you down. My best advice is to handle it, get the answers to your questions, and fight like hell. It boils down to “Don’t let the hard days win!” My mantra for living. After all, I have survived 100% of my bad days!