Tune-up Report

Nothing quite compares to pulling into the drive way and getting that first embrace from my wife after a two week stay in the Hole.

I wanted to thank all of you who have sent notes along or been praying for me during my latest tune-up. As you know, I came down with a virus of sorts before the Christmas holiday and I was never able to shake it completely. Rather than continue my slow decline, I decided it was best to call in the back-ups (the back-ups of course being my doctors). They agreed that a stay in the Hole was probably best before I got any worse.

I checked in on January 7th with an FEV1 of 65%. I was actually quite surprised and pleased with that number. You guys know how it is though. There are times that we feel worse than "the number" and times that we feel better. This was one of those times that I felt worse than my number usually indicates. I'd definitely have to chalk that up to the head/sinus/chest crud that was going on.

The first thing they did when I checked in was to test me for the flu and RSV. As you know, there is quite the epidemic going on throughout the country right now, but fortunately, both came back negative. That was good and bad. It was great that I didn't have one of those nasty bugs, but that also meant that I had a virus, which means I just had to take the wait-it-out approach. We proceeded to treat me for a CF exacerbation during my stay. This meant IV antibiotics around the clock and 4 treatment sets a day plus plenty of rest.

Well, it seems that that was just what the doctor ordered! Around day 9 or 10 I started to feel a little bit better each day. Let's back up a bit so I can put that into context.

I almost always feel worse than when I checked in for the first 3 to 4 days. Then from day 5 to 7, 8, 9 or 10 I pretty much feel how I did before I came in but with less energy and coughing up more junk. Then from days 10 or so on I start to feel better and better each day. At least this is how it works out under the good scenario, which has happened to be the way it's been for the last 2 years or so.

So this time, after 14 days in the Hole, I felt like I had my energy back and was at a place where I could kick some major booty outside of the hospital walls. I also blew a 75% which hasn't happened in the confines of the hospital for about 10 years!! Generally, I get it around 70% or so and then work hard to get it to baseline before my follow-up appointment a month later. So this time, I'll see if I can move my baseline up a bit.

Anywho, thank you again for your support, well wishes and prayers. It's good to be home again!!