October 2006
This birthday thing comes around too quick,I'm 41 now.Only another 24 years until I retire,lol.
I've been discussing vents with one of my consultants and I've been to the hospital to have my blood gases checked,which involves just a pin prick to the ear lobe to gather some blood for testing. I'm just glad it wasn't an arterial blood gas check because that hurts!
I am seriously considering a vent now when needed,if the powers that be let me. I know I said before that I didn't want to go back in hospital and I still don't unless it's necessary for my survival. Anyway we'll see how it all pans out.
I still spend much of my time on the internet looking at MND research articles and talking to my friends on the forums. If I'm not on the computer I'm usually watching tv or a film,occasionally we'll have a trip out in the van,if the weather is good. Mind you,winter is upon us now so I'll be staying in more.
By the way,I'm going to be a grandad in January,my daughter Sam is expecting a baby.
November 2006
I've had my flu injection (and no,I didn't pass out),mind you I was lay on my bed at the time. I had it when the nurse came to change my trache,so hopefully we shall be free of flu this winter.
The results were normal for my blood gases test,which means my oxygen and carbon dioxide in my blood were within acceptable levels. So there's no need for ventilatory assistance at the moment,which is very good news. I thought my breathing was a lot worse than it obviously is,as my breathing is quite shallow and I am having symptoms of CO2 retention (morning headaches and daytime sleepiness),but I must put my trust in the doctors. I do tend to panic a bit about my breathing so,on the advice of my GP,we've increased my daily dose of Prozac(fluoxetine) from 40mg to 60mg.
Well it will soon be Christmas again so have a good one and take care out there.
December 2006
We spent Christmas day at my mums,which was nice because it's what we've always done but the last 2 years we weren't able to due to lack of transport.Now we have the Kangoo it's not a problem anymore and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. The rest of Christmas and New Year has been quiet and peaceful.
Well that's another year over,it's certainly been an eventful one for us,let's hope that 2007 isn't so frantic.
I also hope that this year brings significant developments in research into the causes of and a cure for MND. It may come too late for those of us that have it today but I pray for a world free of MND so that future generations don't have to suffer the way we do. Happy New Year to you all!
January 2007
You may have noticed that my recent journal entries are shorter than in the past,this is because I'm finding it difficult to type now with SmartNAV head mouse and onscreen keyboard. I'm still managing to operate the computer ok at the moment but I quickly run out of energy and have to have a break more often.
My physical condition is getting steadily worse,especially in my legs and feet,but my mind is still doing lots of excersise. I jog from one website to another,lol.
Nothing much more to report this month,other than I'm still not a grandad yet. She's overdue,so I bet she's pretty fed up by now.
Copyright © 2004 - 2006 Rob Marshall