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Preface: This is a LONG post, so grab yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine and sit back for a read.

Part One: The Happening

On Wednesday, October 14th, at about 4:30 PM, I walked five blocks from my apartment to the Jefferson Hospital Urgent Care facility and had to stop three times to catch my breath because I could hardly breathe and could not stop coughing. And after the doctor on staff took one look at my lung x-rays he walked into the room where I had been sitting, and with a very serious demeanor and panicked expression in his eyes said, "Mr. Carnavil, from your x-rays I can see that your entire left lung is filled with fluid.There is also a dark mass at the base of the lung which is very concerning. I won't even allow you to walk to the ER, I'm calling the paramedics so that they can drive you there. You are a very sick man and this is extremely serious."

I just sat there and blinked in shock. I immediately thought, "Holy shit, I've got lung cancer."

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The rest of that afternoon and night were pretty much what I guess many people experience when suddenly whisked into ER and the doctors and nurses are desperately trying to figure out what's wrong with them. I was examined and questioned over and over again; many being the same questions from different specialists. I also had many (and I mean MANY) tubes of blood drawn from my veins in the hopes that it would detect why I was so sick, why I was coughing, and what had caused my lungs to fill with fluid.

I laid in the hospital bed thinking I was dreaming and would wake up and the nightmare would be over. The only other time I had been in a hospital for an illness was when I was 6-years old for a tonsillectomy, so I was apprehensive and frightened. Yet it's odd, because I didn't stay frightened for long. Somehow I knew that I would be okay and was in good hands. I also knew that freaking out about being sick and in the hospital wouldn't make it any easier to handle. This was one of those situations in life where there wasn't a damn thing I could do to change it. I just had to accept it by staying in the moment; taking one moment at a time and not jumping ahead to what my fearful imagination was conjuring up as being the worst thing possible.

This was one of those situations in which I was out of control and I hate being out of control. But there was nothing I could do except keep the faith that no matter what was wrong with me, I would be taken care of. And oddly enough, once I accepted that, I felt much calmer. I could sense that this experience not only had to do with the physical, but also (and even more so) with lessons I needed to learn about things beyond the physical.

Allow me to quickly interject here that I was in the hospital for 14 days. Yes, you heard me correctly, TWO weeks. That's how long it took the team of doctors who worked on me to figure out what was wrong. They could see that I had a very bad infection in my lung (and eventually discovered that it was not cancer), but they couldn't figure out where the infection came from and how it got there. I literally had a sonogram on all the major organs of my body. I also had several CAT scans. And from what all the test results revealed, outside of my lungs, the doctors could find nothing else abnormal.

Their immediate concern, however, was to remove the infectious fluid from my lungs so that I could breath properly again. Therefore, I was scheduled for a lung drain the following morning. That night I was transferred to ICU and was closely cared for by a group of very kind and compassionate nurses. I was literally hooked up to every machine you could imagine. I had an oxygen mask on my face to help me breathe, I was also hooked up to a heart and lung monitor. I had two IV's (one in each arm) - one that administered two very strong antibiotics, and the other was just in case I needed painkillers. I was given morphine once, but not for pain because I really wasn't in any pain. However, I was given a small dose of morphine by one of the nurses to help halt my chronic cough so that I could sleep. And it worked. Bless that nurse!

Backstory:

I suppose you're all wondering, "Ron, when the hell did all this start and why didn't you go to a doctor before it got so bad?"

That's a good question.

It all started in August when I got that really bad flu, remember? Well, the coughing part of the flu never went completely away - it would return and then go away for a few weeks; then return. And because I felt better, I never concerned myself with going to a doctor because I thought that the cough might have something to do with an allergy. So many people I talked to and work with had been coughing and sneezing throughout late summer and early fall, and said it was allergy's. So, I thought I had developed an allergy. Or perhaps the start of asthma.

Then, it was during the end of September I started to notice that not only was I coughing, but other weird things were happening. Like my taste buds were out of whack because I couldn't taste food properly. Also, coffee and wine tasted horrible so I stopped drinking them. My whole body felt "off" and I began to quickly lose weight and developed swollen hands and feet. I also had a hard time breathing and would get easily winded if I walked too far. And although I didn't miss a day of work, I was very tired and wanted to do nothing but sleep all the time - and that is SO not like me. During this time I took a lot of natural herbs, vitamins and holistic remedies, which helped, but they didn't completely cure me of whatever was wrong.

