Quick Update on my Health...January 29th, 2007

Hi All,

Hope you're doing well. Thanks to those who replied back to me in regards to my e-mail on January 25th about my health. I apologize for not individually doing personal replies back yet. (I need to soon!)

I just wanted to give you a quick update. I'll be going to see my personal doctor later today (Monday, January 29th) at 3:15 PM and will have an eye exam on Tuesday, January 30th at 9 AM. Might as well get it all done, right? Besides, it's sort of long overdue...especially the eye exam. It's been since June of 2001 when I last had my eyes examined and was prescribed new glasses (before that it was November of '95 and February of '93)....and it's been since May of 1988 when I started wearing them. No contacts for me....yet. (I really would like to do laser eye surgery...when finances allow.)

As for how I've been over the past few days, I've been okay. Still tired and sleepy at times. No more chest pain or heartburn, with the exception of a brief episode on my right side. I've been doing my usual work schedule...in fact, I even have done a little bit more. I worked on Saturday...and this was the FIRST Saturday I've worked at my current full-time job in the seven-and-a-half years of employment there. I've done other work and things on other Saturdays, obviously. It just seems as though there has been quite a bit going on at work and elsewhere. It's challenging to keep up....not only for me at work, but for other people at my job as well. These past twelve months have been interesting because of a higher than usual turnover rate, especially among some employees with three, four, and up to nine years of service. I'll not go into detail, but it's been full of change at my job.

Some of you suggested to me that STRESS could be my problem...and it probably has been. At my job, maybe??? The photography too?? (No way!) My family? I will admit that I've felt snippy about all of it within the past few days. This past summer was extremely trying with some of it, but that's over now. Fortunately, I will admit that I have not experienced anxiety/worry or even panic like I had in the past to the point of physical nausea and weakness. It's been rare now for a "breakdown" to occur. I think the anti-depressant medication more than likely has helped in that area along with prayers, encouragement, and overall support.

Anyway, I need to go now. I'm tempted to write more, but I won't. Time to go to bed and I'll do just that. I've been attempting to get more rest and it's been successful even though there have been a few times within the past few days which I almost didn't get enough rest it seems and I just felt lazy and not feeling like doing anything, but forced myself otherwise. Ironically, it was hard to go to sleep on Friday night even though I was sleepy. (On Saturday night, I just conked out.)

Thanks again for the prayers and concern. When all is done at the doctor's office as well as with the eye exam, I'll update again. Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Gregory <><

PS - I'm only sending this e-mail to a "few" people...not an extremely large list where I'll have to send this e-mail out more than once.

Prayer Request for my Health...January 25th, 2007

Hi All,

I'm requesting prayer for me...actually my health. I'll spare you the minute details, but I will share some. Lately, I've been feeling run-down, etc....even a little bit narcoleptic at times. But, I've also been dealing with some slight headaches as well as some pain in my upper right chest. In fact, for the past thirty minutes or so (from the time of this e-mail), I've been dealing with some shortness of breath with some tightness in my chest. It feels as though I've strained something, but I think I haven't. I've experienced this pain another time within the past twenty-four hours, but not as bad.

As some of you might recall, I experienced some chest pains in October of 2005 and even went to the ER only to find out I was dealing with stress, etc. My heart was fine....and I went to my doctor after then to be prescribed an anti-depressant. I've been to the doctor for check-ups a few times since and even have had my anti-depressant meds changed. The last time it was changed was in the spring of last year....and when I don't take the meds, then I actually feel rough.

I was out of work for two days last week due to a sinus infection and felt lousy and even dizzy. I usually take my anti-depressant and allergy meds at night as well as an occasional Aleve and even a tablet for heartburn. I will admit that I hadn't experience heartburn (from what I know) until six or so weeks ago. It was horrifying and I woke up at 4:30 AM and couldn't go back to sleep without voicing my discomfort. I really didn't know what to do. That was when I started taking occasional meds for heartburn. I don't think that I'm experiencing that now since the pain is not in the center of my chest...only the upper right. I've already taken my meds...and I'm getting ready for bed. (I almost didn't even want to send this e-mail.)

There are a few other more "personal" health issues (or just plain concerns which don't need discussing due to their potentially embarrassing nature even though they're probably more common than I think) which I'll not share, but have been dealing with on occasion.

I really need to call my family doctor when I get up for work. I'll try to update you when I have the chance. I'm not sending this e-mail to many people...just a few. My "personal update list" had gotten so big that I really don't think I need to send out too many mass e-mails too often...especially more than one a week.

(Actually, my personal e-mail accounts won't let me do it unless I have a shorter list...and there was this while when I didn't feel like sending e-mail, etc.) [Oops, I guess I need to mention that I haven't had my eyes checked in a few years...and probably need to do that soon, too. They've even been bothering me some as well. They might be causing some problems???]

Well, I need to go now and try to go to sleep. Have a great day and thanks.

Sincerely,
Gregory <><