This is a meditation on events and choices. What can we do with the events that occur in our lives? What about our past choices?
Thanks for reading,
Joseph.
Events that take place presently are guided by things from the past. What happened today depends on yesterday and yesteryear.
Things that are unfolding have their root in the past. One’s actions are dependent on thoughts and choices completed.
What you have done affects today, but today can’t fix yesterday- it is gone forever. Though you have made mistakes in the past, dwelling on them today brings sadness depression, or anger. What is in the past is the past, forever gone from sight. Leave it there to die with history. Review it only to learn from it, to not repeat the mistakes of the past. You can’t change what happened, only how you move forward.
Yesterday I had an appointment with my pulmonologist in Nashville to discuss my continued difficulty breathing and diminished quality of life.
My ability to effectively breathe has been hampered by the inflammation and granulomas in my lungs. This has dramatically diminished my quality of life. I can no longer walk to the mailbox without becoming short of breath, or walk through a store for very long. I have to use a rescue inhaler 2-3 times a day 3-4 times a week.
These symptoms have been progressively getting worse even with my inhaled steroid, Wixela. Finally, it got so bad that I started becoming dizzy while walking due to my shortness of breath, so I contacted my pulmonologist to discuss further treatment options.
During my appointment, we discussed the effects of oral steroids (Prednisone) on my body. He said that my blood sugar would increase, I may retain water and subsequently gain weight, and I may bruise more easily due to the thinning of my skin. I may also have changes in my mood, such as worsening anxiety and depression.
After the discussion of all of the side effects of Prednisone, we determined that the benefits outweighed the negative side effects and decided to start the steroids. He also prescribed some antibiotics to prevent an infection in my lungs from starting as well.
If during the planned treatment I start to have serious side effects, anxiety, water retention, etc., we may change course in my treatment plan.
My next appointment with the pulmonologist is in October; I will be sure to keep you up to date on my journey through Sarcoidosis.