Then, on the afternoon of October 14th, I decided that I needed to get myself to a doctor and find out what was going on because it was getting very scary. I felt completely disconnected from my body.

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The following morning, I was wheeled down to the respiratory unit of the hospital where I had my very first lung drain. And although it sounds painful, it didn't hurt at all. I don't know what kind of drugs they used to numb me, but they were faaaaaaabulous! I wasn't asleep during the procedure, I was totally awake and conscious yet, I was relaxed, carefree, and completely void of any pain. The procedure took about 30 minutes. And after it was done, I could instantly breathe better, felt better, and was suddenly very hungry. So when I got back to my hospital room, the nurse on duty asked if I wanted some breakfast and I said, "Yes...I'm starving." I ate scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, orange juice and coffee.

But even though I felt better after having the initial fluid drained from my lungs, the drain had to stay inside my body until all the fluid had been completely removed, which took many, many days. I had a tube that ran from the left side of my rib cage, down to a plastic reservoir that held all the fluid. So that whenever I had to use the rest room or walk around, I had to carry the plastic reservoir with me.

Everything was going very well until about the forth day, when my doctor informed me that although the drain was working, he noticed from one of my recent x-rays that there was a pocket of fluid on the upper part of my left lung that was not being drained; therefore they would have to go back and put in a second one. So the following day I was scheduled for another drain procedure.

All in all, after the two draining procedures, a liter and a half of fluid had been cleared from my left lung. And after doing some tests and closely examining the fluid, the doctors finally figured out that the infection in my lung was caused from an infection that came from my mouth when I had a tooth abscess last winter. Apparently, the infection traveled down to my lungs and harbored itself there until I got sick last August with the flu and then blew up.

Throughout the following days and week, I got much, much better. In fact, my doctor and attending nurses were so surprised that I responded so well to the treatment. My doctor even admitted to me one day that when he first took on my case and saw what I initially looked like, he was very frightened for me and thought I would need invasive surgery to heal my lung.

And as I got progressively healthier and stronger, I was given a hospital release date of October 28th. However, I was told that I would still need follow-up x-rays and appointments with my doctor, just to make sure I continued to heal. Additionally, I would have to stay on antibiotics for four more weeks to be sure the infection was completely out of my system.

So here I am today, after having seen my doctor for a second visit since getting out of the hospital and got a rave review. In his words, "Ron...you look better and healthier every time I see you!"

Next Monday will be my third and final appointment with my doctor.

Yahoooooooooooo!

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Epilogue:

I learned SO MUCH from this experience. And in my next and conclusive post, I will share what that is.

Have a super week everyone!

And to all my American blogging friends...have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!
X


54 comments:

  1. OMG Ron, how awful for you. Fluid on the lungs is no laughing matter, until it's cured that is, THEN you can laugh. It must have been a frightening experience but it sounds as though you coped really, really well. Aren't doctors and nurses wonderful? I have had cause to witness their brilliance during the last few years.


    It's great that you seem to be your old self again, although please note I'm not putting emphasis on the 'old' ... lol ... even if you did sneak a birthday in while you were indisposed!!

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  2. Holy cow, Ron! What an awful experience! Thank God you went to that urgent care place when you did. This is a good lesson for all of us to not ignore symptoms. I'm so glad that you've made a full recovery and that you have had such excellent care. And I'm amazed that they were able to trace back that infection. Crazy!

    Take it easy and have a relaxing holiday week, my friend. Now I'm worried you are working Friday!

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  3. WOW! That sure is a major happening. TWO weeks in the hospital must have been rough my friend, but thank goodness you were taken there and treated well and thoroughly! I'm so soooo glad that you are better now and getting rave reviews from the doc. I hope when you're discharged finally on Monday that you have many, many long healthy years ahead and no more happenings like that… ever! {HUG}

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  4. I am speechless Ron!! I had absolutely no idea that you were so sick!! I am very glad to hear that you have healed and are on your way to being back to your healthy self again!! What a frightening experience!! Having asthma, I experience all kinds of interesting breathing issues, but thank God I have never had a dr. tell me that there was a mass there. I would have passed out. No wonder you were frightened!! I sure do hope that you are feeling much better!! Talk about a dedicated worker...you never even missed work! WOW!! Maybe you should start wearing a mask during the holidays...there are SO many people walking around with germs!! RELAX and take it easy whenever you are not at work...I think rest would be good for you right now. SO glad to hear you are ok my friend!! xo Jeanne

