So many tests and medications... yuck! For quite a few years I did well until in 1997 I got worse and developed lung disease. My breathing capacity is now 30%. It had gone down lower than that. Now I am on Predisone, Imuran, and all the medicines for reflux, blood pressure, and arthritis. Sometimes I don't take any pills for four days then it starts to hit hard. I just get tired of the pills.

I was quite active, loving the outdoors with living in Hawaii and all. But now with the breathing problem...well, it can get me down. One of my favorite things to do was dancing. Early in 1997 I could stay on the floor for 30 straight minutes, and I mean disco type music. Now if I can handle even 5 minutes of any type of dancing, it's a big, big surprise.

I am not really one to moan about it or let it get me down. I don't give my family a chance to feel sad for me. I rarely let them see me down. I am optimistic - that's why I could handle the last marriage break-up I had in 1998. After 20 years my marriage ended... my third one at that. He and I are still best of friends - he just had to get on with his life. Being an instant dad to 2 boys and their adolescence and young manhood was quite a heavy burden. I can't help but still love the man.

That is about it. I need to see the doctors regularly. Boy, I am so sick of the respiratory tests. Oh I gotta tell you, in 1998 my breathing did go lower than 29% and my doctors were amazed I brought it up within a month... I told them it was booze :-)

5/21/01: Hi, this is to update Angie that is me. Well my lung problem has gotten worse. I suffer just to put my trash out. But I still do socialize at some karaoke places and enjoy life. Although I hate not dancing I really enjoy watching people have lots of fun doing it. At least I am able to "dance" while sitting. I don't see my doctors often, by now I seem to know how much medication I need to up or go lower on to make me feel better...if I feel any different symptoms I do go to my doctors. Till today, I still feel quite fortunate and happy with my life. There are so many illnesses much worse then mine, and I know in my heart, that thousands of people young and old have never had the good life that God gave me. To all I pray you have the strength to live with your ailment....I know it is not easy for I do get all the pains too. God Bless!