Pinkers,

They are starting to do away with Methcolene. I don't know if it is generic or brand name. The scar tissue is from all the infections.  I've been trying to get that Swine Flu Vaccine, but I haven't been able to get it yet. It kind of worries me with my lungs being so bad. The Doctors say that the reason people are dying is because of how it is turning into pneumonia and people aren't able to get over it. That's what they said on the show today anyway.

Hey, have a great day, and I will talk to you soon.

Emily~

Pinkers,

That is interesting that you are a Respiratory Therapist. You might know about Methcolene (I think I spelled that right). My doctor had my in Respirtory Therapy all summer, and he wanted to know if I had asthma. So they did that Methcolene medicine. That was scary. It took my breath away. Not really, really bad, but bad enough. That is a really neat profession. I have had a pneumonia shot, but I can be healthy, and wake up at night 3 hours later and have full blown pnuemonia. My oxygen will be at 67, and my body hurts so bad, and I have a fever usually of 103. I never know when it will come on. It is kind of scary. The doctors say my lungs are so weak. I also have so much scare tissue in my lungs that they don't know if I have a pneumonia sometimes. I don't smoke.

Any ideas on how to keep my lungs healthy?

Emily

Dear Emily, I have never had pneumonia, but my mother in law did once and it knocked her off her feet for about a month.  I am writing, not about pneumonia this time though.  I want to thank you for the job you do.  I could not be a teacher. I don't have the patience.  You do a thankless job and you are obviously dedicated.  Thank you for helping to educate our children.  I am a lunch lady in a middle school and I know it is getting more difficult to keep the attention of kids on what they need to learn.  With all the technology out there, what need do they have to read a book, right?  I have two boys and one is in ninth grade the other in college, first year.  I spent a lot of time at the school talking to teachers, TA's, guidance councelors, principals, etc.  I had the best teachers every year for my boys.  I always tried to do right by them.  I hope you have a great day and that you realize that you are appreciated. I hope you get well soon and that you realize your health is so vital that if you need to take today off that you do that.  I understand the economy is shot, but if you make yourself sicker by going to work too soon, you will be out even longer. Take care and I am sorry I have written so much, I just have no filter.  Have a great day!  Bobbie

i had pneumonia. when i was 5. since that time, i never got another one.

Thanks vababy10,

I appreciate your comments. It is very helpful to know how you felt as well. My pneumonia is in the upper right lobe. I am so tired. I feel like I have been hit by a Mack Truck. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep tonight. I am so tired, yet I am having a hard time sleeping, and just like you said, I go from hot to cold all the time. I hope this gets over soon.

Emily~

oh i forgot about the nightly fevers and from time to time chills..and hot flashes..and for me fatigue..

srry about the spelling..

i had pneumonia and it was HORRIBLE...i literally coughed everyday for about 3/4 of the time i was sick..literally..and then i cuoghed like every two minutes..first i felt normal but i kinda knew i was about to get sick so i took over the counter medicine..i know something was wrong when i was still sick 3 weeks later..i had lower low pneumonia for the first time ever..when i walked up any stairs it felt like i took a hike up a mountain..i was afraid to go to sleep at night baecause my breathing was so off..like about 1 week and a half of antibiotics cleard the pneumonia away..