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  5. OMG, Ron. I have only now peeled my fingers off my coffee mug handle and realized I was squeezing my computer mouse that whole read. I'm so happy this turned out to be something resolvable, but sorry to hear it took so long to fix. See, this is why dental care should be treated exactly like medical care, because it can turn MEDICAL and really f*ck you up! God, Ron. You had me on the edge of my seat. I can see how this experience had a powerful effect on you. Just don't go having an other one, OK. Be boring and quiet and uneventful, seriously. You have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a good last doctor visit on Monday!!!


    xoxo
    Kathy

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  6. Holy crap, that is scary! I'm glad it turned out to be something fixable.

    Reminds me of a story I heard from someone about a guy inhaling a pine tree seed and months later having a small pine tree removed from his lung...

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  7. Oh, God, Ron, I'm so terribly sorry! What a horrible experience! My mother suffered from lung disease all her life and parts of this post seemed all too familiar. I'm so happy that you pulled through. And I really admire how you got your emotions under control:

    " I
    just had to accept it by staying in the moment; taking one moment at a time and
    not jumping ahead to what my fearful imagination was conjuring up as being the
    worst thing possible."



    This is such important way of handling life. The imagination is capable of creating great beauty and terrible nightmares and it's up to us to get a handle on it. Sounds like you did a great job!


    Once again, I'm sorry you had to go through this ordeal I spent a few days in the hospital last November and that was terrible. Two weeks sounds like hell on earth.


    Take care of yourself, buddy---seriously! And I am giving thanks this year that you are on the mend! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. OMG Ron, I reacted the same way as Kathy did. I sat here at my desk and was riveted to my computer screen reading your words. And I'm so glad this story had a positive ending. How horrible that must have been for you. I don't like hospitals at all, so I can't imagine being there for two weeks. It sounds like you had a very good team of doctors and nurses. And that's wonderful!


    I am so happy to read that you're doing well and healing quickly. Just be sure to continue to take care of yourself and rest up when you can.


    I'm looking forward to your next post to find out all that you learned from this experience. Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Day, Ron X

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  9. OMG and holy shit, what a SCARY thing to go through, Ron! I was on the edge of my seat reading this post. You really know how to write.


    I am so glad, happy, relieved and grateful that you came through this experience and are doing so well. I always learn so much from you, so I look forward to your conclusive post and what you share about what you learned.


    Stay well, dude! And Happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. Ron, how frightening! Hospitals and being sick are scary enough, but having to go through something like that ALL by yourself must have added to the scariness. My late dad had COPD, so I'm familiar with the fluid-on-the-lungs that you've described. You're very wise to be in touch with your body, to know something wasn't right, and then to address it!

    Thank you for explaining your experience so carefully. We all need to remember that even minor illnesses can sometimes reach back across the years to bite us in new and icky ways!

    I'm thrilled you're on the road to mending -- this world would be a sadder place without you in it, my friend. Take care and keep doing what you need to, to improve. And have a lovely Thanksgiving! xoxo

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  11. I am so sorry you went through this ordeal, but thrilled you've recovered. Having worked for a dentist for nine years I've seen the damage an abscessed tooth can do to a body. I'm glad they found the source so they were better able to treat/heal you. Take care.

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  12. Ron, I had been thinking of you a lot lately. I checked your blog, and you hadn't had any current posts. I immediately thought you were up to your eye balls busy. I NEVER thought you were in the hospital! My goodness!!
    I can totally relate to being in control. I have to talk myself out of freaking out when something happens and I have no control. But that self-talk does help.
    You have such faith and I believe a good mental state helps aid our physical body.
    I'm SO glad you're okay!
    I've missed you something fierce.
    A lot going on in my world! lol.
    But I guess that's nothing new!
    (((HUGS))

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  13. Wow Ron....and first of all, I DIDN"T guess correctly what was wrong, thought you might have had a heart attack actually.


    I don't know what would have been worse but I AM SO glad that you had a good group of health workers (THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE) and that they did come to the right conclusion what was actually wrong.


