Let's run some more tests...

Friday - yay! I did make it through my first week back! I woke up feeling a bit chilled and achy, but blamed it on it being the end of a long week and moved on.  I left work at lunch because I had a pulmonology appointment/lung function tests with Dr. Thompson today. I felt exhausted and a bit congested so with an hour to spare before the appointment I went home and rested a while hoping to shake off whatever was slowing me down. 

My PFTs actually went pretty well! When I got back to the exam room and the nurse took my temp, she asked how I was feeling.  I told her I was okay, just feeling a bit drained and congested.  I had a low grade temp of 99.8.  I was so frustrated when she told me.  I had only worked 4 1/2 days and was getting sick again!  I'm so tired of handling this.  I stayed calm though, waited for Dr. Thompson, and heard him out.

He reviewed my kidney function tests first.  The aspirin is so important that we're not going to change anything for now.  He's just going to continue to monitor the kidney function regularly and make changes if things get worse.

He said it appears as though I'm getting another sinus infection.  He seemed as sad and frustrated as I am.  He apologized for not knowing how to help my sinuses and that the surgery didn't seem to help.  As far as the high eosinophil count, he discussed the possible causes and wanted to run some more tests to narrow the field.  He also wanted to check for some other diseases and problems that could manifest with pulmonary symptoms.  He ordered more labwork and said he would call me when it comes back.

Talk about perfect timing and dear friends though ~ this card from Linda was waiting for me at the end of the day. :)

A Long Year

Dr. Olson called tonight and I just broke down crying after I hung up the phone.  She has to have one of the most comforting voices ever.  She was concerned about a report from Dr. Thompson and wanted to check in on me.  She wanted more information.  Through our conversation I found out that my eosinophil count was up to 1000 at my last labs.  That was very disheartening.  I also just found out that my kidney function is elevated because of the high dosage of aspirin I'm on.  Of course she was on top of everything talking about possible plans of action.  She asked me to fax the CBC to her as soon as possible so she could see it for herself.  She also wants me to call her Thursday with the pathology report from the sinus surgery.  The last thing she said to me was, "there are good things we can still do.  I want to talk to you at the end of the week."

My first day at National Jewish was one year ago today.  That's kind of been in the back of my mind all day.  The memories of that first day and week have been popping in and out of my head.  I've been tired back at work this week, but hopeful because my peak flows have been strong.  It all came flooding to the surface when I found out about the eosinophil count.  I know it's not the end of the world by any means.  It just hit me that it's been a long year.  It's just been a long year.  I'm so blessed to have such amazing doctors on my side.