Jan 01 - 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Jan 02 - 07 …uneventful
Jan 08 - Another Medical Day
- a minor flareup of gout symptoms in my left big toe - took an arthotec, another later in day
Appointment with Dr Lockefeer at 1420-1630 . was able to ride bike to appointment, continuing exploration of emotions associated with the situation….I have always depended on stamina, and hard work in the past, been somewhat skeptical of those in authority positions, and am driven by high achievement standards myself.
She suggests, I may need a controlled baseline of scheduled exercise with medical/physical therapist to try to improve stamina levels, to followup after further diagnosis results expected on Jan 12
Jan 11 - An Anniversary of Sorts
Confirmation of diagnosis of Stage 3b non small cell lung cancer one year ago on Jan 11, 2008 and began chemotherapy Feb 1, 2008, looking forward to a positive outcome! I have been in remission since July 03, 2008 >>>>WOW!!
Jan 12 - A Menagerie of Medical Appointments
First, met with Dr Retera, lung specialist, at 0845 . He checked symptoms, had xray taken and returned to him. No real changes in Xray…the visible pneumonitis is almost clear. I mentioned the recurring episode of gout symtoms, there was no explanation.
The discussion centered on the fast heart rate concern - mentioning the possibility of the lung/heart pulling due to lung shrinkage, but no conclusion. We were waiting on results from cardiologist at appointment later in day.
Next appointment scheduled for March 11
Later at 1620 we met with Dr Fingal, cardiologist. He confirmed that thyroid tests were ok, and that teh 24 hour EKG showed my heart did rest at sleep, BUT the average heart rate was still too fast. The good news is that there is no heart related problems….that the fast heart rate was being caused by something externally from heart. There was nothing more he could do, and we were somewhat dismissed
After further discussion he did prescribe a beta blocker to try…..but it was really not his desire to do so…a furthur appointment was scheduled for April 30
We are now feeling somewhat dubious about the situation, and did some research online about side effects.
We pickup prescription on Wednesday Jan 21, started on Jan 22
Friday Jan 23
- the past weeks activities, along with attending a funeral, have take their toll…I am settled into now fighting a severe head cold that has been gradually developing over the past week……….sleep, drink, and parasidimol have become the main menu of choice…..symtoms continue for another week or more
Thursday Jan 29
Appointment at 0930 with Dr Lockefeer as we continue to address the emotions that are being triggered since the diagnosis of the pneumonitis in August…It has been determined that uncertainty/unpredictability is a primary trigger for my annoyance, irritability, and emotional sadness. It is rooted somehow with my fathers authority figure…which was definitely unpredictable, and the lack of clear opinions being expressed by doctors in the “unknown” pneumonitis and heart pace issues are causing me anxiety….as in - so who is looking for cause? - Do the specialists actually talk to each other? etc,etc
At this point the next step is to follow up with Dr Retera again, before the next March 11 appointmeny, or to check with family doctor for both continuing cold symtoms and to help escalate the heart pace issue.
I have never handled “maybes”well….my unrelenting high standards expect more from professionals and authority figures than maybe!….A trigger that always drove me to participate in changes….rather than waiting for change to happen that I had no chance to participate in…..
Jan 31-– the balance of this month has been spent sharing the battle of the colds….both my wife and I
The reality is I am extremely thankful for my doctors care, and my spectacular recovery so far, also the realization that any life threatening disease forces you to look more closely at yourself, and your needs….Its an interruption that causes pause in your life and a deeper appreciation of your own blessings……………..
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