    I am so sorry you had to go through this ordeal, but it sounds like you are coming out of it, healthy and strong, that's great!!!


    Have they any idea how this happened to you? A virus, some airborne contaminant? I can only imagine how scary this must have been for you.


    Here's to health!!! I'm so glad you're getting better and better by the day. Take care, G

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  14. WOW, Ron. I knew you had some big news...didn't now it was going to be this big! Your experience was similar to mine...feeling "off" and rapidly losing weight...and we both ended up with something potentially deadly. I'm so glad you are feeling better now and things weren't more serious for you. We need you around for a good long time still, okay? Who else will I poke fun at with his distaste for Philly cheesesteaks??

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  15. Hello there Valerie!

    You know, when they told me I had fluid in my lungs it made sense to me because a few days prior to going into the hospital, I started to cough up a lot of phlegm and liquid. So I guess the fluid was trying to come out via coughing. At one point, I even saw a bit of blood in my phlegm. THAT"S when I got really scared.

    "Aren't doctors and nurses wonderful? I have had cause to witness their brilliance during the last few years."

    Yes they are :) In fact, after I left the hospital, I sent in a letter to the hospital thanking the doctors and nurses for being so kind and helpful to me. I felt so blessed to have had them working on me because they literally saved my life.

    "It's great that you seem to be your old self again, although please note I'm not putting emphasis on the 'old' ... lol ... even if you did sneak a birthday in while you were indisposed!!"

    HA! Aw...thank you, dear lady. And it feels so great to BE like my old self again.

    Have a super week and thanks a bunch for stopping by!

    X to you and Joe

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  16. "Thank God you went to that urgent care place when you did. This is a good lesson for all of us to not ignore symptoms."

    Yes, meeeeee too! And you're right, we shouldn't ignore symptoms. I think if I had gone to the doctor earlier, my lungs would not have gotten so bad. I just thank God that I had good doctors and nurses who knew what to do, which literally saved my life.

    " And I'm amazed that they were able to trace back that infection. Crazy!"



    Yes, isn't that something? My doctor was bound and determined to figure out HOW and WHERE I got the infection. And he did.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving Day! And yes, I'll be working Friday!


    X

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  17. Hello there Mary!


    OMG...two weeks in the hospital WAS rough; especially the last few days because I was SO ready to get out of there. However, I also knew that I needed to be there to get well, so I put myself into a mindset that I was at a health spa and on a retreat of rest and relaxation. I had a very nice (single) room in the hospital. which had a big window that overlooked the city, so I felt very blessed for that. Also, the nurses to tended to me were sooooooo awesome!


    Thanks a bunch for stopping by and for your well wishes, my friend. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!


    X

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  18. Hiya Jeanne!

    That's another reason why I didn't blog much over the summer and early fall, not only was I uninspired, but I was also dealing with this illness.

    "Having asthma, I experience all kinds of interesting breathing issues, but thank God I have never had a dr. tell me that there was a mass there. I would have passed out."



    I almost DID pass out because I was thinking I had cancer.


    And yes, I'm feeling MUCH better. OMG...I can't believe HOW MUCH better I feel than over the summer. I've got my energy back and can breath again. Yahoooo!


    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!


    X to you and the girlz

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  19. Helloooooo there Kathy!

    "I'm so happy this turned out to be something resolvable, but sorry to hear it took so long to fix.

    Thank you and me too. I was very scared when the first doctor at the Jefferson Urgent Care facility told me about the mass he saw in my x-ray because I immediately thought...lung cancer!

    "See, this is why dental care should be treated exactly like medical care, because it can turn MEDICAL and really f*ck you up!"

    You are soooooooo right! And this experience taught me that.

    " Just don't go having an other one, OK. Be boring and quiet and uneventful, seriously."



    HA! Will do, my friend! I've actually been taking very good care of myself over these past four weeks, by resting, eating well, exercising and getting a lot of sleep.


    Much thanks for stopping by and have a Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving Day!


    XOXO back at you!

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  20. Hiya Mitch!

    Thank you, my friend :) Me too. I feel very blessed that it turned out the way it did and had such great medical care while in the hospital because the doctors and nurses were WONDERFUL.

    "Reminds me of a story I heard from someone about a guy inhaling a pine tree seed and months later having a small pine tree removed from his lung..."


