Update 7/22/16

I saw my pulmonologist yesterday and after getting a new chest x-ray she said progress is being made, but slow. She said, "That was a nasty pneumonia." She'll be renewing my antibiotic for another 3 weeks which will hopefully be the end of it.

She also cut my oxygen by 2/3. I think she dislikes it more than I do. So today when I got up, instead of putting the oxygen on I left it off. I went to breakfast with a client and took it along,, but didn't put it on. I haven't had it on all day. I'm a bit uneasy on my feet but haven't tripped or stumbled or thought I was going to, so I'm going to see how long I can go.

I still have no energy and am a bit weak, as I have been for weeks, so we'll see. Also, I don't seem to be getting any more bruises and the ones I have are fading slowly. Maybe my hemoglobin is rising. We'll see.

That's it for now.

Medical Update 7/16/16

Met with my internist yesterday and it looks like good news for a change.

Recent tests confirm no recurrance of lung cancer and no indication of any others, including bone marrow. New antibiotic seems to be doing its job and the expectation is that by the time i am finished with it (on the 25th) I should be done with this long ordeal. We'll see.

The question of oxygen doesn't seem to go away and he said pulmonary rehab may be in my future. It's a few visits to RIC with exercises etc. He said it's not prolonged, just designed to support my overall condition. Between the cancer 17 years ago and this protracted pneumonia it may be a good course of action.

I see my pumonologist next Thursday and my internist again in a month. The word is my oncologist is bored with me. What could be better.

Til next time.

Medical Update, 7/8/16

Here's the latest in the 11 month saga.

I DON't HAVE TB!

I do have something infectious in my lung, though and they  are running cultures on my sputum to get a better handle on what it is. They are also testing to see if there is any indication of new cancer. It isn't suspected, but if they can rule it out they will. There will be results, maybe as early as Monday.

I am on a new antibiotic, since it isn't TB, but with that I get to take Probiotics. One more thing.

Also Dr. Mikes, my pulmonologist wants me of oxygen in the next 2 weeks. I see her again on the 21st. There's some good news.

I feel better in some ways today, although extra energy isn't one of them. My friend took me to Walgreens to pick up a scrip and my probiotics and brought me back home without taking the oxygen. AND i felt fone during and after the trip. INTERESTING.

That's it for now. More when there is more.