I don't think I've missed a whole week on EX since I started here on New Year's Day 2015. I saw my neurologist at 6 a.m. last Wednesday and told him that I had lost my job, and he was sad to hear that, but glad that I'm not giving up. My second interview at the company I saw a couple of weeks ago on Tuesday went very well. I don't know what more I could of done. Of course the recruiter said that the offer to the chosen candidate would "probably" be made early this week and I've slavishly watched my emails, but no notification from that company. Monday was a federal holiday for the, so I'm figuring that set them back. I would just like to know if that opportunity is viable. I have a couple of interviews set up tomorrow and Friday through head hunters, and hopefully the right job will come along pretty soon, and life can settle down for another few years.
I had a fabulous time at the Reunion -- I'm really tired now but I'll tell you all about it in a blog tomorrow. My dress was, just as I had hoped, totally kick-a@@, and if I can think if a way to upload a picture here I will.
I went to Marsha's (my sister's) pulmonologist with her yesterday, and the doctor is wonderful. She's very patient, and has a lovely, caring demeanor. But she was very forthright about the need for Marsha to quit smoking AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The entire week I was with Marsha I tried to talk to her about what she needs to do (nebulizer treatments twice a day, taking the pills prescribed, using the inhalers, not laying down until bedtime, no food or drink two hours before bed. Apparently her upper lobes show significant emphysema, as well as interstitial fibrosis. The fibrosis does'nt actually come from smoking but couple it with emphysema, and it's a serious combination. She HAS TO QUIT SMOKING. She's been cutting down and is down to abou 7 cigarettes a day where she was smoking a pack a day before this came up. It breaks my heart to hear the same excuses I used when I was contemplating quitting. "I have to get my head around this," "this is too stressful a time to quit." "i'll be losing a companion." I thought all of those things. I sent her the Allen Carr book to keep, but she says when she starts reading it gives her a headache. I threatened to read the book to her, but she wasn't impressed.
She was nice and only smoked on the balcony while I was there, but her place, which is extremely clean and neat DOES reek of nicotine. We use her car because she can smoke in it. I tried letting her smoke in my car with the window open and I knew right away it wasn't working. I CANNOT STAND the smell of smoking in my car!! I have finally gotten that smell out of my car and I cannot believe how offensive it is.
So, I know that I can't bully Marsha into quitting, but her doctor said if she doesn't quit and to all the other things she needs to do, she will be on oxygen sooner rather than later. I also have pointed out to her that I was a much heavier smoker than she is, I always said I LOVED smoking and I will be quit 300 days in a couple of weeks. And I am fine. Was it uncomfortable at the beginning? Yes. Was there extreme discomfort a few times? Yes. Was it actual pain? Not at all. Did the discomfort last more than a few minutes at a time? Only once or twice. Did it last all day? Never. And remember, I was the poster-child for a "Happy Heavy Smoker." And my sister knows that as well as anyone. So I can't bully her into it, I can just love her and continue to be an example.
Oh, boy, am I sleepy. I will definitely write more tomorrow. Gotta get to bed now. (I didn't sleep for more than a copule of hours last night, and I'm whupped! I'm glad to be back; I love you all, and I look forward to getting to know the newbies around here!
