Zen, I have my Advair (like Symbacort), albuteral inhalers, albuteral nebulizer meds, and prednisone. All working together and I still can't do much.

I hear you. I still can't do as much as I'd like, either. I think, for me at least, that having been unable to really get in good cardiovascular/respiratory condition my whole life, it's going to take a few months of a committed exercise program (which I have yet to accomplish) to really get my insides to a "normal" state of fitness. And I may never be able to, you know, jog around the block. IOW, it's still hard to breathe sometimes, but I think it's because I haven't been.

I use the albuterol inhaler much less than I did when it was all I had, before I started on the Singulair/Symbicort. I guess that's progress, or else stubbornness. I'm so used to not being able to breathe well, it doesn't send me "danger - get the inhaler" signals until my lungs actually start making that wheezing/whistling sound.

Also, I'm refusing to take prednisone. I don't need to gain more weight, and on that I know I will.

Oh Zen, I understand the weight issue. Big time. But, for me, Prednisone is the ONLY thing that brings me back to any kind of normal. It make such a crazy difference that the trade off is worth it. As my doc says - if I can't breathe right, I can't do the cardio work I want to do. If I can't do the cardio work, I'll have a harder time gaining any level of fitness.

Back about 15 years, I was on Prednisone about every other month. I hated it and it wasn't until my doc got me taking Flovent daily that I was able to break out of the Prednisone cycle. Since then I resist as much as possible.

So the new-to-me NP at the new-to-me facility called yesterday to tell me my blood transfusion had been scheduled and she was sending the paperwork over. Today I go for type and cross and *you guessed it* they didn't have the paperwork. They putzed around for half an hour and then decided that since I'm a frequent flyer, they'd do it and assume the paperwork would come it. Let's hope it's there when I go in tomorrow for the transfusion.

At least the new infusion people seemed nice and, more importantly, competent.

But, for me, Prednisone is the ONLY thing that brings me back to any kind of normal. It make such a crazy difference that the trade off is worth it.

Maybe I'll ask my doctor about it and give it a try if he thinks it'll help. He seems to be mostly focused on me losing weight, though.

I have been dealing with doctors' offices and administrators for years. There have been the usual number of mistakes due to the fact that we're humans, but I truly believe the administration of cancer care is far more lackadaisical than other medical specialties. It's like they know their patients are desperate. The doctors and treatment staff have been wonderful. The administrators and paperpushers seem boggled at the idea that what they do is crucial to people's lives. "Oh, you mean it's *important* that your authorizations get to where they should be going?" Yes, you dumbass! This procedure has to happen before the next procedure can happen, and the next procedure has to happen within a very stringent time frame! And show some fucking courtesy to this person who's tired and scared and sick! We're so sorry that our crisis is inconveniencing you!

I may be bitter.

Congrats sj!!! Much demitasse~ma for you and your burgeoning family.

I had the most interesting, pleasant dream last night. Usually my dreams are full of anxiety but the one I woke up to was a nice vacation at a beach house with Pix, N_D, and unnamed Others (likely Buffistas, but no names or faces or voices, just the welcome presence of pleasant Others). It was near the end of the vacation chunk and there had been a full roster of planned activities. We were getting ready to spend the last full day just relaxing on the beach with big floppy sunhats either sunning ourselves or under shady beach umbrellas. I was looking for my bag and sunblock when I woke up, already feeling warm from the soon-to-be-basked-in-sunshine. What a lovely change for my subconscious!

Congratulations, SJ!(and TG)

Thanks, everyone. You're all the best. I was more excited to post here than calling my relatives.

This snow is going to kill my bank balance. If I don't get out of the house soon I will have purchased every geeky onesie the internet has to offer.

Saw the doc, lungs are sluggishly improving. I have a new, higher dosage, advair inhaler for the next week. She also gave me a scrip for anti-biotics in case I spike a fever that doesn't drop. Beyond that, rest, keep up with the meds, and call if tomorrow isn't better.

Now, who can tell me about tessalon pearls (sp?)?

Now, who can tell me about tessalon pearls (sp?)?

The only thing I know about them is that they are one of the few things that will stop my mom's cough when she gets bronchitis.