    YIKES!


    Thanks a bunch for stopping by and have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!


    X

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  21. Hiya Rob!

    You know, most of my life I've had such great health without any really serious issues, however, this scared the hell out me because I wasn't used to be sick; much less in a hospital for two weeks.

    "The imagination is capable of creating great beauty and terrible nightmares and it's up to us to get a handle on it."

    You are so right. And I had to stop myself from allowing my mind to run wild with fearful imaginings. Once I got a grip and surrendered to what was going on, I felt much calmer and stronger to actually deal with it.

    "Two weeks sounds like hell on earth."



    The first week wasn't so bad, however, when it got into the second week...I was so ready to get out of there and home. But I have to say, the nurses were so nice and supportive to me that it made it a much more bearable experience.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a great week and an AWESOME Thanksgiving Day!


    X

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  22. Hola Denise!

    Aw... thank you, girl. I'm glad this story had a positive ending too because I was scare shitless when I got to the hospital and heard what the first doctor said about my lung x-rays. YIKES!

    And yes, I don't like hospitals either, which is why I started to freak out a bit at the beginning.

    The nurses and doctors were WONDERFUL! And I will be sharing more about them in my next post.

    "Just be sure to continue to take care of yourself and rest up when you can."



    Will do!


    Thanks so much for stopping by and have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!


    X

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  23. Hiya Matt!


    Thank you, buddy. I too was very scared when I first got to the hospital and heard what the doctors were saying to me about the fluid in my lungs. But I was/am so incredibly grateful for all the care they (and the nurses) gave me because they literally saved my life.


    Happy Thanksgiving Day to you too! And thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  24. Hiya Debbie!

    "but having to go through something like that ALL by yourself must have added to the scariness"

    Yes, it did at first, however, after I calmed down and accepted what was going on, I realized that I was not alone. And I will explain more about what I mean by that in my next post.

    "My late dad had COPD, so I'm familiar with the fluid-on-the-lungs that you've described."

    I've heard of COPD and know that it's a very challenging lung issue. I read something about it in my doctors office because he's a pulmonary specialist.

    " that even minor illnesses can sometimes reach back across the years to bite us in new and icky ways!"



    Yes, that's right, it can. And through this experience, I learned that.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. And for your sweet and kind words.


    ((((((((((( You )))))))))))


    Wishing you and your family a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!


    X

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  25. Hiya Suzi! Thank you, my friend.

    "Having worked for a dentist for nine years I've seen the damage an abscessed tooth can do to a body. I'm glad they found the source so they were better able to treat/heal you."



    Me too. And that's right, I forgot you worked for a dentist at one time.


    I feel VERY blessed that I had such a wonderful group of doctors and nurses who cared for me because they literally saved my life.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving Day!


    X

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  26. Helloooooooooooo there Pam! OMG...it is soooooooooooo great to see you, my friend!

    Yes, I didn't post any updates for most of the summer and early fall because not only was I not feeling well (and in the hospital), but I also needed a break from blogging because I temporarily lost my inspiration. And I'm glad I took the break because he reenergized me and got my creative mojo back.

    "I believe a good mental state helps aid our physical body."



    Yes, I believe the same thing, which is why I tried to stay mentally positive through this experience. And I have to say, it DID help. A LOT.


    Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know that you're still in the blog world. I will stop by your blog tomorrow to catch up with you.


    HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family!


    (((((((((((( YOU ))))))))))

    X

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  27. Hello there Geraldine!

    "I DIDN"T guess correctly what was wrong, thought you might have had a heart attack actually."

    Actually, you were not wrong at all because my doctor said that with the condition my lungs were in and my lack my breathing, he was shocked that I didn't end up having a heart attack.

    "I AM SO glad that you had a good group of health workers (THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE) and that they did come to the right conclusion what was actually wrong."

    OMG....meeeeeeeeee too! You have no idea how BLESSED I feel to have had the doctors and nurses I did because they literally saved my life. And this is something that I will be sharing about on my next blog post.

    And yes, compared to four weeks ago...I feel FABULOUS! I've gained much of my weight back too, which I am very happy about because I couldn't afford to lose weight, I'm a thin man to begin with. I also feel more energetic.

    "Have they any idea how this happened to you? A virus, some airborne contaminant?"



