Animator. Director. Artist. Scapegoat.
What’s a good shorthand for bronchiectasis sufferers? People with Crohn’s disease are sometimes called Crohnies. I suggest people with bronchiectasis should be referred to as Bronchies. That of course suggests images, so I drew two:
Until recently bronchiectasis was classified as a rare disease. The symbol of rare diseases is the zebra.
You’re welcome.
For my 57th birthday I got a diagnosis of Bronchiectasis, a chronic incurable lung condition often associated with Crohn’s disease.
In addition to coughing for the rest of my life and being extremely susceptible to infections, there’s the problem of pronouncing it. The syllabic emphases are like “bronchi-ecstasy,” although it is in fact bronchi-agony.
Or, as my friend Caroline called it, Brontosaurus Ecstasy:
A week ago, the day after my birthday, I went to “Convenient Care Plus” because my pinkeye and nosebleeds had returned and my cough never left. They gave me a CT scan which revealed calcification of my airways. I was put on new drugs, and although I am still miserable the pinkeye has gone away and the codeine helps me sleep.
Appointment with pulmonary specialist is in about 2 weeks. I wish it were sooner but that’s what they got.
As I wrote on Xitter:
My job is now being sick, and I’m being sick like it’s my job. I ROCK at this. So many symptoms, so many serious disorders. And I just don’t recover! Shows real commitment. I excel.
Well it’s been a full month since I posted this, and I’m only sicker now. More than 2 months of coughing, plus conjunctivitis and nosebleeds. Just started my second round of antibiotics.
More pix to come, I’m sure.