Happy March Everybody!

Hard to believe it is March already. I guess it’s a lot like the country song goes, “days go slow and years go fast.” A person in my condition appreciates the mild winter and looks forward to spring (as long as it’s not too rainy.)

At the time of the last update, we were waiting for the results of sputum culture test. That turned out positive for pasteurella, again. Was given a 10 day cycle of antibiotics and expected things to get better. They didn’t. So I called my primary care physician, said that the antibiotics really didn’t clear things up, and maybe I needed other 10 day cycle. He thought that was a stupid idea and if I was still having large amounts of thick mucus that I should take it up with my pulmonologist. I don’t know why but getting an appointment with that guy is a pain. He’s always booked a month out. Needless to say, some frustration there.

Sometime in January we noticed that the trach was not sitting properly. We didn’t think too much of it –– I had just been in the hospital and if was a problem someone should have noticed it –– and so we just kind of let it go for a few weeks. But it started to hurt a little and we had some other issues so we went to the ENT. He removed the trach, did a little cleaning, poked around with his scope, and proclaimed that it was not going back in. He said that I needed surgery. No big deal right? He would get me admitted that day and put me on the schedule for the next day. I just needed to go to the ER to get admitted.

There were a whole bunch of little reasons why that plan did not sit well with me. One was the way he tapped his nonexistent watch when he said, “I wish I had more time to spend with you.” We left his office telling him that we were not going to the ER, we were going home, and we would go to the ER later in the day if necessary. As the Mrs. and I talked about it during the day I settled against having surgery. I just figured I could always change my mind. The first few days were kind of harrowing. Everyone was nervous and felt that we were always 15 minutes away from calling 911. But things have definitely improved. It appears that the ill fitting trach was the source of my respiratory problems. I am still coughing some stuff up, but nothing like it was. And lung function – as measured by pulse ox – is much improved. Today we hit 98.

On the rehabilitation front, it has been an adventure over at the Shirley Ryan. The story is long and complicated (and I will spare you the details) but this is my last week there. I am looking at some other places to do rehab. Will make a decision this week. I mean, rehab will continue, just not at Shirley Ryan.

As always, many thanks to all of you who have expressed your support. Know that it is appreciated.

If anyone ever wants to chat I do have a standing zoom meeting every Sunday at 3:30. That’s Chicago time. There is a usual cast of characters but all are welcome. You can think of it like a “Jim Open House”. Yes, I generally give a quick medical update. But after 3:45–50 it’s pretty much general chitchat. We usually go until 4:15 or 4:30. Be forewarned that if I’m not feeling well I may skip it. But either Bob or someone in my family should be there to let you know.

Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86244670091?pwd=YTQvYytVd2k0czJRTVdpd0l2UjJrZz09

Until the next update my friends Be Kind & Be Well.

Jim