    Yes, they said that it came from an infection in my mouth (a tooth abscess from last year) which got into my lungs and harbored itself there until I got the flu last August, which made the infection blow up.


    Thanks so much for stopping by and for your well wishes, my friend. Have a great week and weekend!


    X

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  28. Hey there Mark!

    "Your experience was similar to mine...feeling "off" and rapidly losing weight...and we both ended up with something potentially deadly."

    Yes, I thought the EXACT same thing because I remembered what YOU went through this year with your diabetes.

    "I'm so glad you are feeling better now and things weren't more serious for you. We need you around for a good long time still, okay? Who else will I poke fun at with his distaste for Philly cheesesteaks??"



    HAHAHAHAHA! Aw... thanks, buddy. And me too, I am so glad I'm feeling better. I don't think I realized how sick I was until I felt like myself again.


    Thanks so much for stopping by and have a faaaaaaaabulously Happy Thanksgiving Day!


    X to you and Tara

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  29. Glad you're on the mend Ron, it must have been a scary experience.

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  30. Hey there Dale!

    Thank you :) And yes, this is one experience I'm so glad to put behind me.

    Have a faaaaaaaaaabulous weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  31. I screamed when I read this! I can hardly believe you were so sick while I was there is September and you were dancing around the Sephora showroom. I'm so grateful you got to the hospital when you did and they were able to heal your lung. I had to share your post on FB, it's been such a weird day to read this and another post from a friend sharing her news about having stage 4 breast cancer. I can barely process it all. Love you <3

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  32. Hey there Laurel! It's so great to see ya! I think you came to visit me in July, not September. And I wasn't sick then. I got the flu in August.

    "I'm so grateful you got to the hospital when you did and they were able to heal your lung."

    Thank you, and me too! I got such great care at the hospital. The doctors and nurses were AWESOME. They literally saved my life.

    So sorry to hear about your friend. I will send "positive" vibes her way that she does well with the treatment and heals.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my dear friend. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

    ((((((((( You ))))))))))

    X ya!

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  33. Hey Ron! Hope you are continuing to feel better and better each day!! Stopping by to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  34. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comThursday, November 26, 2015

    Oh no - what a horrible experience! So glad you're now on the mend.

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  35. What? I feel like I was just there! I hope I don't lose my mind before christmas. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, love and miss you!!

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  36. HA! I know, Laurel, doesn't time just FLY? I checked my calendar back in July and you were here from July 9th until the 12th.

    Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving day. The weather was gorgeous here so I spent almost the whole day outside enjoying it!

    X

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  37. Hello there Fiona!


    Yup, it was horrible. And an experience that I'm glad is behind me. :)


    Thank so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!
    X

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  38. Aw...thank you, Jeanne :) You're such a sweetheart.

    I had a faaaaaabulous day today. The weather was gorgeous, so I spent most of it outside savoring it. I also allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted today, which means I ate a lot of anything that was pumpkin flavored - pie, muffins, bread, etc. I LOVE anything pumpkin flavored.

    Hope you had a terrific day too!

    X

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  39. Ron, I stopped by to say that I hope you had a happy thanksgiving day yesterday. I know you're most likely working today with it being Black Friday. I'll be thinking of you!
    X

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  40. Hola Denise! Yes, I had a faaabulous Thanksgiving Day :) The weather was just perfect so I spent most of day outside enjoying it. Hope you had wonderful holiday too!

    And yes, I'm just about ready to head into work today (BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!) Pray for me - HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl!
    X

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  41. That is truly a scary story. And it reinforces my belief that our bodies, while amazing, can be extremely vulnerable under certain circumstances. I see what you mean about this being your Ah-Hah moment. It will probably impact how you view everything from now on. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Last year, nothing showed on the mam....now there's an aggressive stage 3 tumor. We just never know how much time we have in this life, which is the driving motivation behind a lot of my posts. I pray God continues to heal and strengthen your body and mind. And what a blessing to have such skilled medical care! I don't advocate being dependent on a lot of medication, but sometimes, better living through chemistry is necessary. Glad to hear you're back to the old Ron....or is it the new and improved Ron? PS: please don't work yourself into such a dangerous mess in the future! ;-)

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  42. Hey there Lisa!

    " I see what you mean about this being your Ah-Hah moment. It will probably impact how you view everything from now on."

