Paul Borders & Bronchiectasis

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Born second of six kids, parents nor siblings have any lung issues.  The bronchiectasis was likely due to an untreated or misdiagnosed lung infection as a baby/child.  Sickly as a baby and child growing up.... Mother always took me to clinics and doctors.  The initial diagnosis was allergies.  Even though I enjoyed my childhood days, there were annual and biannual hospital stays.  Pneumonias mostly.  A Pulmonologist (lung specialist) finally diagnosed me at age fourteen with bronchiectasis in 1973 which was the year I had my first lobectomy - lower left lobe removed mostly due to abscessed tissue.  Second lobectomy in 1975 which removed partial right middle.  Every lung infection I've ever had is unmistakeable and exhibits the same symptoms: headache, fever, fatigue, dehydration, loss of appetite, increased pulse, congestion.  I don't routinely sputum culture, but if there were a problem then I would.  I respond well to broad spectrum antibiotics.  

 

This paragraph veers away a lil bit into a story about my 2nd lobectomy stay in the hospital...  Other than the actual surgery, I always had a fun time while in the hospital.  For one, I would always walk everywhere.  I didn't wear slippers, I wore Converse even while in my room.  I'd finally come back to my room and sure enough, there were pills waiting for me or worse yet, a hospital employee waiting to take me to therapy or x-ray or somewhere else.  Sometimes, I'd be gone so long, you'd hear the PBX (hospital intercom announcer) say:  "Paul Borders please return to your room".  The other fun thing I discovered to do would be to "showoff" my wound.  I'd ask my unsuspecting visitor to come around to my side where the drainage tubes had just been taken out, then I'd peel back the bandage to reveal two fresh holes.  And with a flex and a grunt, I'd squirt my guest with chest juice.  

 

I continued to have lung infections after both surgeries.  Because the bronchiectasis was diffuse (widespread).  Since birth, I've actually had over 50 lung infections.  Both lungs are heavily scarred.  All throughout my teens and on into my forties, I remained active.  I love to play sports and did so on every occasion possible.  Participating in physical activity was my physical therapy.  I never liked taking medications or bending over a board and coughing.  I let "playing" do all that.  And it did.  I lived on a cul de sac with six other boys around my age and we were always doing something... football, softball, basketball, ping pong, riding go carts, biking, climbing trees, roller skating, tennis, volleyball, on and on and on.  I haven't been hospitalized for an active infection since 1988.  As mentioned earlier, I respond well to antibiotics.  And to all treatments.  After 50 something episodes (infections), you know what to do.  But there's always something new to learn.  

 

Up until 2005, I was always "wet".  Meaning I had a productive cough all the time.  And the secretions were always yellow.  A week of intravenous antibiotics in the hospital would clear the color but after a week or two, the color returned and stayed.  I didn't have an active infection, yellow was just the default color.  I made four major changes in 2005... moved to Florida for a year, healthified my diet, starting taking a daily vitamin supplement and began using Advair.  I moved back to Kentucky in 2006, and by that time I had "dried" out.  I don't have that productive cough I used to have and the sputum is colorless.  Up until 2006, I averaged two bronchiectasis episodes a year, since then, I average one or less a year.  I'll never know if it was just one of those things that caused the change, a combination, or all of them. 

 

Up until I was putting this together, I never thought I had a CT of my lungs.  But going thru medical records a few days ago, I read that I did have one in 2001.  I was thinking that one was for my upper gastrointestinal tract.  I've also had three bronchoscopies,  Other conditions I have are scoliosis and spinal stenosis. The curve in my back is at 51 degrees but it's not currently causing any issues.  The problem is the narrowing of spinal fluid around my spine in the neck.  That started over four years ago and is being treated with steroids to manage pain.  The surgeon wants to do surgery as a last resort.  I never married but do not attribute bronchiectasis to staying single.  I've had a number of relationships but much prefer the single life - it suits me.  I'm happier.  I've had a good career at office work.  The bronchiectasis of course has prevented me from pursuing certain jobs like lumberjack or roofer.  I realistically wouldn't be able to keep up with co-workers in those type fields.  But I've been satisfied with my career choices.  I lost some work days of course due to infections but never enough to threaten my job.  There were many days I'd go to work while enduring an infection.  Not while it was raging, but at the beginning or at the end.  

 

I keep antibiotics on hand for an infection.  I have an Albuterol inhaler plus a nebulizer.  The only medication I take daily is an inhaled steroid - Spiriva.  Spirometry (lung function test) is low - I averaged between 21 and 29 for the last ten years.  Five months ago, I blew a FEV1 of 32 ! I was ecstatic. But keep in mind I've had two hunks of lung removed.  I've never let bronchiectasis interfere with my fun.  I likes my fun.  One example is travel.  I've flown to England twice to meet up with fellow Brussites.  I do fidget a lot on the plane.  Can't stand sitting that long.  The only negative is sleep, I usually arrive jet lagged when I get there.  I've also taken a cruise to the Bahamas and have traveled to a dozen States.  All with no ill effects.

 

One time a full fledged raging infection came calling complete with headache, 103 fever, congestion, dehydration and total exhaustion.  It was about 3am and I was out of distilled water and pain relievers.  I have tap water of course but needed to make a store run anyway.  I was sitting in a chair trying to get up enough strength to raise my head.  After about an hour, I could stand up.  Leaning against a wall, I waited for enough strength to actually journey to the market.  I made it to the car but had to stop twice on the way to the grocery for coughing fits which cause vomiting.  The drive had taken all my energy.  After I sat in the parking lot for awhile, I got out and walked towards the doors.  While walking the aisles, I almost passed out.  I've never almost passed out from anything.

 

Well, I got everything I needed and made it home.  Then on to recovery.  And why did I recover ?  Because bronchiectasis pushed me.  It pushed me to overcome it.  I've never had negative results from going beyond perceived limitations.  Only positive.  And I've never gotten an infection or worsened my condition from exertion.  But I have gotten over an infection and strengthened my condition with the help of physical activity.  I am very thankful to the Creator and His Son.