I’m back out of hibernation
Last Update: Nov 30, 2022
Some of you will have noticed that I'm back out of hibernation. Well, some will. Some won't have missed me at all, but I don't really care if you haven't. People come and go and that's just life.
The summer was going well until at the end of July I started to feel bad. It was just after the hottest day in the history of Durham. It was still prime summer time.
To cut a long story short, I succumbed to a 'chest infection' and by the middle of September I'd lost nearly 40lbs in weight (that's 20% of my bodyweight). All the usual tests came back negative, but I couldn't breathe. I was regularly in the Surgery and the Hospital for X-Rays, CT scans and the like. I'd hardly been to the docs for 50 years and suddenly I was there every week.
Towards the middle of October, I finally got a diagnosis from my consultant at the University Hospital of North Durham (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis - an immune response disease).
This was being caused by living in close proximity to Poppy, an African Grey parrot. For some reason, my lungs had decided they were no longer going to tolerate it. I was incapacitated and couldn’t walk 50 yards. I was unable to breathe at all.
Buckets of steroid tablets were prescribed and now I'm on the mend, but I need another CT scan to confirm the treatment is working for me (although it seems to be, and i’ve eliminated the trigger, just hope no chronic damage has been done).
We’ve had to re-home Poppy. She’s gone to a rather excellent parrot sanctuary in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and she now apparently has a boyfriend. 😎
I'm glad to say my appetite has returned and we're now slowly getting back to society at large. But, my capacity for drink will have reduced hugely, not having had any alcohol for 4 months, so for those who know me to go out with, please be gentle with me. I'm still on the 'roids so I don't know how my body will react.
Recent Comments
30
Welcome back, Dave. So sorry to hear you’ve been going through all that. But good to see you’re on the mend. Take care.
Susan
Yes, Susan. It was scary at times, but Poppy now has a new boyfriend parrot and i’m on the mend 😎
Dave
Hello Dave,
I am glad that you are on your way to recovery. That is great news.
Have a wonderful day!
Glad you found out what the cause was and that both you and Poppy are doing great! Good to see you again.
Morning Jeannine. Getting a good home for Poppy was important too. I’m on the mend, but Hypersensitivy Pneomonitis is no fun.
Dave
Yeah, that wouldn't be my first choice for fun either!
Glad you survived such a challenging illness.
Great to see you back, Dave! I'm glad that everything was figured out and that you are now on the mend, my friend!
Jeff
Congratulations on getting better and there is always a positive and sounds like it may just be YOU! I am looking forward to you being back and sharing any knowledge and experience you may have!
Kevin and Son
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Welcome back, Dave. I'm glad to see that you are doing better.
Myra
Thank you Myra. Hipe you’re well too.
Dave