Hello dear friends!

I've been busy since Wednesday, many papers to do because my GP decided to put me on "long medical leave" after I saw the specialists, we now know I'm not going to be cured very soon....sigh....

On Tuesday I saw the pneumologist, and after the first test (the equivalent of a spirometer but with a computer to analyze the numbers) I was told I couldn't do the other (effort) tests. I thought "that's not good"..

Actually the diagnostic is not that bad, but the first test did show I have lung distension and any effort would make it much worth (I knew, I was huffing and puffing to walk ten meters). Then the pneumologist saw me, took a look at my Xray, I could see she was not happy, and she said "the radiologist is so wrong" (in his report he said RAS:nothing is wrong!) and she explained that since the Xray I should have received stronger doses of cortisone because my lungs are not Ok right now (no kidding!!).
But she said my hernia was actually not probably the main culprit here, but the silent reflux coming from the hernia was....whattt???
Actually why not....but why the pain since my week of asthma everyday??

She explained that it was probably mainly muscular issues and then she did recommend to have a scan of my abdomen because she could see an asymmetry and wanted to know why my muscles are twitching (sigh...this is endless...).
My Xray was done after the one week non stop asthma, and my bronchitis was over. But she said that she could see my lungs were still very much in trouble.
She said what I have is some version of emphysema or COPD, but should be reversible after more cortisone. But the reflux situation had to be addressed really really soon because my lungs couldn't cope any longer.
Anyway, I'm supposed to recover in one month, but could be up to 3!!

Oh my!! three months??

Next day I met the new bariatric surgeon.
This one had really better bedside manners for sure.

But the consult was short, he was mainly worried of what surgery to do, and didn't know where to start with all my issues since August, and my complicated medical history.
But he said that anyway I need to have more tests done when my lungs will be better, so I'm booked for a full week in hospital in January. They couldn't do it before that with Xmas coming.....the staff is away....
I will see all the specialists one by one, then they will have a meeting all together to discuss "my case".
The bariatric surgeon said I need to go back on PPI, I did say I had bad side effects, he said the new version is better and should be tolerated by my body. If not we would try to find something else, but the real deal was to try the PPI again, at least until I was back in hospital.
I was really against the idea, but did listen, and try....surprise, so far no side effect!! and my lungs are a little better, I only had one attack since Wednesday..
The surgeon offered two surgeries, one would repair the hernia, and reattach the stomac, the other one is ....a bypass...(argh!!!). The one to repair is new and we are not sure of "what to expect on the long run". So I will have to decide with no study or numbers to compare....that's not good.
But the bypass would be terrible, I already don't absorb vitamins right now, what can happen after a bypass? Iron infusion each month? this is scary.

In the evening the nurse called, we spoke for more than 30 minutes, she told me about all the exams I will do at the hospital, and even said I will be able to meet a coach for personal advice after injuries since my lungs are a main issue right now (I was impressed). She was really knowledgeable and trying to find solutions. They will redo all my lungs exams to make sure I can have surgery.

So I'm still in pain, not an emergency for anyone...but at least I found a team and I hope I will find the support I need on the long run.

One of the first thing the surgeon told me, he was looking at all my exams and was like "why on earth nobody offered to do a complete check up in hospital!!! it's really needed!" well, I'm thinking the same thing, but don't have an answer, besides the fact that our health system became really complicated while I was away...going private for the tests and appointments was the only way to get treatment before February! He said that one of the specialist I saw should have sent me to a hospital anyway.....hum....

So I'm home for a while, not supposed to carry anything heavy, supposed to rest (but can't sleep)...hopefully the lungs will heal and in January we will be able to get things done ...finger crossed!

But in the mean time, getting a big cortisone dosage each day, I'm getting as big as a whale....I know Ill have to face my scale soon, but right now I'm still not ready for the shock...