Katie

  Hey everyone Katie is home this is what she sent me

Approximately 6weeks ago I began feeling shortness of breath and was unable to fill my lungs with air, it was getting really bad so I went to a doctor and was told I had Asthma. Friday pain kicked in with every breath deep or shallow, every swallow, and dizziness started. Saturday the pain increased causing my already VERY labored breathing to become a more serious, demanding problem. I decided an ER visit was called for. 7pm I checked in began the first of 23hrs of blood tests, EKG, lab work, X-rays, Cat scans, heart monitors, IV drips, bed rest, and round the clock oxygen. After the first X-rays and blood tests it was thought I had a blood clot in my lung so a CAT scan was ordered which revealed the air pocket. I was transferred to Texas Children’s by ambulance arrived at 11:40pm admitted to the trauma room then moved to observation around 2am. Spent all night on oxygen, every 2hrs check up, 4hrs blood pressure, 6hrs pain meds, and needless to say 0hrs sleep. The goal was and still is to get rid of the pain allowing my lungs to fill easier and then with bed rest allow my lungs to begin working again normally. Sunday I spent on oxygen but took a break and attempted a 5min walk…that did not go well. I was put back on oxygen till the dizziness subsided and breathing eased. Sunday night I arrived home at 6:40pm. So, for those of you who have asked how it all went down…there ya go.

I was sent home with instructions and a prescription for pain if it gets unbearable/interferes with my breathing again. The idea is that with 1-2months of bed rest, not getting over heated under ANY circumstances, no stressful activities or environments, and fluids the air pocket will be absorbed back into my body, assuming the leak came from a hole in my lungs. If it came from a tear/hole in my esophagus then surgery will be required to repair the damage. It’s unclear what caused this air pocket (whether it came from my lungs or esophagus) it’s one of those strange things that happens to some people. Those of you that have asked about dance, the answer is no. I am not able to dance (lol I can barely get enough air to walk right now) however I will be attending the class sitting on the sidelines to keep up with changing choreography.

Thank you so much for prayers and concerns. Many of you have expressed a desire to visit, no promises but feel free to text me and we’ll see what we can work out on a day I might be feeling up to it. For this week at least I’m not going to take visitors…I simply don’t have the energy or the strength right now. Thank you to those who have put me on prayer sheets it means a lot to me. I need it. Those who have helped me and my family thus far…THANK YOU! You mean the world to me, you’ve been such a help and an incredible comfort.

Most popular questions! Lol, many of you have asked the same questions and asked that I post the answers 0.o SOOOO I’m going to answer them from most popular down to the least =)

1. ”Can you feel the air pocket?” yes I can, lol. I can feel it when I breathe, eat, drink, touch my heart, cough, laugh, and talk.

2.“Are you going to die?” that’s not the plan, lol. Whether the tear is in my lungs or esophagus I intend to have it fixed long before it gets the better of me.

3.“Do you need anything?” prayer would be the only real thing I can think of. Lol, some of you have offered coloring books, pen and paper, etc. it’s fun but don’t feel obligated! I’m not totally on lock down just mostly till I can handle moving around.

4.“What ER did you go to?” there Emergency Clinic on Dixie Farm and 518.

5.“Will you be at church?” I’m hoping so. I don’t know that it will happen this coming Sunday but I’d like to be. Wednesday night? That’s a lot more iffy. Probably not b/c it’s extra activity that I don’t need.

6.“Are you feeling pain?” Yes. Mostly in my chest, but the arm the put the IV in REALLY hurts.

There ya have it! Believe it or not I was actually asked by a lotta people to post the answers to those questions, haha!