    Yes, I absolutely agree, it will. As challenging as this experience was, it taught me so much. And for that I am grateful.

    So sorry to hear about your friend. I will be sure to send prayers her way. And you're right, we never know how much time with have in this life.

    Yes, I felt so blessed in having such skilled medical care. In fact today, which was my last check up appointment with my doctor, I told him how much a appreciated his awesome medical (and compassionate) medical care.

    "Glad to hear you're back to the old Ron....or is it the new and improved Ron? PS: please don't work yourself into such a dangerous mess in the future! ;-)"

    Ha! It's a bit of the old Ron AND the new and improved Ron!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!
    X

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  43. I knew it I knew it I knew it. It just wasn't RIGHT... I was nervous for you for a while. And sure enough... you were having a horrible terrible scary painful time. I am overjoyed you are better. How scary. And get this, Ron. My son has had a cough for a while. Was put on an antibiotic. Felt better. Then his face began to swell a few weeks ago. He went to the dentist and sure enough, has an infection where his wisdom teeth are - there is a fold of skin over one and the infection is underneath. He has been on antibiotics but HIS COUGH IS NOT GETTING BETTER. I was concerned and then read your post. I told David about it. He has a tooth filling Friday and will have been off the antibiotic a few days. I told him he HAS to tell the dentist about his cough and why. You might have helped my oldest to NOT go through this. I never would have connected the two.

    THANK GOD YOU ARE OK.

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  44. Hey there Katherine!

    Yes, I could sense that you knew something was up with my health, but I didn't really confide in anyone about what was going on ( even my own brother) because I wasn't exactly sure WHAT was wrong with me because I would feel ill for a few days, but then it would suddenly change and then I would feel better.

    I am so glad I went to the hospital when I did because it was getting to the point where I could tell it was serious because I could hardly breathe.

    "You might have helped my oldest to NOT go through this. I never would have connected the two."

    I didn't connect the two either, but my doctor and the oral surgeon said that many health issues in the body are caused by issues in the teeth and gums.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fab week!
    X

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  45. Hi Ron,
    I am sorry to read that you were so ill.
    This condition sounded very serious and scary. I hope that you are feeling much better. It is also so nice that you had such good care at the hospital. Now, give yourself lots of self-love and self-care. Pamper yourself!!
    Sometimes, each of us is so busy taking care of one's job or other people that we don't take care of number one. I have done that in the past.


    I am sending love and good cheer!!
    X

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  46. lord to the mercy, this scared the crap out of me! ron, i can't believe you went through all of this and wow, man. an infection from your tooth. i heard that could happen, but always said oh that never happened to anyone and how bad could that be. wow. i'm so glad they were able to treat you and that you are feeling better.


    love ya!

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  47. Hiya Barb!

    Yes, it was scary because I've pretty much had excellent health most of my life, so I wasn't used to being in a hospital or that ill.

    And I feel sooooooooooo blessed that I had the medical staff that I did because not only were they good at their jobs, but they were also very kind and loving. They were such a GREAT group of people. And after I got released from the hospital, I sent a letter to them know how much I appreciated them.

    "Sometimes, each of us is so busy taking care of one's job or other people that we don't take care of number one. I have done that in the past."



    Yes, you are absolutely right.


    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!


    ((((((((((((((((((( You ))))))))))))))))

    X

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  48. Hey there Val!

    " an infection from your tooth. i heard that could happen, but always said oh that never happened to anyone and how bad could that be."

    Yes, I had heard that could happen to, but never dreamed it would happen to me.

    " i'm so glad they were able to treat you and that you are feeling better.


    Aw...thank you. And me too. I feel so incredibly blessed that I had the team of doctors and nurses on my case because they were EXCELLENT. And not only good at their jobs, but also very kind and loving.


    Have a super weekend, girl. And thanks so much for stopping by!


    (((((((((((((((( You )))))))))))))))
    X

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  49. Oh my word Ron! That was one scary time for you. Having been through a similar experience a couple of years ago, I can liken all of your feelings with my own - Fear, followed by a calm knowing that I was being well looked after and whatever the outcome I would be looked after. I am so glad that the outcome was also similar to mine, in that the doctors and visiting nurse were amazed at my recovery! I am thrilled that you are feeling so well now.

