I view my health journey as an unfinished song; all the lyrics are there but, it's just not quite complete. It was not from lack of trying on my part and seeking answers, but due to the unprofessionalism and incompetence from my doctor/s. I am certain that I am not the only person who had doctors that didn't take the time to Listen and seek options towards finding what was ailing me. Doctors who cared enough to help his patient who was scared and suffering.
Between 2007 and 2023, I had 8 surgeries. Two for an Intestinal Blockage, One for the reversal of a colostomy bag, Three for Hernia Repairs, One for the removal of Disintegrated Septic Meshing from my 2007 surgery, and the removal of my gallbladder. The cause for all these operations was a Misdiagnosis from my doctor in 2007 who, rather than listen to me in regard to my excruciating abdominal pain, passed it off as Food Poisoning on 3 different visits to his office.
He was the professional, so I took him at his word, took the little blue pill he prescribed to help my symptoms and went on my way. Three different visits to his office with the same issues and still the same diagnosis from him until, on March 2, 2007, when I was rushed to the ER and had emergency surgery at 1:00 in the morning. Food Poisoning wasn't the cause, it was Diverticulitis, and my small intestine ruptured.
Had my doctor done right by me and sent me for an MRI, the problem would have been diagnosed correctly and with the proper medication, I would not have had these eight surgeries which have continually disrupted my life for the last 18 years.
In hindsight I should have dug deeper insisting he send me for tests or a scan but, I trusted him and expected him to do the right thing. In the last 18 years I was hospitalized numerous times for abdominal problems and at times my life came to a quick standstill.
Fast Forward to April 1, 2023, a new health problem developed after going on a camping trip with friends for a long weekend (Thursday-Monday). Upon arriving home, I woke up unable to breathe and felt a tightness in my chest. Fearing the worst I went to a walk-in clinic by my home. I was put on oxygen and had a scan of my chest. The scan showed an inflammation in my lungs, and it was determined that the campfire logs used at the campground were chemically treated to burn longer, and I was inhaling the toxic smoke.
I was put on antibiotics and given an cinhaler which eventually helped, and my breathing was back to normal. Four months later my breathing was labored once again, and I made an appointment with a Pulmonologist. Again, antibiotics and a stronger inhaler and again the issue passed, until September.
Various diagnoses such as COPD/Emphysema, Allergies. Refill the meds over and over again and still not breathing normally. This went on for months until I decided in March that I HAVE TO BE MY OWN HEALTH CARE SURROGATE.
Having lost all faith in the doctors I had seen, Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Allergist and my Primary Care Physician, I made the decision to research all my symptoms dealing with breathing issues, severe coughing and congestion. While what I researched directed me to possible allergies, other searches came up for lung disease, infections and environmental causes. One by one I read each googled post and on one page there was a footnote about *untreated bacterial infection in the lungs.
Bacterial infections are diseases that can affect your skin, lungs, brain, blood and other parts of your body. You get them from single-celled organisms multiplying or releasing toxins in your body. Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections. They’re often treated with antibiotics.
The first thing I did was research doctors in my area with a 5 Star rating. I read numerous reviews from patients one after another and came up with a list of 5 doctors, finally settling on 2. Visiting the first doctor, all my medical notes and tests in hand, I sat as he quickly skimmed through my notes. Putting the pages down he concluded my problems were Allergy related. He did not suggest further testing and I thanked him for his time and left the office.
Three days later I go the other doctor. Again, I handed him all my notes, medications and sat there as he read. He took his time, read each page and I thought to myself, if he says allergies I'm going to blow a gasket. Reading the last page, he returned to a few pages he had already read. When he began to speak discussing the core of my problem I listened to every word and his findings nearly had me in tears.
"So, I see you were exposed to campfire logs. Tell me the color of the smoke". I told him it was black, something I had not seen before.
"I would guess the logs were treated chemically for a longer burn. If you were sitting directly in front of the fire you could have a form of carbon monoxide poisoning". Yes, I was sitting in front of the fire.
"Well, my friend, from everything that I've read here you were never treated for that. I believe you developed an infection and, left untreated, are the reasons you're having all these problems. I'm going to set up an appointment for an EKG but in the meantime, I'm going to prescribe two medications, each taken for 5 days twice a day. That, if I'm right, will help you a great deal".
We then went over my history and spoke for over an hour. Discussing family, childhood surgeries, depression ...... This man, I thought, is Amazing. After leaving his office I had a sense of calm in that I found a doctor that Listened and Cared about me.
I began taking the prescriptions, Prednisone and Doxycycline. Second dose would be 10pm that evening. The next morning, to my surprise, I had slept for 6 hours, mild coughing and very little congestion. By the time evening came I was breathing normally, no cough and the congestion was all but gone. By the last day on meds I had no issues, didn't need the inhaler, was sleeping a full night's sleep and feeling better than I had in the last couple of years. My EKG is scheduled for this month and my return visit to this doctor right after. He still has concerns about COPD as I was a smoker in the past for 49 years but, right now his focus is on exactly what the next step is, to keep me on a path of a healthy life and enjoying myself during these retirement years.
My EKG is scheduled for May 21st. Hopefully this will give my doctor the answers as to what's going on and come up with a proper treatment, if any.. Fingers crossed.
I feel it is very important to listen to our gut, seeks answers and find the right doctor who will Listen. If it takes weeks, even months to find the right person, in the end it will be worth it. Do Not allow a professional to chart your journey by their direction; you are the owner of Your journey. What I went through could have been avoided had I found a healthcare provider who gave a crap and was not 'on to the next patient'.
Ask the questions. Insist on scans. Be in Control of Your own Health. Don't settle for a baseless diagnosis before all roads are traveled. YOUR Life Can Depend On It!
Had I not taken control of my life, I would have never married my partner of 45 years. Our life together could have come to an early ending and the life we're living now would never have come to pass. I'm Blessed. WE are Blessed.
Married on July 1, 2022
Our Journeys Never End until our time comes.
Getting ready for the nasal balloon procedure.
Useful Blogs
https://tissueandme.com/2025/05/06/be-your-own-health-surrogate/
Diverticulitis
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/diverticulitis-diet