6-Year Update: At least the LP-ESP is still doing its job!

I can’t believe it’s already April. It’s been an intense year so far, and the twilight-feeling – with all the uncertainties – is still part of our lives. I was hoping things would get more “stable”, but so far, it has just gotten more… let’s call it complicated.

I am actually one day late with this update, since it was yesterday (April 4^th) when my ADR surgery took place six years ago. I just didn’t have it in me. But better late than never, right? Well, with everything else going awry in my life, I am beyond grateful that my back (and LP-ESP) is still unchanged. No pain or limitations; in fact, I started working with a personal trainer to safely get back in shape and lift weights. I am hopeful that this part of my body will hold up like this for years to come.

Even though we are barely in month four, a LOT has happened – from work-related travel (twice!) to more hospitalizations (also twice!), a destroyed kitchen (again!), and serious health issues for myself (for a change).

The first trip was to attend and present at the IMSH 2024 Annual Convention in San Diego in late January…

… followed by a trip to the hospital with Ralf (sudden-onset bowel obstructions) beginning of February…

… followed by my second trip to implement my Introduction to Clinical Simulation course in Las Vegas mid-February (that included arriving on Super Bowl Sunday, a wedding, and zip-lining with Helen)…

… followed by me getting REALLY sick with a respiratory infection the week after I returned…

… followed by Ralf’s second trip to the hospital with another round of bowel obstructions…

… followed by severe water damage manifesting in our kitchen ceiling, caused by a leaking pipe from the upstairs bathroom. Apparently, the water has ever so slowly leaked into the ceiling for a long time, before it finally reached the threshold and ultimately cause the plaster from the ceiling to collapse. Repairs are underway as we speak – with no idea what the financial damage will be yet. At least we were able to safe the stove and cabinets. Not having a functional kitchen poses a significant challenge, especially when it comes to maintain Ralf’s nutrition and food-related limitations. But, we can shower again, so that’s a plus!!

In the meantime, I finally got my lung CT done, in an effort to find out why I have been coughing for a year. Results suggest permanent scaring and damage to my lungs due to Bronchiectasis – a rare chronic condition that is usually observed in patients with cystic fibrosis. That most likely is the reason why I had so many respiratory infections (including flu and covid last year), and why I was so sick in late February. Got my appointment scheduled with a recommended pulmonologist in a week from now, so I am anxiously waiting to find out what this means for me in the future.

Now I can print myself a t-shirt with “it’s NOT Covid!”, to wear when I cough my lungs out in public.

Stay tuned, 2024 has barely gotten started yet!