The begining and how April 29, 2011 changed my life.

Ok, I've had to recall this again. Please keep in mind it's my best under the painkillers they have me on. But, i believe it to be fairly accurate.

At the beginning of March 2011, I got an intestinal virus.  I wound up in the hospital during my third day of it to get fluids. While i was there, they informed me that I could wind up with some sort of bacterial infection. They said that was rare. To which I thought to myself for a brief moment, " Crap, I'm rare." Then I let the thought go. I went back to work the following week. I felt better, but was still nauseous. 

The nausea went away the following week, slowing the coughing, itchy throat and congestion began.   I wound up in a local clinic to where they just treated my symptoms.  Told me if things continued to see my GP. I already had an appointment with my GP.  When I got there, he was sick and i wound up seeing one of Physicians Assistants.  She gave my antibiotics, meds for cough.  I finally saw my GP the following week. He was convinced it was allergies, and gave me a steroid shot. I still continued the antibiotic. ( As anyone knows you always finish those off ;)

The following day I couldn't breath very well and the electricity was out at my GP's office. CLOSED!  I went to a local clinic where they told me to continue what I was doing but gave me an inhaler. 

The following week,  I called my GP knowing I was going to WV for Easter the next week.  Told them I wasn't feeling well.  They mentioned giving me Z-pac and seeing if that helped,  and if it didn't I would need a chest x-ray. I hung up the phone. I was super tired of dealing with the cough, conjestion, lack of appetite and fatigue. I called back asking for the chest x-ray. I went in that day.  I got the x-ray. My GP took a look and with a surprised look on his face stated, "Impressive!" I said,"what?" He stated I had pneumonia in my right lung!  After stating he wanted me to check back in with him Monday, he then changed some of my meds, gave me an antibiotic shot and sent me on my way. I also asked him if i should still be working.  He stated you have been this far. True dat.

Monday, I went in again and got another x-ray. Not much had changed.  He then sent me for a CT scan.  Upon completing that, I asked the tech how it looked. She had nothing other to say really than "Icky-poo!"  This is a new medical term, in case you were wondering.  My GP's office called soon after and stated that they wanted me to see a Pulmonary specialist. They would call the following day with the doctor and appointment.

I saw the Pulmonary Dr the following day. He said I had an "Atypical pneumonia with an inflammatory process. He changed my meds AGAIN.  I made an appointment to come in when I returned from WV.

The next day, I headed to WV.  I overdid it for the first few days, and rested the remainder of my visit.

The trip home was long. I found myself becoming even more sensitive to smells. 

So, I headed to the Pulmonary Dr and they did another x-ray. Again, not much had changed. The Dr wanted me to have a bronchoscope. Then he was going to admit me to hospital. 

The procedure wasn't bad.  The following day we got the news. Very briefly, very abruptly! He introduced himself to my parents. (They headed out early the day of the procedure to be there for me. I am so blessed in the parent department.)  He stated that through preliminary tests they discovered that I had lung cancer and that the oncologist would be in to speak to us soon. Say what?

So, that was the story of how April 29, 2011 has changed my life.  More very soon! I need to locate my Macbook charger :)

~K*