Oh, What A Week!

It's me, I'm still here! As usual finding new things to go wrong with me. Why do I do that? If I knew I'd stop!

I've been short of breath all week, the last thoracentecis did not seem to help. Thank God I had a dr appt on Thursday. I got up that day and could barely walk 8' with out being terribly out of breath. I had to take a break 1/2 up or down the stairs. (my bedroom and clothes are upstairs) I have never felt that bad before.

My friend got me into the clinic, I had my blood work done and port flushed. Then I saw the dr.......he ordered a CT scan (for the next week). Thank goodness Carolee spoke up and said "but she can't breath today!" so he got me in that afternoon. On that breezy, cool day she pushed me about 2 blocks over to the hospital to have the test. When we got back to the clinic Kevin was there (after work) so we all piled into the dr  office again. He explained our options, one of which is a pleurx catheter to drain my chest of fluids. While the dr got in touch with the surgeon we walked back to the hospital (Kevin pushing this time) to grab a bite to eat. We got an appt for the next day with the surgeon.

The surgeon is very young and very thorough. She knew everything that I went through since my diagnosis in 2104. She explained what may have happened with my thoracentecis showed us the CT scan, and explained about the drain. My left lung has fluid around it, air around it, it is smaller and doesn't expand. It may be surrounded by a thick mucus fiber which prevents it from working.

So.........Monday afternoon I'm having a pleurx catheter put in. It won't be as bad as I'd thought, I was really scared when dr first mentioned it. But I will be so happy to be able to breath again. The procedure is done with the same local anesthetic as my port placement  and a colonoscopy. Unless something unexpected happens I will go home later in the afternoon. The tube is like an IV tube that will be outside of my body and will be drained as needed. There are much worse things to deal with.

Thursday night I slept really good! Not last night tho, I let the one person who hates me get to me. This woman is refusing to let my step-daughter pick up her nephews for lunch when she comes to visit on Sunday. Jessica hasn't seen the boys since Christmas.

Only one more week to get my port flushed. That is my only plan for today. On friday the chemo nurses gave me a huge piece of birthday cake. They are the best!

Kevin has taken so much time off work to be with me, I feel really bad for his paycheck.  They are short of people right now and he trains the new guys....but he hasn't been there. They are very understanding. We got a nice card and some gift cards from his employer. 

Tomorrow we are having visitors. Monday morning I'm having more company....then off I go to the hospital. 

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. 

Thanks!