2010 - Look back in utter disgust.

[gridlore]

2010 was possibly the worst year I've had in a long time. Starting with the gall bladder surgery, it was just one massive medical headache after another, costing me literally months of work time. This was topped off by what my lung doctor insists is asthma. Asthma is not a chronic disease. I am constantly short of breath, and the various inhalers I'm using work for maybe a half hour. I'm going in to see my regular doctor to discuss things next week. Also next week is Biopsy take three. Let's hope my body cooperates and the doctor actually hits something this time.

But there were some good things. Being on almost every panel at Baycon was fun, especially when Jay Freeman ordered me onto the Moon or Mars? panel. Five PhDs and me, the high-school semi-dropout. Being hunted by ribbon-hungry fans was also fun. Pity that led directly into my having pneumonia...

Also great was our far too few interactions with the nieces. Niece Prime has become a remarkable young woman, and my sister's kids are somehow managing to get cuter by the day. How can you not like a girl whose favorite Christmas present was a box of Scotch tape?

Finally, there came November 1, 2010 at 2030hrs; when Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz swinging to seal the Giants first World Series Championship since 1954, and the first ever as the San Francisco Giants. That almost balanced out the year.

I wish I could say I was optimistic about 2011, but I've got so much facing me right now, and I can't breathe.

Comments

[claidheamhmor]

You had a really rough 2010; I've read all your health-related posts, and it's been hard reading. I really hope that 2011 is a much better year for you.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Hope this year is better for you.
And may the Sharks join the Giants in Championships!
*more hugs*

[nightshade1972.livejournal.com]

"Asthma is not a chronic disease"?! Since when? Asthma can take two forms, chronic and acute. The chronic form is what most ppl think of when they think of asthma. The acute form is what the Maternal Unit has--her asthma only acts up if she's already sick with a cold or sinus bug.

Anyway...hope this year is better for you than the last!

*Hugs*

:-)

[pauldrye.livejournal.com]

It's chronic but episodic. I think Doug means chronic in the sense of "does not let up 24/7".

[nightshade1972.livejournal.com]

As do I. That's precisely what "chronic" means. So, if he's fortunate enough to have the acute form of asthma, he shouldn't belittle people less fortunate by suggesting "chronic" asthma doesn't exist.

Hydrocephalus (www.hydroassoc.org) and spina bifida frequently occur together. I have hydrocephalus, but not spina bifida. I once spoke to someone who told me he "used" to have hydrocephalus, but currently "only" had spina bifida. I asked him what he meant. Apparently he thought that having a shunt in place which had never malfunctioned meant he was "cured". Not so. He may be fortunate to have a shunt that lasts his entire lifetime, or he may go into shunt failure tomorrow. I've had 17 brain surgeries, the last two of which took place in July '04. Just because I've gone six and a half years without requiring surgery doesn't mean I won't go into shunt failure tomorrow. Hydrocephalus, therefore, is a chronic disease which may require chronic pharmacological intervention, and will almost certainly require acute surgical intervention.

[charlottesmtms.livejournal.com]

2010 was a rough end to a rough decade ... I've got plenty of optimism to share, so - if it helps, at all, I'll just have to hold my chin up for the both of us! xo