I'm home!

[Clisby Williams]

Circe wrote:

>Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
>about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
>

Good grief, Barbara - go lie down with a trashy novel and let your kids
peel you
some grapes. (Welcome back!)

Clisby

>
>

[Circe]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.

First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never even
met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.

I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess in
the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.

Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from a
very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the door
between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was LIGHTNING
fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.

The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive, with
plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me a
prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!

As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it was
due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate than
he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
asthma preventively, though!

All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have a
second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Thank
you so much for caring.
--
Be well, Barbara
(Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln

This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
"Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign

What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.

[Astromum]

Circe, I am so glad to hear you are doing well! I guess your
attack made everybody realize how fragile we are and how small
the difference between life and death can actually be. I know
I gave DH and DS an extra hug when I heard the news, and I am
still reminded of it every time I swap over to am or mk*...

Today is truly the beginning of the rest of your life. Enjoy!

--
-- Ilse
mom to Olaf (07/15/2002)
TTC #2
"What's the use of brains if you are a girl?"
Aletta Jacobs, first Dutch woman to receive a PhD

[Kari]

Thank you for taking the time to let all of us know! Im glad all is well, I
have been checking the group (s) faithfully just to read updates. Take care
and get well soon!

Kari
mom to Kaylie (7) Noah (4) and #3 due Sept/Oct

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Stephen & Christine Davie]

good to hear you are home. hope you get on top of the asthma. i get it in
a mild fashion, and it aint fun.

christine

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Phoebe & Allyson]

Circe wrote:

> Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family.

We're so glad to have you back. It just wouldn't be the
same without you.

Phoebe :)

[Michelle J. Haines]

In article <%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05>, says...
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Thank
> you so much for caring.

I'm so happy and relieved that you're home safe and sound.

Michelle
Flutist

--
In my heart. By my side.
Never apart. AP with Pride!
Katrina Marie (10/19/96)
Xander Ryan (09/22/98 - 02/23/99)
Gareth Xander (07/17/00)
Zachary Mitchell (01/12/94, began fostering 09/05/01)
Theona Alexis (06/03/03)

[Larry McMahan]

Glad to head this post.

Larry

[lizzard woman]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.

I'm glad you are back home with your family. How scary!

Best regards,

--
sharon, momma to savannah and willow (11/11/94)

[New York Jen]

Barbara, it's wonderful to have you back and to hear that you're doing so
well!

- Jen

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Sara]

Circe wrote:

> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago...

Felicitations!

--
Sara, accompanied by the spit-bubble-blowing barnacle

<< I check this e-mail account infrequently >>

[Cheryl S.]

Circe > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from
> the hospital about 90 minutes ago

I am SO glad and relieved to hear that you are home again. I hope you
are resting comfortably, and that having a preventative medication plan
in place will mean that you never have such a frightening ordeal again.
There are too many people who you are too important to!
--
Cheryl S.
Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 3 mo.
And a boy, EDD 4.Sept

Cleaning the house while your children are small is like
shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing.

[Marnie]

"Circe" > wrote in message news:%dlPa.744$
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.


Wow. My impression is that you were a pretty good all of those things
already. How scary for your family ... and ultimately how brave, fortunate,
awesome. Welcome back.
--
Marnie
--

[Em]

"Circe" > wrote in message
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
<snip>

I'm so glad to read this post & know that you're home safe! Make sure to
keep taking it easy for a few more days :-)

Re: people you've never met caring about you. Even my DH was waiting to hear
"status reports" about how things were going with you, and he's never read
MKP in his life!

--
Em
edd 9/23/03

[Leslie]

Welcome back, Barbara. I am so glad to "see" you--I was so worried.

My husband takes Advair and Singulair. When we were in college he had to take
use his inhaler several times a day. Now he goes weeks without using it at
all. I hope it works as well for you.

Leslie

[Nancy P.]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>

I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well.

Nancy

[Tina]

> wrote in message news:<%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05>...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>

Barbara --

I am so happy to hear you're home and recovering! I've been very
worried, and thinking about how you really helped me about 5 years ago
when I was pregnant with Sage, and worried about Terbutaline, and
Albuterol, and everything! Thanks again! And I think that your
following paragraph has given me the shove I need to take care of
another medical problem I've got pending:

> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>

A few months ago, my younger daughter and I were diagnosed with a
bleeding disorder. She's also Failure to Thrive and has a lot of
allergy issues. So while I've been taking her to all of her
appointments and even attending workshops about kids with this
disorder, etc...., I have yet to get a referral to a hematologist for
myself, or even have the blood drawn for a categorized diagnosis. The
more I read about the disorder, the more I realize how it explains *so
many * problems I have -- but still, I just keep an eye on the kids,
the house, and all that. Well, I had a suspicious bleeding episode
this evening, but was again writing it off as not so important.

Needless to say, I'm calling my Doctor tomorrow.


>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Thank
> you so much for caring.


Thank you, Barbara. I'm so glad you're feeling better -- not least of
all because you always help everyone here to feel better and do
better!

Tina.

[Sarajoyo]

"Circe" > wrote in message news:<%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05>...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
Wonderful news! I'm so glad to hear you are home!

-Sara:)

[Denise]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.

I think I speak for everyone when I say Don't ever do that again! ;)
I'm glad your home with a new treatment plan. Grossmont's a pretty cool
hospital, huh? I've never been there for as long as you, but they've taken
pretty good care of me when I've broken bones.

[andrea]

> "Circe" wrote:
> > Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> > about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and
well-wishes.


Glad to hear you are ok. x
--
Andrea mom of -
Peter 7, Ellie 5, Alden 3, Joseph 21 mths & little munchie man Kamron 4
weeks!
Married to David since 2000.

[Night Owl]

/phew! you had us scared there... really bad! Glad you are home!

Anni (((((((((((Barbara))))))))))


"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Cheryl]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 14:52:51 -0700, "Circe" >
wrote:

>Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
>about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
I'm so glad that it's all worked out for you. It's been an
amazingly fast turn-around for you, you obviously have good health
on your side (apart from the obvious of course!) and some very good
doctors and medical staff who worked on you. Now go lie down with a
good book for while.


--
Cheryl

DS#1 (Mar 99), DS#2 (Oct 00)
DD born 30 Jul 02

[Stephanie and Tim]

Thank God you are alright. I saw aesthma and hospital and thought the worst,
breathing being fairly important.

Good luck with your new treatment!

S
"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Teri]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.

I *do* understand how you could've pushed your asthma aside in light of so
many other pressures. Let this be a lesson to all of us. ((((((hugs)))))
I'm so glad you got the chance to do right by yourself and will keep you in
prayers.
Teri
>
>

[Marion Baumgarten]

Circe > wrote:

> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.


Don't blame yourself! As an asthmatic myself (though never having had
anything like what you had!)- it's hard to know what to do. I'm on
adavair too! and singulair and albuterol a couple of times a day.

It's hard for many moms to take care of THEMSELVES!!!!!!
You're not alone.


Marion Baumgarten

[Tatjana Farkin]

I'm so glad you're back home safe and sound!

--
Tatjana
PCOS - TTC #1 for 2 years

[Kara H]

<snip>

Oh, Barbara!!! I'm *so* glad you are home! Get lots of rest, give your
children lots of hugs and relax. You really deserve it. Thank you mother for
updating us, else I would have worried even more! <g> I bet it feels so good
to be in your own home again.

Have a good rest of the week!

-Kara

[Jenn]

In article <%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05>, Circe >
writes
>Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
>about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
Hugely glad to know you're not only out of the woods, but by a nice cosy
fire at home :)
--
Jenn
UK

[Irish Marie]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>

{{{{{{{Barbara}}}}}} so glad that you are home safe and well, don't ever go
scaring us like that again! I hope we all can treat this as a wake up call
and take care of our own health along with the health of our loved ones.
Please thank your mum for keeping us updated, I don't think I could have
coped had I not known that you were on the mend as soon as she could tell
us.
Take care

--
Marie
Mum to DD5, DS3 and due #3 July '03

[Circe]

Tina wrote:
> I am so happy to hear you're home and recovering!

Thanks, Tina (and everyone else--I don't have the energy to answer
*everyone's* posts just yet, I'm afraid!).

> I've been very
> worried, and thinking about how you really helped me about 5 years ago
> when I was pregnant with Sage, and worried about Terbutaline, and
> Albuterol, and everything! Thanks again!

I'm really glad I helped you back then, Tina. It makes me happy to know that
I made a difference.

> A few months ago, my younger daughter and I were diagnosed with a
> bleeding disorder. She's also Failure to Thrive and has a lot of
> allergy issues. So while I've been taking her to all of her
> appointments and even attending workshops about kids with this
> disorder, etc...., I have yet to get a referral to a hematologist for
> myself, or even have the blood drawn for a categorized diagnosis. The
> more I read about the disorder, the more I realize how it explains *so
> many * problems I have -- but still, I just keep an eye on the kids,
> the house, and all that. Well, I had a suspicious bleeding episode
> this evening, but was again writing it off as not so important.
>
> Needless to say, I'm calling my Doctor tomorrow.
>
Good job. Do it. Don't wait. Your daughters need you.

And to everyone else who mentioned having "mild" asthma--a brief plea: take
it seriously. I would have characterized my asthma before this event as
moderate rather than mild, but I never thought of it as particularly
dangerous or life-threatening. I know better now. It's just not something to
be taken lightly. The right trigger and you can be locked up solid like I
was, not able to take a breath for love or money. It's just something you
should have checked and be sure that your medications are really keeping you
under proper control. Don't mess with it!
--
Be well, Barbara
(Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln

This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
"Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign

What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.

[Sue]

I'm am so glad to hear that you are home and okay. I was worried about you.
--
Sue
mom to three girls

Circe > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.
> --
> Be well, Barbara
> (Julian [7/22/97], Aurora [7/19/99], and Vernon's [3/2/02] mom)
> See us at http://photos.yahoo.com/guavaln
>
> This week's special at the English Language Butcher Shop:
> "Loose weight, feel great!" -- fair booth sign
>
> What does it all mean? I have *no* idea. But it's my life and I like it.
>
>

[Jenrose]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>

<sigh>
If it helps, since I found out about your attack I've been VERY good about
taking my meds. I have mild-to-moderate asthma which is EXTRAORDINARILY well
controlled with 250/50 advair, singulair and zyrtec. It is okay with just
the zyrtec and advair or just the advair and singulair, and I can often
fudge and take the medicines less often if necessary, which is tempting,
because they cost $100 per month in copays.

But I haven't been fudging since I heard about your attack The fact of the
matter is that with a cat around, and pollen, and the ubiquitous molds and
dust that surround me, I flat out MUST take my medication. Funny thing,
too--since I've been taking it regularly, I actually feel better. When I
take it consistently, I don't get that sort of sticky feeling in my chest at
the end of the day.


> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
Icky. I had a pulmonary embolism once, and that "can't breathe" feeling is
about the scariest I can imagine. Even a minor asthma attack (which is all I
usually get) is scary, and even with the embolism, the air would get into my
lungs, my lungs just wouldn't *do* anything with it once it was there.

> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
Age does seem to be a factor--one of my aunts got worse right around the age
I did, 30 in our case. And the meds are SO much better now--I used to be
sick all the time. I mean, I'd get a cold every 3 weeks. From babyhood
through the time I was about 28. Then I went on Zyrtec, which helps
immensely. When I hit age 30 and everything went to hell in a handbasket,
singulair and advair just picked up and solved the rest of it. I haven't had
a sinus infection (flonase whenever I feel stuffy) in close to a year, and
aside from a brief almost-bronchitis which went away when my advair dose was
upped, I've felt remarkably well for quite a while. I used to only be able
to work about 70-80 hours per month, because I'd get sick so often--once I
had to miss 3 weeks of work straight--very hard for a single mother! Now I
consistently work 30 hours per week by choice, and have had maybe one or two
sick days in the past year.

> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.

We're glad to have you back!

Jenrose

[She's A Goddess]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...

> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.

I'm glad to see you back and posting again. Thank goodness all turned out
well. You are such a wonderful part of all of these groups and we need you
:)

Rhiannon

[Christina]

Barbara,

so glad to hear that you are home and feeling better. Best wishes for a
speedy recovery, and take it easy around the house!

And don't ever scare us like that again ; )

Christina, lurker and infrequent poster to mk, mkb, mkp
Mom to DS, 20 months

[E]

> Circe wrote:
>
> >Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> >about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and
well-wishes.
> >
> >

Welcome back! Hope you never have to go through anything remotely
resembling that again!
Lots of well wishes!
Edith

[Amanda]

"Circe" > wrote in message
news:%dlPa.744$u51.628@fed1read05...
> Just a quick note to let everyone know that I got home from the hospital
> about 90 minutes ago and have been reading all your posts and well-wishes.
>
> First, let me say that I'm utterly humbled and *very* grateful to you all.
> It is amazing to have such an incredible network of people you've never
even
> met who are caring about you and pulling for you. I really just
> feel...humbled, maybe even a little embarrassed.
>
> I know there've been some questions as to how I got myself into this mess
in
> the first place, and the truth is, it was a bit of complacency on my part
> and some really bad luck. I've been treating my asthma symptomatically for
> years, and I knew what I was doing was not THE BEST treatment, but three
> kids and a full-time job and the thousand other medical events we've had
> 'round here (big baby heads, broken arms, etc. ad infinitum) just kept
> pushing that visit with my doctor off. And since I was not symptomatic
> often--I could go literally days without problems--and since the albuterol
> and serevent seemed to work well when I WAS having trouble, it didn't seem
> like a pressing matter. Things obviously changed Monday morning.
>
> Honestly, we don't really know what triggered this event, but I went from
a
> very mild asthma attack to feeling like someone had literally shut the
door
> between my upper airways and my lungs in under 10 minutes. It was
LIGHTNING
> fast. I had my albuterol and my nebulizer, but because I couldn't get ANY
> air into my lungs at all, they weren't helping.
>
> The plan at this point is to get me on Advair as a 2x daily preventive,
with
> plenty of albuterol as needed if I'm having trouble. I'm also scaling down
> on oral steroids and taking an antibiotic prophylactically for a few more
> days. In addition, the pulmonologist who saved my life (bless him) gave me
a
> prescription for an epi-pen. If I had had one of those on hand when this
> event started, I might have been in a bit better shape when I got to the
> hospital, since it might have opened my airways enough to allow the
> albuterol to get in and do some good. As it was, the only way to get air
> into me was to intubate me and force it in there--and believe you me, my
> lungs *know* they were forced to breathe against their will!
>
> As we've been discussing this whole event, it has occurred to us that my
> father's asthma worsened significantly when he was my age. He thought it
was
> due to having his nasal passages "roto-rootered", but given that he was
> 39-40 and I'm 39, it seems entirely possible that our asthma triggers are
> just designed to get worse at around this age. I am much more fortunate
than
> he in that there are much better medications available these days to treat
> asthma preventively, though!
>
> All things considered, I'm amazed. Monday, I was at death's door and today
> I'm home with my family. I am so incredibly blessed. And grateful to have
a
> second opportunity to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Thank
> you so much for caring.


I'm so pleased that you have recovered so quickly and are now at home. What
happened to you is so scary, I cannot begin to imagine what you were going
through. I've had a cough for a few weeks and I woke up the other night
gasping for breath twice before being able to fill my lungs, which was
pretty frightening, but not enough so that I didn't fall back to sleep
straight away.

Amanda
Mum to Adam Stephen 1 Oct 1992
Lost bubs May 1993
Stephanie Rose 10 Feb 1994
Sam Elliot 22 Dec 1998
Ttc#4 ever since.....








---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 10/07/2003

[David&Wendy]

Glad to hear all is well . Rest up and take extra care of yourself and enjoy
all your kiddies!!
wendy

"Astromum" > wrote in message
...
> Circe, I am so glad to hear you are doing well! I guess your
> attack made everybody realize how fragile we are and how small
> the difference between life and death can actually be. I know
> I gave DH and DS an extra hug when I heard the news, and I am
> still reminded of it every time I swap over to am or mk*...
>
> Today is truly the beginning of the rest of your life. Enjoy!
>
> --
> -- Ilse
> mom to Olaf (07/15/2002)
> TTC #2
> "What's the use of brains if you are a girl?"
> Aletta Jacobs, first Dutch woman to receive a PhD
>

[chiam margalit]

"Circe" > wrote in message news:<%gDPa.2608
> And to everyone else who mentioned having "mild" asthma--a brief plea: take
> it seriously. I would have characterized my asthma before this event as
> moderate rather than mild, but I never thought of it as particularly
> dangerous or life-threatening. I know better now. It's just not something to
> be taken lightly. The right trigger and you can be locked up solid like I
> was, not able to take a breath for love or money. It's just something you
> should have checked and be sure that your medications are really keeping you
> under proper control. Don't mess with it!


Barbara, glad to see you're back and breathing again. I've been out of
touch for days, so this is the first time I've gotten online and I
went searching to see how you were doing.

You're very very right about not messing with asthma. I don't have
mild asthma, I've got a fairly constant problem with it with ~monthly
episodes (having one right now, actually) of decreased ability to
breathe due to bronchospasms. I've found the people at
alt.support.asthma quite helpful when my coping skills are inhibited
by a lack of oxygen.

Like you, I'm on adviar (love that purple round inhaler) as well as
singulair, nebulized albuteral, and I take medications for my
allergies and GERD as well. I spend a fortune on monthly copays, but
breathing seems to be worth the $ spent. My rescue inhaler isn't used
often, but when I need it, I need it!

I hope you're checking your peak flows carefully and watching for
triggers. I'm glad you're able to carry and use an EPIpen. I wish I
were, but I can't because it would be more dangerous to my heart
(congenital heart defect) than not using one.

You're actually so lucky, although it probably doesn't seem like it
now, but you found out that your asthma can turn to a severe problem,
and now you know not to fool around with your daily preventative
treatment. Lots of people aren't so lucky. There were 4,487 deaths
from Asthma in the US last year (2002). Asthma is a life threatening
disease. You now know how fast it can strike and how scary it can be.

I did note that you said both your father and you developed more
symptoms at 39, which I found really interesting. I had childhood
asthma that disappeared until I was 39. It came back with such a
vengance that I didn't even know what it was, because it was so
viralunt. From clear breaths to blocked airways in a matter of
seconds. I wonder if getting close to the big 4-0 does something to
shock the system? :-)

Glad to see you made it back safe and sound.

Marjorie