I Need Your Prayers!, Got Some Bad News

[WizardofOwls]

I've already posted this thread over in the Kirk and Chapel, but at the moment I am in need of as much support as I can get, so I am posting it here too. I hope that's okay!

Hello my friends. I just got back from a trip to the doctor, and I'm afraid the news wasn't too good!

As a child I had asthma, but luckily I grew out of it. In addition, I used to be a heavy smoker. Smoked about 2 packs a day for around 15 years. I know, not too bright with a history of asthma, but I've never been accused of being the smartest guy around!

Around seven years ago, I started working in a plastics-manufacturing factory. A lot of the chemicals we work in are pretty toxic, so we have to wear respirators. As a precaution, the company sends us every year for checkups and breathing tests, just to be sure that wearing a respirator isn't too hard on us!

I've been with the company for almost 7 years now, and my checkups have never been the greatest. They keep telling me that I have some moderate blockage that interferes with my breathing but not bad enough to make me stop wearing a respirator. About 4 years ago, at one of these checkups, I was told that I have the lungs of a 94 year old man! I was only 35 at the time! As you can probably guess this was the incentive I needed to quit!

Well about two weeks ago it was annual check up time again. The doc told me I had the lungs of a 102 year old man! I was hoping to see some improvement after four years without a puff, not to see it going the other way! Well, the doctor told me I needed to see my family doctor for additional testing.

I just got back and the news was pretty scary. She told me that she thinks I'm in the early stages of emphysema. Luckily, though, she said that since I have quit smoking, that chances are it won't get much worse than it is now. I had to go today for some chest x-rays and have to go in a couple of weeks for some more breathing tests to be sure.

I'm trying to hold on to my faith and remember that I have a Greater Physician than these, but the word emphysema frightens me almost as bad as cancer does. I've seen too many people struggling to get another breath from this thing, and it scares the daylights out of me. I would greatly appreciate your prayers in this matter!

[maggiemahone1]

WizardofOwls, such sad news! I know how bad that emphysema is. I live in what used to be a booming coal mining area and I have seen many coal miner's suffer from this. My own husband has black lung from working in the mines. It's good that you have stopped smoking and would be better if you could find another job. I know that is easier said than done. Are you on any breathing med's such as inhalers or a nebulizer? They help my hubby quite a bit. My best to you and keep the faith.

maggiemahone1

[celtica]

Oh Wizard, what a terrible new ! You must be in such anguish !
And after all the efforts you made to stop smoking...

Maggiemahone is right i'm sure it will be better for your health if you could find another job, all these chemichals have bad effects, even on a healthy person...
But to help you to keep your good spirits remember that your family doctor said that things won't get worse, and with the treatment, maybe they'll improve a little.

Because this stupid ocean between us prevents me to help you more directly, be sure you'll be in my thoughts and prayers my friend.

[TheCarolinaScotsman]

Wizard

You know you have a few truckloads of friends here and we're all pulling for you. I told you this before but left out one part. Try not to worry, do what your doctor says, live your life the best you know how, leave the rest to God, and be joyful. There is so much beauty in this world, from a mountain sunset to a child's trusting hand in yours, that all else pales by comparison.

[tsargent62]

I can't imagine how scary this must be for you. Be sure you'll be in my prayers my friend.

[greenldydragon]

So Sad!! At least it won't get worse, at least that is what the doctor says. You really should see if you can get another job, like maggimahone1 and celtica said. Hope it doesn't get worse and you get better!

[stevenpd]

Allan,

This bit of information must only be terrifying to you and shake your faith to your soul. But do not let it, have faith in the Great Physician and believe that you are in God's hands.

My prayers to you and your family.

[AShruleEgan]

Allen, this might be something to look into.

http://www.ustransplant.org/cgi-bin/urrea?...rimer/lung.html


Sounds like they are having some success with it but still have a long way to go.

[emerald-eyedwanderer]

Wizard, I'm so very, very sorry to hear this. Of course you will be in my prayers! Stay strong and keep the faith. Keep us informed on how the testing goes.. we all will be praying as hard as we can. Please get better.

-Em

[WizardofOwls]

Thank you, my dear friends, for your support, kin words, thoughts and prayers. I'm really struggling with this, because it scares me so bad. I've never really been sick other than the childhood asthma. I hate going to doctors and hospitals. Can't stand the smell of the place (had to stay in them far too often in my childhood). Don't even like to medicine. I have to be nearly dead with a headache to even take an aspirin. So the thoughts of having something like this really scare me. And what scares me even more is, what if she starts looking around and finds that the preliminary diagnosis was incorrect and its something worse???

I've got all of these bad things floating around in my head and I just want them to go away. I know, as many of you have said, I just need to calm down and think about this thing rationally and hold on to that unseen hand for dear life! He said He cares for the sparrows and clothes the grass, so I know He cares for me, and will carry me through this.

My next appointment is Aug 9 and I will definitely let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again, and hugs to all of you!

[urian]

*hugs*
My friend..my brother.
I am so sorry to hear your news.
I can understand how that word would scare you because I have seen strong men taken down be it.
But, keep your faith. Keep your spirit and know that there is a divine love and kindness that guides all of our lives and will see to it that you are taken car e of and comforted at all times. An arm around you when you feel lonely and someone to carry you when you cant walk.
I ramble my brother.
Just know my prayers are with you

[gtrplr]

Wizard, it's not good news, but don't give up hope (and don't give up). I had an uncle who developed emphysema. This was back in the '60s when medicine wasn't nearly as advanced as it is now. If memory serves me, Uncle Floyd llived well into his 70's and was still very vigorous when he passed. And I don't believe it was the emphysema that killed him. The thing I remember best about him was that he raised rabbits and smoked foul-smelling cigars. Not sure I'd recommend either of those as therapy, though.

My prayers are with you, my friend.

[Kiraa]

Prayers are with you during this trying time

[Annabelle]

Wizard so sorry to hear you are not doing very well! Keep the faith bubba, he won't let ya down!
A

[cscunningham]

WizardofOwls,

So sorry to hear your news, I can not iimagine the range of emotions you are going through. Be assured you will be included in my prayers.

I can only offer the following, keep your faith, God does work in mysterious ways. Be posative, foucus your posative energy on getting well.

My God bless you WizardofOwls.

Steve