Well had the PET scan on Tuesday. No problems there...long time for procedure...injection then wait 1 hour before 25 minutes in scanner. Arms got tired towards end... had to hold them above my head for scan. Little old lady was next...she had extreme back pain. Not sure how she managed. I kept thinking about her during my scan...how would she manage? If she could survive that then so could I.
Got call from doctor on Friday. Good news. No "hot spots" on scan. Still mass in lung. Doctor will look at scan himself and see what he can figure out. Feeling really well except for stupid left rib. Still using inhaler (symbicort).
Went to other doctor to check that out. He felt nice knot on rib where pain centered but we decided xray was not necessary...if broken or cracked still have to let it heal. We will check on calcium and vit. d levels in a couple of months. Just need to remember weakness of ribs and take care. Weight at this visit 129.5 BP 135/88. Can't believe I cracked 130 pounds. Feel great, lots of energy.
Will travel to Houston to see brothers and sister and nieces and nephews on Sunday. Will come back to Covington at end of week. First time to see sister's new house.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Me Again
Can't believe I'm still seeing doctor's for one thing and another.
Had followup chest x-ray since bronchoscopy on 6-30-09 and saw doctor. He still doesn't like the looks of things so I'm having PET scan on Tuesday. Hopefully we will finally see if anything bad is in the lung. Doctor did say nothing fungusey or bacterially had grown in cultures yet and he didn't thing anything would. Can't wait until Tuesday is done. Will not have results for a couple of days after that.
Hubby having more surgery on head for skin cancer. Will need plastic surgeon to repair after MOH's surgery to remove cancer. I told him it should be good...they can just draw up both sides and stitch giving him an instant face lift. He'll look younger than me!
It's hell getting old.
So far I have lost at least two more pounds from last visit to doctor. At Dr. C's I weighed 132.8 on Tuesday. Last time I was there I weighed 134.8. Everything I've lost looks like muscle...lots of droopy skin. Feel very energetic.
Had breast MRI on Thursday. Really funny position...on tummy with breast hanging in little holes in table...nicely draped with sheet. Had to raise up my body to reposition and managed to hurt my ribs again on left side...back and front hurting. This is the third time this kind of thing has happened. Am I really breaking bones or what???
Still working on fixing neck...saw Dr. Ch. today and he recommends Pain Mainagement doctor... maybe injections, we'll see. If that is not good for me probably more physical therapy.
One day I hope to pain free and healthy.
Had followup chest x-ray since bronchoscopy on 6-30-09 and saw doctor. He still doesn't like the looks of things so I'm having PET scan on Tuesday. Hopefully we will finally see if anything bad is in the lung. Doctor did say nothing fungusey or bacterially had grown in cultures yet and he didn't thing anything would. Can't wait until Tuesday is done. Will not have results for a couple of days after that.
Hubby having more surgery on head for skin cancer. Will need plastic surgeon to repair after MOH's surgery to remove cancer. I told him it should be good...they can just draw up both sides and stitch giving him an instant face lift. He'll look younger than me!
It's hell getting old.
So far I have lost at least two more pounds from last visit to doctor. At Dr. C's I weighed 132.8 on Tuesday. Last time I was there I weighed 134.8. Everything I've lost looks like muscle...lots of droopy skin. Feel very energetic.
Had breast MRI on Thursday. Really funny position...on tummy with breast hanging in little holes in table...nicely draped with sheet. Had to raise up my body to reposition and managed to hurt my ribs again on left side...back and front hurting. This is the third time this kind of thing has happened. Am I really breaking bones or what???
Still working on fixing neck...saw Dr. Ch. today and he recommends Pain Mainagement doctor... maybe injections, we'll see. If that is not good for me probably more physical therapy.
One day I hope to pain free and healthy.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Back in town again
Just got back from seeing the PT again. Still doing heat and massage treatments as well as stretches. Still very tender. May be something I'll just learn to live with.
Jim and I traveled to Sedalia, MO, in the RV for the HRRVC International Rally. Good trip...weather was great. Sometimes in the 70's and did manage to get into 80's while there. We took tours to St. Louis, Independence and Kansas City. Loved Kansas City...very beautiful town.
We went up in The Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We traveled in our little pod with three other people. Very interesting...I had to talk all the way to keep from thinking I was closed into a tiny little egg shape. Made the trip up and down safely. View was great from the top. Saw two movies in the Gateway Arch museum area...one on Lewis and Clark expedition (National Geographic production) and one on the building of the Arch. Walked thru the museum as well. Lots to do there. Park area surrounding the Arch is also nice. It is right on the edge of the Mississippi River. We took a river boat cruise down around the area and had a boxed lunch aboard. Later we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse. Good lasagne.
In Independence we saw Truman's library and the 1949 Jail.
In Kansas City we had a guided bus tour of the town. Saw as much as possible in 3 hours. Jim and I had lunch at the Italian Deli in the market near the museum. Toured the museum...very nice. The Arabian riverboat sunk in the Missouri River in 1879 and was dug up (Missouri River changed course) in a corn field near Kansas City. The cargo was recovered and is on display at the museum. Unbelieveable how most everything was intact...dishes, glassware, tools, clothes, shoes, silverware, etc. Everyone should see it.
