Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Doctor, Doctor, Give me Part Two

So, I drive up to Newport News today, and traffic is pretty clear (surprisingly enough) so I end up arriving about 40 minutes early. You know how it goes, if I don't plan for traffic, there will be tons and I'll be late. I went over to the bookstore and picked up Twilight, which everyone has been raving about recently, and another trashy romance novel, then wandered over to my doctor's office.

I should have showed up slightly earlier, as it turned out. One of his patients had gotten confused as to when his appointment was (at 11:00am) and I could have taken his and let him come in late and take mine. Ah well.

Got called back in fairly quickly (only 5 minutes past when my appointment was scheduled) and his assistant weighed me in. 168, according to their scale. Have I mentioned how much I love their scale? My doctor came in and flipped through my charts. Last year, on his scale, I weighed 227. That's a ~60 pound loss in about a year's time, although I didn't actually start my eating plan until January.

He went over my most recently blood work with me, and compared it to last year. Cholesterol is good, white blood cell count is great, A1C is great. My breathing test gave me the lung capacity of 120% normal.

"Well," he said, looking over my charts, "I don't see any reason why you should remain on those long-acting control drugs any longer."

I blinked.

"You're not asthmatic anymore. There's nothing wrong with your lungs. I'll give you a sample-sized albuterol inhaler for the next two weeks, just in case, but I don't think you'll need it. If you're using it more than 2-3 times a day in two weeks, call me and we'll rethink this, but it's really just a precaution at this point."

I think I surprised him when I burst into tears.

This is, honestly, the best news I have had in years.

20 comments:

Felicia said...

WOW CONGRATS!!! That is just WONDERFUL news!!!

*huggles*
=0)

Lainie said...

Wow, that's awesome news! And such awesome weight loss this past year, too!

Lora said...

Wow! There are so many benefits to weight loss beyond the obvious!

new*me said...

super, super news!!! Way to go Lynn :) I know that is worth it right there!

Anonymous said...

That's AWESOME. And, as a fellow asthmatic (but no where near as serious as your's used to be), I actually wondered if that was a chronic condition that could be diminished with weight loss. Thank for providing the terrific answer!

Slenderella said...

Celebration time, that is wonderful!!!! Let's hear it for health!

Christa said...

I just found your blog and it's a great read! Good news for your health!

SeaShore said...

Awesome!! That's just awesome! Congratulations!!

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

That is absolutely freekin' fantastic news! Congratulations. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall to see your Dr's face when you burst into tears. They are so very rarely at a loss. :)

Again, wonderful news!

Anonymous said...

BEYOND a big NSV.

life changing.

Anonymous said...

Congrats!

I'm SO jealous - I've tried weaning off the long-acting control drugs but alas, my lungs don't like it so much.

This is definitely GREAT news!

Anonymous said...

Well, I just burst into tears too. Well, okay, I definitely teared up anyway. I am SO happy for you.

This is such an amazing testament to how changing your lifestyle will change your life. Asthma is a big reason why many people never try to get healthier; I'm overjoyed at how you're proving that (a) it doesn't have to stop you; and (b) getting healthier can be the answer to the problem to begin with. To beat something that has been a part of your life for so long, and that you'd probably never even thought could BE beaten...absolutely splendid.

And now we shall do the dance of joy. :-) Oh, and can I just say:

60 pounds. WOW. You so rock.

V.

Anonymous said...

congrats! I'm not opposed to medications/drugs but getting off of something b/c you improved your health so much that your body doesn't need it anymore is such a wonderful accomplishment. Be proud, breathe well and smile!

Diana Swallow said...

WOW!!! SO worth the gas money and travel time to get there to hear this fabulous news! I'm so happy for you!

Anonymous said...

WOW, that is amazing! Congrats on the HUGE NSV! I am so happy for you! =)

ptg said...

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! That is not good news, that is not awesome news, that is awesomely amazing news! That is fantastic and I know that we're all so incredibly proud of you!

Donnalouise said...

AMAZING!!! How great you must feel! I am thankful that I didn't have any health issues besides being obese. You go girl!!

Anonymous said...

Im back :)
I saw your comment about not owning a scale and shouted AMEN from my office.

if youd ever wanna do a short guest post or email I could post about that Id be HONORED.

Natalia said...

CONGRATULATIONS! That is awesome!

kikimonster said...

First off *big hugs*!!!! You rock my world!!!! I have a sample albuterol inhaler that I get every year at the doctor's office because I'm a big baby like that and I need my security blanket. I seriously only use it when I'm near a herd of cats. ROCK ON GIRL!!!!