Doctors and Nurses and Tests - Oh My!

Just realized that I've made a couple of "date" faux pas...  and don't want anyone confused... Cancer was first diagnosed end of 2008, not 2009 and the lung thing wasn't actually diagnosed until near the end of April this year...  And so, picking up where I left off... Here's the chronology of my first go-round of tests:


March 25th - Dr. Gilbert – general check-up & first visit for shortness of breath. 
                    Electro-Cardio Gram

 April 2nd - Treadmill Cardio/Pulmonary stress test   

                 This was a sobering exercise.  I'd had one of these back in 2009 prior to having my Tonsil removed, and managed to go to 110% which the Doctor remarked at the time was pretty darned good.  This time I was whipped after barely hitting 20%

                Computerized Breath test - Preliminary to determine future testing regimen 

 April 10th - Chest X-Ray (3)
                  Blood Test

April 14th - CAT Scan w/ Dye injection

April 17th - Walking test with Pulse Oximeter

                 This was walking back and forth down a hallway in the Clinic, probably 150 feet or so, connected to a finger meter. My resting level was 96% and progressively dropped down to 90%. At the 16th lap my Oxygen level dropped to 88% which is evidently the "panic" level and you become highly susceptible to Stroke. Once I stopped however my Oxygen level bounced back up fairly quickly.
                - Exam and Interview with Dr. Sameena Kahn
                She asked about my entire life's medical history, work experience, Family history, looked a little, poked a little and listened a little. She then took a deep breath and proceeded to compasionately explain to me that I had Interstitial Lung Disease, or PULMONARY FIBROSIS (scaring of the lungs) and that it was pretty much irreversible, there is no treatment, no cure and would ultimately continue to get worse. She placed an immediate order for Supplemental Oxygen treatment and said she would like to see me in one month.  In the mean time there would be a few more tests to see if they could determine the cause.

April 18th - Dr. David Becerril – Back Pain. This was pretty much just a general exam as my Primary Doctor, Dr. Gilbert was on vacation...  He just prescribed liquid Hydrocodone, which was fine, but didn't really do much.  Ibuprofen and a massage wound up being the ultimate cure...   


OK, that covers the first set of tests and initial diagnosis.  The next go-around was an effort to determine the actual cause, if any, so until next time... CHEERS!

“One day at a time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” - Ida Scott Taylor