Got back home and unloaded the Rv that night. Took back to storage next day. Zach was home but only saw him for a little bit...he headed back to BRouge.
Jim and I traveled to Sedalia, MO, in the RV for the HRRVC International Rally. Good trip...weather was great. Sometimes in the 70's and did manage to get into 80's while there. We took tours to St. Louis, Independence and Kansas City. Loved Kansas City...very beautiful town.
We went up in The Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We traveled in our little pod with three other people. Very interesting...I had to talk all the way to keep from thinking I was closed into a tiny little egg shape. Made the trip up and down safely. View was great from the top. Saw two movies in the Gateway Arch museum area...one on Lewis and Clark expedition (National Geographic production) and one on the building of the Arch. Walked thru the museum as well. Lots to do there. Park area surrounding the Arch is also nice. It is right on the edge of the Mississippi River. We took a river boat cruise down around the area and had a boxed lunch aboard. Later we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse. Good lasagne.
In Independence we saw Truman's library and the 1949 Jail.
In Kansas City we had a guided bus tour of the town. Saw as much as possible in 3 hours. Jim and I had lunch at the Italian Deli in the market near the museum. Toured the museum...very nice. The Arabian riverboat sunk in the Missouri River in 1879 and was dug up (Missouri River changed course) in a corn field near Kansas City. The cargo was recovered and is on display at the museum. Unbelieveable how most everything was intact...dishes, glassware, tools, clothes, shoes, silverware, etc. Everyone should see it.
Got back home and unloaded the Rv that night. Took back to storage next day. Zach was home but only saw him for a little bit...he headed back to BRouge.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Catchup
Since procedure on 6-30 I have heard from doctor. No cancer cells in lung lavage fluid. Still growing cultures...fungus or bacteria...will be ready about 8 weeks. Now on Symbicort 2 puffs-twice daily. No side effects.
Saw other doctor for osteoporosis...can now begin taking calcium and Vit. D as required. No blood test today...will repeat calcium in three months. Weight 132.5 at doctor's office. Blood pressure 155/80. Pounding heart beats nothing serious...may be intensified by Symbicort. Will monitor how that goes. Doctor can do Holter monitor for 24 hours if we decide still a problem or getting worse. Sounds good to me...so tired of seeing doctors. I don't know how cancer and seriously ill people do it...Thank God for my good health.
Saw PT today about neck. Treatments (heat and mustle stimulator and ultrasound) followed by gentle stretching (OUCH!). Will continue to gently do stretches for upper trapezius and levator scapula.
Saw other doctor for osteoporosis...can now begin taking calcium and Vit. D as required. No blood test today...will repeat calcium in three months. Weight 132.5 at doctor's office. Blood pressure 155/80. Pounding heart beats nothing serious...may be intensified by Symbicort. Will monitor how that goes. Doctor can do Holter monitor for 24 hours if we decide still a problem or getting worse. Sounds good to me...so tired of seeing doctors. I don't know how cancer and seriously ill people do it...Thank God for my good health.
Saw PT today about neck. Treatments (heat and mustle stimulator and ultrasound) followed by gentle stretching (OUCH!). Will continue to gently do stretches for upper trapezius and levator scapula.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Bronchoscopy
Well today was the day of the bronchoscopy. Trying to discover what the "thing" is in my lung. Arrived at STPH about 7:20 AM. Finished paperwork with admitting and was in the elevator headed up by 7:30 AM. Everything went fast...in room right away. Weight on admittance was 130.2 pounds. Lightest so far even with giant Saucony's on.
Was growing a little worried this morning before leaving home but Pastor called at the perfect time and prayed with me over phone. Calm result. Nothing like communicating with God when worry sets in. I'd been saying prayers myself all yesterday and this morning but there is something special when a friend can pray for me. Thanks Rev. Thank God
Anyway, everyone very nice at hospital and took such good care of me. IV (which I dread) was painless thanks to Martha. Taken to procedure room early (before scheduled 9 AM time) by Nurse Debbie. Really don't like to wait around! Believe worse part was breathing treatment to numb throat...weird inhaling meds and could feel throat "going away". Saw the doctor come in (thank God for him) and that's all I remember (thank God for sedation). I believe I was back home around 10:30 AM and promptly undressed and crawled back into bed for a nap. Woke again around 12:30 PM, took some sips of water and decided throat had recovered and I could probably eat something. Finally had 1/2 sandwich (tuna) around 1:30 PM and feel more back to normal.
Waiting to hear from doctor. Want to talk to him myself...he did tell hubby everything went well and, I think, he sent specimens for lab work. I'll know more when I can ask him my usual thousand questions. As I said before, thank God for my doctor.
Friend is having foot operation today also. Have not been able to get in touch to see how she's doing. Left message on phones...hope someone can call later. Her recovery will be lots longer than mine has been...foot on pillows and such.