    We drift so slowly into these things that we don't realize how ill we actually feel until we are treated and better. The contrast shows us how unwell we have been for many months previously.

    So glad you are all better now!

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  50. Hello there Babs! It is so great to see ya!

    I think I remember the similar experience you had a couple of years ago because you spoke of it on your blog; therefore, I know you know exactly what my feelings were. I also remember you sharing about how well-taken care of your were by the doctors and visiting nurse while in the hospital. And didn't that make recovery for much easier? I feel very blessed to have had the medical team I did.

    "We drift so slowly into these things that we don't realize how ill we actually feel until we are treated and better. The contrast shows us how unwell we have been for many months previously."

    Yes, I agree! And I couldn't have expressed that any better.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope is all is well with you and Mo, and that you're enjoying the holiday season!

    X to you and Mo

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  51. Oh, that really does sound frightening. I'm so glad you got to a peaceful place pretty quickly and were in such good hands. That makes a HUGE difference.

    I remember when I was waiting for my pathology results when I had cervical cancer, to see if it had spread into my uterus. It hadn't, thank goodness, but I appreciated my surgeon calling me as soon as they were in to let me know. And I also had that same sense of being taken care of by skilled, kind people and trusting they'd do whatever they could to get me well.

    Sorry for the long delay in getting to this, but I wanted to wait until I had time to read it properly.

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  52. Thank you, me too. It was really something because as soon as I started to get upset, fearful, and felt out of control, I quickly sensed a knowingness inside that everything was going to be okay and that I would be well-taken care of medically and spiritually. And I was. But that this was something I was going to learn things from. And I did.

    The medical team was AMAZING, and I am so grateful to them.

    "I remember when I was waiting for my pathology results when I had cervical cancer...."



    Gosh, in as long as you and I have been blogging together, I had no idea you had gone through cervical cancer. And I am so happy to hear that you too were well-taken care of skilled and kind people. You're right, it makes a HUGE difference.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. And no apologies needed, I totally understand.

    X

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  53. Oh dear Ron! This episode sounds so much like my pleural effusion (which is fluid trapped in the outer layer of your lung, so it sits on your lung, compressing it so it is painful & hard to get a good breath)! I spent 5 days in the hospital on heavy duty antibiotics for double pneumonia & a pleural effusion, then another week at home on heavy duty antibiotics. During my follow up the hospital doc noted the effusion was not getting any smaller as they had hoped from just the antibiotics. As hubby & the doc discussed all the pros & cons of trying more antibiotics or draining the fluid, I sat quietly trying to get a good breath in. When the doc finally asked my opinion, I stated I was having trouble breathing now, what might happen if he sent me home (over 300 kms. to the bush where I lived) with more antibiotics & they still didn't work? We decided to drain the fluid off through my back.
    At this time, the hospital I was in was consolidating with the only other hospital in the community & some of their supplies were at 1 hospital & some at the other. Needless to say the draining kit wasn't at the hospital where I was, so the doc jerry rigged a way to make it work. He put some freezing in my back & then had me lean on a pillow over the bedside table. Then he stuck a very large syringe into my back til he hit the sack of fluid. He would draw off a syringe of fluid, dump it into a large beaker & then do the whole thing again. It took about 25 mins. to get a litre of fluid off my back. After each syringe of fluid was removed, I remember I could breathe a little easier. He only stopped when I developed a muscle spasm so bad in my back I could no longer sit still & he was satisfied he had gotten the majority of the fluid out. Then, bless his heart, he massaged the area of the muscle spasm until it passed!
    I believe this is the first indication I had of COPD. I had had pneumonia before but never this bad - mostly I had been told I had "walking pneumonia." When the hospital doc asked me if I'd ever had pneumonia before & I told him about walking pneumonia, he said, "Well, this time you have laying in a hospital bed on IV antibiotics, pain killers & oxygen for about a week pneumonia!" LOL

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  54. " my pleural effusion (which is fluid trapped in the outer layer of your lung, so it sits on your lung, compressing it so it is painful & hard to get a good breath)!"


    Yes, that is pretty much exactly what happened to me. The doctors think I had been walking around with pneumonia all summer, but didn't realize it. But they could tell (from testing the fluid in my lungs) that the infection was due to an abscess I had in one of my teeth that moved into my lungs.


    Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Benze. Hope you're feeling much better, my friend!


    X

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