Monday started off with realizing around 8:30 in the morning that I had pleurisy. I was able to get in to see the doctor right away. My breathing was very labored and the pain from the pleurisy pretty bad. My oxygen and heart rate were not terrible but not great either. After Dr. Voegele was done with me he sent me home to meet Mike and off to ER we went.
I had blood work to check that I didn't have blood clot, a chest x-ray, which apparently wasn't great looking, and then a CT scan of the chest. My right lung came up almost completely white, which to the ER doc signaled a mass. We listened to his report intently and calmly, and I promptly fell apart as soon as he left. Thankfully after a call to my oncologist, he was given more information on my history of the right lung. It was later determined by Dr. DiCarlo that the hilar lymph node in the chest which has shown activity for some time is now growing and is pushing on the right side of my bronchial tube and obstructing the air to my right lung. The lung is almost completely collapsed. Thankfully I did not have to be admitted to the hospital, but it felt like I had been after seven hours there.
Today I saw Dr. DiCarlo. We have to reduce the obstruction and stop the lymph node from growing. So, I start chemotherapy on Thursday morning, April 7. I will have a drug that shouldn't make my hair fall out, make me sick, and will be generally tolerable. Treatments will be every three weeks (how many I don't know). The doctor expects the tumor to shrink quickly, hopefully within the first three days after the first treatment. If it doesn't, he may have add another chemo agent. I will keep you posted.
I may also be seeing a pulmonary specialist in Santa Barbara and will find out more on that after Dr. DiCarlo has had a chance to talk to the other doctor. Mike, the kids and me are doing well. I'm grateful for the ability to have treatment. Even the steroids I'm on again I'm looking at in a positive light because they will help take down some of the inflammation in the lung and irritated bronchial tube. Prayers are always appreciated. This too shall pass.
Hugs to all.
Shannon
3 comments:
Prayers are being lifted up for you Shannon. Your grace through all of this just reflects the grace of God in your life. Love you - praying.
Katie
Praying, Sheila
Oh sweetie, another phase in your journey. I know that you may not always feel like you are strong and that is ok, but I see your strength. Strength in the Lord, strength in your treatments and positive thoughts that this too shall pass. I see you as an amazing beautiful woman who has soo much to offer others, and God uses you daily with your faithfulness and encouragement to others. Chin up honey, you are always on my mind and in my prayers! Love you, tear drops...Katrina
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