Was growing a little worried this morning before leaving home but Pastor called at the perfect time and prayed with me over phone. Calm result. Nothing like communicating with God when worry sets in. I'd been saying prayers myself all yesterday and this morning but there is something special when a friend can pray for me. Thanks Rev. Thank God
Anyway, everyone very nice at hospital and took such good care of me. IV (which I dread) was painless thanks to Martha. Taken to procedure room early (before scheduled 9 AM time) by Nurse Debbie. Really don't like to wait around! Believe worse part was breathing treatment to numb throat...weird inhaling meds and could feel throat "going away". Saw the doctor come in (thank God for him) and that's all I remember (thank God for sedation). I believe I was back home around 10:30 AM and promptly undressed and crawled back into bed for a nap. Woke again around 12:30 PM, took some sips of water and decided throat had recovered and I could probably eat something. Finally had 1/2 sandwich (tuna) around 1:30 PM and feel more back to normal.
Waiting to hear from doctor. Want to talk to him myself...he did tell hubby everything went well and, I think, he sent specimens for lab work. I'll know more when I can ask him my usual thousand questions. As I said before, thank God for my doctor.
Friend is having foot operation today also. Have not been able to get in touch to see how she's doing. Left message on phones...hope someone can call later. Her recovery will be lots longer than mine has been...foot on pillows and such.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Still Here
It's been awhile since I posted on the blog. I've been trying to get over the breathing problems and coughing. Will see pulmonologist today for function tests. Hope something is found so I can treat and get going full steam again.
Also trying to get neck back into pre-pain condition. Had MRI on 6-19. Saw ortho dr. yesterday and was told no glaring serious problems. Will see PT next week to try and get on program to relieve pain, stablize neck, increase flexibility and strengthen. I'm ready to get on with painfree life.
Still (or rather back) to working out as before trip out west. Last official weight (at doctor's) was 133.1. That's with shoes and such. I've weighed myself on home scale right out of shower and it shows 130. I'm very happy with my success and hope to continue, with God's help, keeping the weight off. Weight is probably this low because I don't have any muscles. Need to pump up the weights at the gym. Before now, and still, trying to keep pain away from my hips and legs as well as shoulder and neck.
Said goodbye to friend on 6-19. Robin Childs passed away on 6-12 after long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She is my second really tough friend to beat this disease through death. Robin once told me that death can be the healing from pain and disease. She told me this as we remembered my friend, Mary, who had been praying for healing. I believe what Robin said...trust in God and He will deliver you. Robin has been delivered to God's family in heaven having finished His purpose for her on earth. Remember Robin's faith in Jesus Christ, her faith in friends and family, and her purpose for living those gifts in full view of those around her. Believe me...there is a party going on in heaven right now with smiles all around. What a joyful thought.
Also trying to get neck back into pre-pain condition. Had MRI on 6-19. Saw ortho dr. yesterday and was told no glaring serious problems. Will see PT next week to try and get on program to relieve pain, stablize neck, increase flexibility and strengthen. I'm ready to get on with painfree life.
Still (or rather back) to working out as before trip out west. Last official weight (at doctor's) was 133.1. That's with shoes and such. I've weighed myself on home scale right out of shower and it shows 130. I'm very happy with my success and hope to continue, with God's help, keeping the weight off. Weight is probably this low because I don't have any muscles. Need to pump up the weights at the gym. Before now, and still, trying to keep pain away from my hips and legs as well as shoulder and neck.
Said goodbye to friend on 6-19. Robin Childs passed away on 6-12 after long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She is my second really tough friend to beat this disease through death. Robin once told me that death can be the healing from pain and disease. She told me this as we remembered my friend, Mary, who had been praying for healing. I believe what Robin said...trust in God and He will deliver you. Robin has been delivered to God's family in heaven having finished His purpose for her on earth. Remember Robin's faith in Jesus Christ, her faith in friends and family, and her purpose for living those gifts in full view of those around her. Believe me...there is a party going on in heaven right now with smiles all around. What a joyful thought.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Back home after long trip out west. On our way to Meteor Crater in Arizona we ran into sand storm blowing across I-40. Unbelieveable! Don't know how Jim kept the rig on the road. Had some small damage to the awning but able to continue trip. I-40 shut down for one night so we camped in Flying J. Managed to inhale LOTS of sand and developed some breathing problems which remained for the entire trip. Still having cough but saw doctor yesterday. Weight 133.8.
Enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capitol Reef NP, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Monument Valley, Hovenweep NM, and Mesa Verde NP.
Trip ended on very sad note. My niece, Maggie Brown (18) was killed in a car accident in Indianapolis IN. Leaving Mesa Verde on our way to Santa Fe, NM, we got the news. Cancelled rest of plans and headed straight to mom's in Palestine, TX. Flew to Indianapolis on Monday, 5-25 to attend funeral next day. Still cannot believe.
Enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capitol Reef NP, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Monument Valley, Hovenweep NM, and Mesa Verde NP.
Trip ended on very sad note. My niece, Maggie Brown (18) was killed in a car accident in Indianapolis IN. Leaving Mesa Verde on our way to Santa Fe, NM, we got the news. Cancelled rest of plans and headed straight to mom's in Palestine, TX. Flew to Indianapolis on Monday, 5-25 to attend funeral next day. Still cannot believe.
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