The Top10 Things You Should Do If You Test Positive For Alpha1

  • Have A List Of Questions When You See a Doctor About Your Alpha1(If you try to remember the questions you want to ask you may forget half of them)
  • Learn To Breathe Effectively
  • Limit Or Eliminate Your Alcohol Consumption
  • Don't Be Afraid To Be Proactive About Your Alpha1
  • Get Plenty Of Rest(You will likely have a higher oxygenation level)
  • Avoid Sick People(You have a lower immune system than most people)
  • Drink Plenty Of Water
  • Eat Healthy/Avoid Processed Food(Carbonated beverages)
  • Start A Careful Exercise Program/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(Your muscles will become more efficient so they won't use as much oxygen and if you have surgery you will likely recover quicker as well)
  • Stop Smoking

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Still Cancer Free....Hurray!!

I went to my 25th high school reunion Saturday night in J-ville. It got a little hot there and a couple of folks came near me with strong perfume or colgne(sp?) and my lungs tightened up. I left three hours into it. I had to use my rescue inhaler and as soon as my lungs start to open up...I was ready for a nap! It's funny how unsuspecting we are of how a simple thing like wearing perfume can effect another individuals breathing. It could be soap or hair spray, too. In my case it was perfume which as crazy as this sounds....I think of wearing perfume as a way of personal expression(at least till I realized it effected my lungs). It still think of it like a form of personal expression but, I think I can live with out it now.

I was so tired from the trek, reunion, late getting home Sunday & getting up @ 4am Monday I neglected to post about it. I had noticed a lump.....(and those of you who have been reading this blog since 2007 KNOW 7/19/2007 I had cancer surgery & got a "get out of jail free card" @ Mayo)....a few weeks ago and became very concerned about it last week. I called Mayo at 9am last Thursday to schedule an appt and they scheduled me for 8:15 am on Monday. The first dr said she was 95% sure it was a cyst but, they wouldn't know till they did the Mammogram & ultra sound. I had four cysts total and had one aspirated.

I also just read my last post and discovered...Katie, can't spell either in addition to being untrustworthy in bicycle shops & bookstores.

No comments: