And how's this for an update

Hello all my peeps,

So...it's been a crazy couple of weeks here.  Such is the life of Pam it seems as of late!

The situation with Brian and I is what it is....not fun, very tense, and he's not speaking to me about a lot of it which is going fabulously well lol.  I have little idea of his plans on moving out as far as dates are concerned etc although it'll be after 12/14.  There are friendly days and there are ice cold days.

2 weeks ago I came down with a "cold" on a Tuesday.  By Friday I realized I was getting much worse very quickly and OTC stuff wasn't working so I went to my primary doctor.  Got started on antibiotics, steroids, and inhalers and OTC stuff for bronchitis.  Didn't feel much better over the weekend, but also didn't appear to be getting worse Friday night and Saturday.  But by the Sunday before Thanksgiving  I was a patient in my own ER for bronchospasms which were causing my oxygen levels to drop a bit (92-94%...mine is generally 97-99%).  It took three nebulizer treatments back to back to break the spasms, but it did, and I honestly felt FANTASTIC when I left the ER.  I was finishing antibiotics and steroids anyway, and both the doc and I felt that the nebs were what I needed to get over the "hump" if you will and I'd be on the mend pretty quickly.  She extended my steroid use for the week "just to be sure" and I went on my merry way.  Even went to work that night as planned.

Felt great Sun and Mon and then Tuesday started feeling crappy again.  I chalked it up working a lot as usual, not sleeping well due to the stress of everything, and pushing myself in a few different directions.   I continued to go to the gym during this which, although the gym is important, probably was not giving myself a chance to heal or rest properly.

Thanksgiving eve I went to work...and in all honesty felt ok, and even tried some outside running thanksgiving morning instead of the gym.  Thanksgiving night I went back to work after celebrating the holiday with friends and declined quickly.

Despite the medications, the antibiotics, the steroids, OTC mucinex, tylenol, and motrin (yeah...motrin....I couldn't take the body aches and fevers that I was developing) I ended back up in my docs office Friday morning feeling like death warmed over.  Well....it appears it turned into pneumonia.  I had the max amount of tylenol and motrin in me at the time at the docs office and still had a fever and the shaking chills.  Got sent for an xray to confirm it, pharmacy for different antibiotics, different inhalers, and a continued course of steroids.

I honestly felt terrible Friday, Friday night, Saturday.  I think I slept from about 3pm on Friday till 8pm on Saturday with the exception of a few hours here and there to take meds and what not. 

Thankfully by Sunday I was feeling SIGNIFICANTLY better, and tonight (Tuesday) was the first night I felt really really good when I woke up.

The irony of all of this is that a week before I started on a med to stop smoking and have been at my lowest smoking amount in over a decade.  Go figure.  I'm continuing the med for the smoking cessation and should be smoke free within a week or so.

In the meantime, dad took a fall down the stairs and broke his foot and sprained his wrist in the middle of the night early this week in the middle of the night.  His wrist is really bothering him because crutching is putting strain on it and what not.  He sees the ortho this Thursday. 

BUT good news through all of it!

A)  I am sooooo happy.  Really and truly happy.  I have kept up my mostly decent eating.  Although side lined from the gym this week as per my doc, I've kept up with the exercise.  I haven't weighed myself but my clothes are getting bigger.  Just a smidge, but bigger none the less.  I'm actually quite proud of myself for that and for keeping myself first

B)  My friends, my family have been tremendous to me and I'm getting better at asking for help when I need it.  I've reached out and they've responded.  It's beautiful.  I've learned who I can count on.  Who are my friends, my confidants, my rocks, my family, my support.

C)  I got my test date for the test that I need to take for work.  12/13 (Dennis and Karen we are using our birthday luck on this one, ok???)  I'm not "very" confidant in passing.  But I have studied, I feel better than I did, and I recently did an online practice exam which supposedly mimics the exam and your results and got a passing score.

D)  I have gotten some very positive feedback from management regarding a trauma position I am very interested in taking.  It'd still be in the ER, but would be a different title.  I didn't think I had a shot in the dark at it, but it's looking more and more like I might.  This would also make a GREAT stepping stone as far as a career move is concerned.  I'm being very cautiously optimistic about it.

So there you have it.  I actually have less time at my per diem job within the next couple of weeks which will be nice.  I've also had the great opportunity to have nights off from work and be able to get together with friends and co workers I don't normally get to see, especially outside of work, and that has been awesome as well.

Family plans are in full swing for the holidays, and I'll get to see at least some of them on Christmas day.

It's gonna be a good start to 2011 :)

P

Pam this is why I love you so much you are such a fire cracker and even pneumonia cannot wrangle you. I have been worried about you and I know I have been busy with traveling and wedding stuff, but you and many others have never been far from my mind. I hope you will include me in the list of those you can count on because you can. I know I am not as close by, but I would definately drop what I am doing if you needed me. You did it for me and I would do it for you. I am so proud of you for all you are accomplishing and I know how hard divorce is, it would be easy to curl up in a ball and just shut everything out. But you are embracing the change and looking forward to a new year, I am so happy that a decrease in cigarettes is in the picture. Maybe you will inspire jason.

You are totally an inspiration and awesome!!!!!  here's to new lives and baggy clothes!

Uh DUH  you're one of the ones I count on!!!  You're my own personal therapist, remember?!  With the best rates in town I might add lol!

Thanks honey!

WEll now. SO glad that you are feeling better!

I hope that at least some of those holiday plans involve a trip to the "south side" of Easton :)

Love You!

Pam,
So sad to hear how sick you were, I hope you are all better soon.  2011 will be your year!  All the bad I pray is behind you and nothing but goodness and happiness ahead.  I met you but only once horsebackriding and found you and all the ladies (Jason too) to be such fantastic people.  I wish I lived closer to you all.  I will have to plan a road trip to meet Liz and all the other Easterner OHers at a Cooking Class Saturday real soon. 
It is a crappy rainy day here and I have been sick for 2 days.  I am taking sudafed and not doing well.  If it is no better tomorrow, I will go see the doc.
Later...
Sara

Pam, so sorry to hear you have been so sick.  You have quite a bit on your plate right now, so to speak.

Even sick, you are a tremendous inspiration to me and many others!!

Peace,

Deb 

well welcome back to the land of the living...

you have really been through the ringer lately.  I hope you listen to your body and truly do take it easy for awhile so you can heal.

Hang in there!! And kudos on the way your clothes fit, the test, the position,  and time you will be able to spend with friends and family in the near future!  

You still have my key.. don't be afraid to use it if you need to.  Now, there's a kitty here to keep you company if we are not home

Good to hear from you Pam! Divorce is a really hard thing - and you can expect ups and downs. How great that you are able to set the stage for your professional future and to draw on good friends and family for support.

Take care as you recover....it's not over till it's over, and pneumonia can be a hard thing to *really* shake!

{{hugs{{ Lynn

Well my goodness honey you certainly have had your share of it lately, haven't you. You've been on my mind a lot with your personal issues and especially at this time of year, but I kept hoping to see you post eventually. I'm so sorry to hear about your pnemonia! That sucks - but it sounds like you're finally on the mend - stress can really tear your body down, but it sounds like you're eating well and doing well with your pouch and your plan.

I've never been through a divorce and can only imagine how difficult it is still living in the same house with someone you're going through it with - will send many prayers of strength to get you through this tough time.

Please continue to take care of yourself first and foremost - also sending prayers out to your dad for a speedy recovery. When it rains, it pours, eh?!

Hugs, Kathy

Good Afternoon Pam and PA!

So sorry to hear that you were so sick but glad that you are feeling better! Divorce is a MAJOR life change, I can only imagine what you are going through. We are here for you no matter what! Good luck with the new position!

Today has been one HELL of a day!! The weather is crappy, people are driving crazy and traffic was a nightmare! I was late to work, the internet was down, a planned trip for Friday to see the Nutcracker was cancelled because the buses were somehow NOT approved, WHATEVER!?!?
Had to do lunch duty which was another nightmare! I wish I would have stayed home in bed under the covers.

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah! I would like to wish Steffi, Lisa, Ellie and anyone else I forgot a Happy and Joyous Hanukkah! Of course, Deanna will be spoiled. She thinks that she is only getting one gift a night, but i think I have enough for at least two a night! Not all the gifts were from us. Some were from friends and family...

Tomorrow is going to be ANOTHER banner day. Work, errands, picking up Dee and her two friends, dinner, brownie meeting, then drop one friend off at her house then back home for more Hanukkah presents! OY!

Can I take Friday off?

Have a great day!!
Beth