CT Scan results-11/05

Yesterday, I went to see my doctor about the CT scan I had on Monday.  It's not the greatest news but it's not the worst news either.  I have been getting out of breath after exerting my self over the past week or so.  I thought I might need another transfusion.  My oncologist said that there are new abnormalities on the periphery of my lungs and that is why I am getting out of breath.  He said that he honestly did not know what it is.  It could be a side effect of one of my chemo drugs.  He said that it is definitely not a new cancer, and that he did not believe that Hodgkin's could come back that aggressively after such an aggressive treatment.  But since I never presented like a typical Hodgkin's patient, he though I might need another lung biopsy to be sure.  He called a pulmonary doctor in Sloan and she was able to see me at 2 o'clock.  She wanted me to have a pulmonary function test, which I did at 11 o'clock.  On this test, I did slightly worse than I did in July, but that is still much better than the one I took in February.   So all morning I was upset because I thought I might need surgery again.  But the pulmonary doctor is very sure that it is inflammation caused by one of my chemo drugs.  She is putting me back on prednisone (40 milligrams a day) and will decrease that by 10 each month until my lungs heal.  That is nothing since during my treatment I took 180 milligrams a day.  I never liked taking it, but it is much better than surgery!  So, the 29th of November I will repeat my CT scan and on the 30th I will repeat the pulmonary function test and see the pulmonary doctor.  As for the nodule on my thyroid, my oncologist says that we will check it after this is all cleared up.  But as far as treatment from him, I am finished, so that is a good thing.  Of course, I will always have to go for periodic check ups, but that is to be expected.  

Other than the getting out of breath, I feel fine.  I was very proud of myself during the pulmonary function test because I had to go up and down stairs for a minute and a half and the lowest pulse-ox reading was 95%!  That is way better than March when walking on flat ground it dropped to 78%.  So until the prednisone kicks in, I will take it a bit easy.  When I feel better, I will get back to my exercising to build up my strength again.  What a rollercoaster!  And I like rollercoasters but I can't wait to get off this one!  

It's funny when you write an entry in the AOL journal because you can pick a mood from a drop-down menu.  You can't type one in if their selections do not fit what you are feeling.  So what is my mood?  I am very happy and grateful that my chemotherapy treatment is over and that it seems I won't need another lung biopsy.  I am a bit dissappointed that the medicine had this effect on my lungs.  Yet, every chemotherapy drug I was given had it's risk factors and could have affected every major organ in my body.  So, inflammation in my lungs is not the worst thing that could have happened.  And I admit, I am tired of going to the doctor each time and them finding something new.  For once, I would like them to say your tests are good, we'll see you in a few months.  But I won't complain because there are people so much worse off than me, and I know the day will come when the doctor does say that to me.  I just have to keep on going and be patient.  So, I picked "hopeful" today because I am feeling so many things and I think the overall statement I need to make is that I haven't lost hope.  

On the lighter side, here is a "hair report".  Yes, I am obsessed with my hair growth!  It's been a little over a month since my last chemo treatment.  Alexis (the wig lady) says that the hair starts growing about two weeks after the treatment ends.  I examine my head constantly for growth and was disappointed at first.  But now, I am glad to report that there is visable growth of nice thick dark hair-yay!  I am approaching crew-cut length.  My eyebrows have really filled in and my eye lashes are coming back as well.  

Tomorrow is Steve's 20-year high school reunion.  (Are we that old already?)  Since we went to the same high school a year apart, it's fun for both of us.  So we are going.  I feel great, I look pretty good considering what I've been through, and I think we have good reason to celebrate-so why not?  It should be fun.