The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Hello Everyone,
sorry it's been a while. I have been in a bit of shock recently. Several changes one good, one bad, and one is questionable.
So I will start with the bad. I went in to receive my routine chemo treatment a couple weeks ago and I came home with O2 tanks. Yep... apparently my oxygen level dropped down to a level of 88 (1oo is normal) so the Dr. prescribed oxygen for me. Man... what a blow that was. Sooner or later, I knew it was to be but no matter how hard I try I still can't seem to prepare myself for what is slowly happening to me. It is all so hard for me to grasp at times. My lungs are barely 31 years old and they now need assistance to breath. Words can't describe... the emotional and physical feelings that I feel. It is probably best that some of those feelings are kept to myself anyways.
Moving on to the better news. I went in to have my catheter installed. I was all prepped and ready to go... the only thing missing was the Dr. Then he arrived and introduced himself. Began to press all over my abdomen and said lets do a quick CT Scan first. We did so and roughly 5 minutes later the Doc. came back into the room and said sorry but you just do not have enough fluid in you to justify a procedure such as this. YEAH!! No catheter for me. Surprisingly it seems that the water pill the DR. had prescribed to me 2 weeks prior was doing the trick. So although I am at times tied to a O2 tank for air I don't have to have fluid drained from my belly everyweek. I am also much more comfortable and far less bloated.
Last but definately not least my CT Scan. The results came back more progression of the disease in my lung area and uncertain in the liver. After reading the transcription a few times I realized that the radiologist was comparing my most recent scan to a scan that was 9 months old! Immediately the next morning I called and spoked with my Doc. and he said that he would look at the scans and call me back. About an hour later he called me back and said that from his impression it looked as though there had been improvement in my lungs and was uncertain regarding the liver (to swollen.) I was ecstatic. He then said he would have them re-read by radiology. After waiting a weekend the Dr. called me back on Monday and said that the radiologist diagreed and in his opinion thought that there was still growth in my lung area. Though the dr. was still hesitant he said that he had to respect the opinion of the radiologist. Then 2 days later after visiting with the Dr. he told me that after further investigation (of his own) he felt that the radiologist was indeed correct. He then showed my husband and myself the images and it was really hard for us to tell what was what. If there was growth there was a very small amount contained in a small area.
So there you have. Not so good... eh? Though could be worse... could always be worse. Though I have more to say, I no longer feel like saying it, so until next time.
sorry it's been a while. I have been in a bit of shock recently. Several changes one good, one bad, and one is questionable.
So I will start with the bad. I went in to receive my routine chemo treatment a couple weeks ago and I came home with O2 tanks. Yep... apparently my oxygen level dropped down to a level of 88 (1oo is normal) so the Dr. prescribed oxygen for me. Man... what a blow that was. Sooner or later, I knew it was to be but no matter how hard I try I still can't seem to prepare myself for what is slowly happening to me. It is all so hard for me to grasp at times. My lungs are barely 31 years old and they now need assistance to breath. Words can't describe... the emotional and physical feelings that I feel. It is probably best that some of those feelings are kept to myself anyways.
Moving on to the better news. I went in to have my catheter installed. I was all prepped and ready to go... the only thing missing was the Dr. Then he arrived and introduced himself. Began to press all over my abdomen and said lets do a quick CT Scan first. We did so and roughly 5 minutes later the Doc. came back into the room and said sorry but you just do not have enough fluid in you to justify a procedure such as this. YEAH!! No catheter for me. Surprisingly it seems that the water pill the DR. had prescribed to me 2 weeks prior was doing the trick. So although I am at times tied to a O2 tank for air I don't have to have fluid drained from my belly everyweek. I am also much more comfortable and far less bloated.
Last but definately not least my CT Scan. The results came back more progression of the disease in my lung area and uncertain in the liver. After reading the transcription a few times I realized that the radiologist was comparing my most recent scan to a scan that was 9 months old! Immediately the next morning I called and spoked with my Doc. and he said that he would look at the scans and call me back. About an hour later he called me back and said that from his impression it looked as though there had been improvement in my lungs and was uncertain regarding the liver (to swollen.) I was ecstatic. He then said he would have them re-read by radiology. After waiting a weekend the Dr. called me back on Monday and said that the radiologist diagreed and in his opinion thought that there was still growth in my lung area. Though the dr. was still hesitant he said that he had to respect the opinion of the radiologist. Then 2 days later after visiting with the Dr. he told me that after further investigation (of his own) he felt that the radiologist was indeed correct. He then showed my husband and myself the images and it was really hard for us to tell what was what. If there was growth there was a very small amount contained in a small area.
So there you have. Not so good... eh? Though could be worse... could always be worse. Though I have more to say, I no longer feel like saying it, so until next time.






13 Comments:
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Lori of Soulful Studios said...
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amanda said...
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Martha Mihaly said...
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RisingSlowly said...
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Tom Clarke said...
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Post a Commentthanks for the update.
glad to hear that no draining is necessary.
i hope the o2 would come off soon.
always thinking of you dear.
much love, as always
bean
Lori,
I can only send hugs and good thoughts to you for what you've said and have not. I so appreciate your sharing what you are able. You do not know me but it does mean something to me.
Oh...I do know that the oxygen sometimes drys out your nose a bit if you haven't discovered that already. (My own little experience with o2.) Get some saline wash for your nose.
I send you hugs, love and peace.
Lori
Lori, you are in my thoughts and prayers dear....when reading your site and what you found out from the doctors. Ask your doctors about RFA - Radio Frequency Ablation or check this on the internet for medical care - don't know if you'd be a candidate for this or not, but wanted to pass it on to you. Bless you...Arlene (AJ)
Take care of yourself as best you can, in every way. I love you both, even though we have never met.
Hi Lori,
I came across your journal several weeks ago and have been waiting for an update. I'm sorry you have this terrible disease and wish you all the best. I hope writing this journal brings you contentment and a release. Thank you for sharing with others your life. You are truly amazing and more than brave.
Kim
Lori
You are in my thoughts, things not too good for me either. Keep fighting ok my friend
Lisa in England xx
Lori,
I've been following your blog for a while now. I admire your strength and optimism in face of your battle.
Know that we are thinking of you.
I'm glad to hear from you. My heart aches for you as you describe your feelings (knowing that this was coming, but still so unprepared). I can't even imagine how hard this is on your spirit. You sound so strong. I hope they continue to watch your lungs and find out that there is not growth and in fact that things are improving.
My heart goes out to you, again and again...
Always thinking of you, Lori.
X
Lori,
I am trying to think of the right words to explain how touched I am by your blog. Reading about your heart and spirit and love for your friends and family makes me wish I knew you in person.
Very glad that you don't need that catheter. I will continue to wish you peace and love and am really proud of your fight even though I have never met you.
I hope you can both feel all the love and care coming your way. I think of you everyday and hope you are doing well. xox
Hey............
I think this is FABULOUS...lil one!
I am excited for you and Cary going to Hawaii. That will be so much fun for you two.
Take care sweetie.
-Mucho carino
-Much love,
E
Hope you're hanging in there. I hope you can update before I go in for my next (and probably last) brain zap (stereotactic radiation) for brain metasteses on May 8th.
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