A lot to update

I apologize for not updating sooner. I have had an interesting few weeks.

Two weeks ago I spent most of the week working at the pool or sleeping. I had a Complete Pulmonary Function test a week ago Monday after my last chemo. My lung level was lower than normal. I was also lucky enough to get my favorite shot and a CT Scan on Monday afternoon. The end of last week I called my oncologist because I still had a bad cough and shortness of breathe.

I then was given a Respiratory Doctor and met with her on Friday. Dr LeClaire from Respiratory Consultants. And boy did things happen fast. I had a CT Chest scan on Monday June 22 (they found nothing), I was also given the news on Monday that my oncologist has left the office and I was given a new one. Then Wednesday I spent most of day at North Memorial having a Bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheostomy. This allows the practitioner to examine the patient's airways for abnormalities such as foreign bodies, bleeding, tumors, or inflammation. I had some side effects from the Bronchoscopy similar to chemo. That test came back a little abnormal but nothing major. I did have some problems with my oxygen level and heart rate. My resting heart rate for about a week was 124.

Today Dena and I first had a Echo gram (that came back a little lower then normal but nothing major) my resting heart rate is in the high 90s, follow that by meeting my new oncologist (Dr. Larson) completely different then my other doctor, and ended my day with Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan and a chest x-ray (good thing they found nothing). Right now they are thinking my cough and shortness of breathe is a reaction to my chemo.

Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan
What is it? A lung scan provides your doctor with images that show both the blood supply and the air supply to your lungs. The scan actually occurs in two steps. Blood supply—perfusion— is captured in the following way:

1. The technologist injects the radiotracer into a vein. A radiotracer is a compound made of a radioactive isotope and a pharmaceutical agent.
2. The radioactive isotope releases energy, and a special camera creates an image from it.
3. The image shows how the radiotracer is distributed in the blood vessels of the lungs.

Air supply—ventilation—is captured in the following way:

1. You breathe from a mask for several minutes. The gas mixture includes a small amount of a radioactive isotope of xenon (an inert—not chemically active—gas).
2. The radioactive isotope releases energy, and a special camera creates an image from it.
3. The image shows how the radiotracer is distributed in the lungs after normal breathing.

What is it for? A lung scan is generally used to detect pulmonary emboli—blood clots, air bubbles, or other foreign bodies—which can block the vessels that supply the lungs. Again, this test did not find any issues.

I have done some fun things in the last two weeks. My cousin Adam Schieck got married to a beautiful bride Katie Lewis in Park Rapids last weekend. It was nice getting away for my first time since chemo started even though I coughed like crazy. For Father's Day (my dad and I) went to Wetterlunds to see Rueben who was going to be home from Iraq but instead we got to hang out with Rolly and Sandy. Iraq was having dust storms so Reuban couldn't get home. I also have worked at the pool and even taught a few parent child classes in the evening with Mackenize who has done a nice job of teaching when I'm busy coughing.

Next week I have a PET Scan on Monday and on Wednesday morning I meet with the Radiologist for the first time. I have been very lucky to have a very understanding boss since I don't really get to pick when I have my lovely tests and doctors appointments. And I also have people more then willing to work for me especially when I have a nice shift like 5:30 or 6:30 am (I love that shift but most people don't).

Hopefully the cough goes away on it's own as the chemo drugs work their way out of my system. And then we'll have a new treatment plan after the appointment on Wednesday.

Have a wonderful weekend
Anna