- Aspergillosis
- Interviews
Reneé's interview
How did all start?
Secondary infection post a pulmonary embolism. Presented after coughing up blood and assuming it was another PE.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes diagnosed. A couple of weeks. I was referred to the head of respiratory from my initial presentation in emergency due to my previous medical history.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Respiratory, even for the blood clotting.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Keeping a health diary from the day my pulmonary embolism was found. This has helped me to track and manage my own health with my team (my GP and my specialist).
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Feeling like something else is going to hit me. This has been my third rare respiratory condition (pulmonary embolism, para pneumonic pluratic effusion and CPA).
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family try to make me slow down but it's hard for then to fully understand the situation.
What things have you stopped doing?
Very little. I need to be careful on our farm and cant push myself too hard when exercising.
What do you think about the future?
At some point something will have to be done about it but until then I just keep on going
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
I have a very full life and have a lot yet to come.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Join a specific organisation to progress my career options which is now not possible.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Very busy, nothing stops me even when I probably need to stop!
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Take charge of your own care. Read and explore. Dont take no for an answer if you feel something is not right. You know your body better than anyone else and no one fights more for you than you.
