Right on time

At 7:30 a.m. this morning we were standing at the check-in podium of the National Jewish Health Center; yesterday's dry-run was very helpful. We have come to Denver to visit National Jewish Health to find out more about mycobacterial disease and bronchiectasis, two conditions I was diagnosed as having when I was hospitalized in February, 2013. National Jewish Health is the center for research and education for both of these conditions and since our home has wheels, we thought we would travel here to see what we can learn.

I am going to give a brief synopsis of each day that we spend at National Jewish Health because there are many family members and friends who have asked that we keep them informed of our visit, but, we realize that this type of information is not why many of you read Venturing4th, so we will caption information about this health visit so that if you are not interested, just stop reading when you get to that part.

Two somewhat interesting sights on our trip back from downtown Denver to the RV park.

A familiar name on the side of a moving company truck. (The name is spelled incorrectly - it should be Buhler.)

Just as we were arriving back at the RV park, this mega-rig pulled in. A notice on the cab of the semi pulling the 5th wheel said, "Private Motorhome -   RV Not for Hire."

Day One at National Jewish Health

Jam-packed day with lots of base-line testing and diagnostic procedures. I had blood drawn; my vital signs were taken; then an EKG; chest x-ray; a 30 minute + visit with Doctor Shannon Kasperbauer; another 30 minute visit with "my nurse". Lunch and walk to the local Starbucks. This afternoon there was an hour session with a respiratory specialist. 

With bronchiectasis, clearing of mucus in the bronchial tubes is the cornerstone of treatment. This afternoon I was introduced to this device.

It's a mechanical device, there is no medication involved. Breathing into the device helps to open the bronchial tubes and move the mucus up and out.