Each day I'm more energetic and more active. My cough, however, persists, and I'm still breathless after climbing a flight of stairs. (I only wish that I was breath-taking, instead of breathless.)
At the risk of inducing naps, I found out something surprising during today's visit at the City of Hope. We have been regularly checking my white blood for eosinophils (EOS), and, of course, expect to find nothing. After all, I've been on a high dose of Prednisone (60 mg.), a steroid that efficiently annihilates EOS.
But, for some unknown reason, mine are on the rise again. Last Monday, EOS made up 10% of my white blood, when it should have been nada. How can this be? My suspicion is that those same EOS have crept into my lungs. I'm scheduled for a CT scan and pulmonary testing on Wednesday and a consultation with my pulmonologist on Thursday. I'm voting for a diagnostic bronchoscopy so that we can get to the bottom of this.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
Darling---you ARE breath-taking! A beautiful woman if I ever saw one!
Am glad you are being proactive in getting this checked out.
Don'tcha just HATE telling the docs "told ya so?!".
Am hoping they have another easy explanation, but understand where you are going with it.
Keep up the good work!
Am taking off shortly to the doc for the start of my next round.
Hoping that you are feeling better Susan C. and that your Thursday appointment goes well! Blessings to you! xo~ PS: Thanks for sharing the crab cake recipes!
I wonder if you could have both pneumonia AND EOS in your lungs? Could that explain why you're feeling more energetic - the antibiotics are helping with the pneumonia? This sounds so much like what you went through last year, it's hard not to think it could be EOS.
I am not getting sleepy. This is not boring. I am glad to know what is going on and how you are doing. I hope you get the tests and treatment you need -- and soon.
Trish, You are too kind.
As for the "told ya' so," I get a lot of satisfaction out of silent gloating.
Trish, Thanks. I'm actually looking forward to my appointments.
Janet, Dr. F. originally thought it was just pneumonia, and now he thinks it's both. I sometimes think, "What does a hematologist know about these things," and then I remember that pneumonia was once the #1 killer of stem cell transplant patients (no longer) and that he still sees a LOT of cases among his patients.
Margaret, He, that's a relief. I was just reading the NY Times Modern Love story about a woman who discovered that her husband had Asperger's syndrome. One of the hallmarks is the inability to tell when you're boring the crap out of someone else with your pet interest.
Good luck with all the test, i know it can be so frustrating, when you know you should be feeling better but you're not...
And I am sure you ARE "breath-taking".
We're at City of Hope today for chemo for hubby, here we go..
have a great day, and feel better :)
I think you know your body pretty darned well by now. (Whoever suggested Fisherman's Friend -- worked on my cold. Thank you.)
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Let's diagnose this thing once and for all so you can be free from it all!!! : )
Hang in there. BTW, your doctor looked very handsome on Farrah's Story. I wish he got more air time. love, nancy
Hi, we love your blog and would like to invite you to list it in our Blog Directory at www.bigblogcollection.com
hi, love your blog...wish others wouldn't spam it!
guess this is what happens to the popular blogs---I've had plenty of people make some interesting comments...sigh!
hope the trip to the doc goes well.
Marinik, I've no doubt that you are beautiful both inside and out. I've been reading your blog.
AH, Susie (who lives in Australia and also had MCL) recommended the Fisherman's Friend. It actually works when my cough is "mild."
Nancy, The plot thickens. I found out today that my EOS went up AGAIN since a week ago. How can this be when I'm on high-dose Prednisone? We're very confused! Can't wait to see my pulmonologist tomorrow. And still voting for the bronchoscopy.
Trish, Yea, all the spam is very annoying. A lot of wonderful people have been visiting since the "blog of note" thing, but the spam comes along with that.
Marcy, Missed you last round. Thanks for the good wishes, my new WV friend.
Hi there,
I've read amazing recovering stories like this.. Friends of mine have went through stem cell transplants for scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases too. I also have scleroderma and I blog about it. It would be wonderful if I could follow this blog.
Emmi from Finland
Emmi, I'm not at all familiar with scleroderma. I'll have to check out your blog to learn more. Thanks for following.
Post a Comment