I had an ideal life from childhood to adulthood and still do, just different; stationary now. My Dad was career military, an Air Force pilot. He started out in the Army and then entered pilot training in the Army Air Corps, which in turn became the USAF. We traveled all around the United States as well as foreign countries as a family. My Dad went to places we didn't go, like the Far East during the War, but we got to go Japan in 1948 for two years as a family. We were also in Okinawa in 1952-1954 when it was just Okinawa, not Okinawa, Japan. England in 1957-1959 was the last stop I made in my "military" life.
I met my husband overseas, as a matter of fact. My Dad was stationed in England and we joined him there in November of 1957. Ray, who put in his 4 years and then became a civilian again, was also stationed in England on the same Base. We met the day after I arrived, and in November of 1958 we were married. That was almost 41 years ago. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I guess it's really true that time flies when you're having fun.
In February of 1998, I awoke to a feeling of a heaviness on my chest which felt a little better when I sat up; I could breathe better anyway. That night I could not lay flat in my bed without gasping for air. The doctor made a diagnosis of bronchial pneumonia and prescribed an antibiotic. Four days later I had an episode where I had great difficulty trying to breathe. I was in a doctor's office at the time for something else, and his staff called 911.
A diagnosis of asthma was made by a pulmonologist in the ER and I was admitted to the hospital. This happened 8 more times during the next 4 months. In June of 1998, the ambulance arrived at my home and I don't remember anything until 3 days later when I awoke to discover that I was diagnosed with CHF. My EF was 13% at the time, although today it has risen to 35%.
I still tire easily. By pacing myself, I have at least been able to stay out of the hospital! I try not to overdo things and save my energy for the things I really like to do, like play with my grandson JT (James III) and my brand new granddaughter Mariana.
| 40mg Zestril | Twice a day |
| 50mg Cozaar | Daily |
| 0.25mg Lanoxin | Daily |
| 40mg Lasix | As needed |
| 1800mg Neurontin | Twice a day |
| 100mg Tegretol | Daily |
| NitroStat (0.4mg) | As needed |
| 70mg Fosomax | weekly |
| 150mg Pamelor | PM |
| 60mg Allegra | Twice a day |
| 20mg Accolate | Twice a day |
| 100mg Plaquenil | Daily |
| 40mg Nexium | Daily |
| one g Carafate | 4 times a day |
| 2 puffs Flovent MDI (220mcg) | Twice a day |
| 2 puffs Proventil MDI (17 g) | Every 4 hours, as needed |
| 2 sprays 50mcg Nasonex | Daily |
| one g Relafen | Twice a day |
| 25mg Enbrel injectable | Twice a week |
| 100mg Tessalon Perles | As needed |
| 10mg Methotrexate | Weekly |
| Percocet 5/325 | As needed |
| 325mg Ecotrin | Daily |
| 250mg CoQ10 | Daily |
| 5 Tums | Daily |
| one mg Folic acid | Daily |
| 2 tablets Fiber Choice | Daily |
| one multivitamin | Daily |
| one mg vitamin B12 | Daily |
Mary Lou -- September 29, 1999
All information on this site is opinion only. All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been re-written in plain English and may contain errors. No one here is a doctor. No information on this page should be used by any person to affect their medical, legal, educational, social, or psychological treatment in any way. This web site and all its pages copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Jon C.