Recovering from "ammonia"

CypressCynthia
CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

Over Thanksgiving, I overdid, was very lax about hugging and holding hands, and am paying for it now.  Developed a little virus: mild sore throat and runny nose.  After a week, I began coughing and wanting to sleep all of the time and headed to my PCP.  He did an xray and came back shaking his head.  He said he thought some of what he was seeing was chronic, but did I usually have atelectasis (collapse) of left lung.  Ding, ding, ding.  Answer is NO!  Diagnosis: pneumonia and I have been on antibiotics for 5 days now.  Still coughing but beginning to see the light.

Bella (granddaughter) told Katherine that I have ammonia and Danny needs to let me stay in bed and fix me breakfast and dinner (I guess I am on my own for lunch) because that's what you do for ammonia.

I couldn't love that little girl more if she were my flesh and blood.  She is a true joy and makes me laugh every time I see her. 

Now I have to get better, so I can watch her at Disney! 

Comments

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    I had atelectasis show up on

    I had atelectasis show up on my appendicitis xray in the ER on 2/13/13 (I had also had a cough since Dec 2012). No one at the hospital bothered to tell me. When I asked my primary care doctor, she said don't worry about. Fast foward to July 31, 2013, I had a plum sized mass of hypersensitivity pneumonitis taken from that same lung.  My cardiothoracic surgeon poo-pooed the term atelectasis as well, because it is such a general term and doesn't really give a diagnoses. Ashtma,shallow breathing, pnemonia,obesity, being bedridden recent surgery, and anesthesia can also cause atelectasis.

    Fast foward to October 2013, my CT scan showed atelectasis in the other lung now. I was concerned because I had started having some of the same symptoms starting up again as before. I asked the pulmonologist and I was told that I wasn't breathing deep enough and to use my spirometer several times a day for deep breathign exercises. There is a gal in the cancer chat room that had atelectasis as well.

    Atelectasis can be caused by so many different things. I am glad they found out that you had "ammonia." Hope the antibiotics help and get over it soon. The more deep breathing exercises you can, the better (without causing coughing fits).

     

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Pneumonia

    Glad that you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Mickey is waiting for you and your grandchild.

    It will be warmer in Florida too.

     

    Doris

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    I had atelectasis show up on

    I had atelectasis show up on my appendicitis xray in the ER on 2/13/13 (I had also had a cough since Dec 2012). No one at the hospital bothered to tell me. When I asked my primary care doctor, she said don't worry about. Fast foward to July 31, 2013, I had a plum sized mass of hypersensitivity pneumonitis taken from that same lung.  My cardiothoracic surgeon poo-pooed the term atelectasis as well, because it is such a general term and doesn't really give a diagnoses. Ashtma,shallow breathing, pnemonia,obesity, being bedridden recent surgery, and anesthesia can also cause atelectasis.

    Fast foward to October 2013, my CT scan showed atelectasis in the other lung now. I was concerned because I had started having some of the same symptoms starting up again as before. I asked the pulmonologist and I was told that I wasn't breathing deep enough and to use my spirometer several times a day for deep breathign exercises. There is a gal in the cancer chat room that had atelectasis as well.

    Atelectasis can be caused by so many different things. I am glad they found out that you had "ammonia." Hope the antibiotics help and get over it soon. The more deep breathing exercises you can, the better (without causing coughing fits).

     

    You are right and I wasn't

    You are right and I wasn't clear about my situation.  My right lung has had chronic changes since mets: small atelectasis off and on, pleural effusions off and on, diminished size of lung.  Pulmonologists say it will never be normal although no current signs of active cancer.  Both lungs were showing some changes during chemo, but left lung has never had atelectasis and combined with fever, productive cough, laryngitis, no energy, etc-well, we both were pretty sure this was pneumonia.  Fever is gone and laryngitis is improving and energy is definitely better.  Cough is slowly improving, but coughs, as we both know, can really linger.

    I have been trying to deep breathe and am looking for my incentive spirometer.  I know it is somewhere.  Trying hard to recover for Mickey!  Thanks!

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    SIROD said:

    Pneumonia

    Glad that you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Mickey is waiting for you and your grandchild.

    It will be warmer in Florida too.

     

    Doris

    80. a friend just called and was complaining about thr heat
    80 sounds like heaven to me! lol. CC. yes you do need to get well, and your grand daughter has your road to recovery mapped out so well! Thank goodness for Danny being available to do all the cooking.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    camul said:

    80. a friend just called and was complaining about thr heat
    80 sounds like heaven to me! lol. CC. yes you do need to get well, and your grand daughter has your road to recovery mapped out so well! Thank goodness for Danny being available to do all the cooking.

    Damn ........

    Hate to hear this .. however, I see that you have a great NP in training with Bella.  Rest and allow your body to heal.

     

    Vicki

  • Josie21
    Josie21 Member Posts: 382 Member
    Hi CC

    Feel better soon CC.  So sorry you have pneumonia, but I guess you'll just have to kick 'ammonia's' butt too!  A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer that spread to her liver.  I told her about the lesions that you had and how someone actually counted each one.  Your story inspired her and made her feel better.  You and so many gentlemen and ladies on this site have no idea how much you help others.  You kicked cancer's butt over and over again, so 'ammonia' will have to have its butt kicked as well.

    Hugs,

    Ginny

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Josie21 said:

    Hi CC

    Feel better soon CC.  So sorry you have pneumonia, but I guess you'll just have to kick 'ammonia's' butt too!  A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer that spread to her liver.  I told her about the lesions that you had and how someone actually counted each one.  Your story inspired her and made her feel better.  You and so many gentlemen and ladies on this site have no idea how much you help others.  You kicked cancer's butt over and over again, so 'ammonia' will have to have its butt kicked as well.

    Hugs,

    Ginny

    Aw Ginny, you really made me

    Aw Ginny, you really made me feel better.  I am doing well, so please give your friend a little dose of hope from me.  My cancer mets appears to be in remission: no active disease.  I know I am not cured, but I will take every day and enjoy it.  Give your friend a big hug from me!

  • grannabeth
    grannabeth Member Posts: 95
    Sorry to hear about the ammonia

    Hope you are feeling better today. I know how much you want to get to Disney and have fun with that little granddaughter.  Grandchildren are such a joy--they make you just want to smile all day long.  Hang in there and keep chugging. Best wishes for your holiday.

    Beth

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Aw Ginny, you really made me

    Aw Ginny, you really made me feel better.  I am doing well, so please give your friend a little dose of hope from me.  My cancer mets appears to be in remission: no active disease.  I know I am not cured, but I will take every day and enjoy it.  Give your friend a big hug from me!

    CC .. when are you leaving for

    Disney World ??   Feeling any stronger?  

    I am worried about our Saints - with Sunday's loss to the Rams (of all teams) .. my fingers and toes are crossed for stronger showings in play offs.  Love my Jimmy Graham #80.

    I think about you often, and prayer for you daily my dear Special Friend.

     

    Vicki Sam