Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs)

Not too much excitement today.  I'm still awakening about 3 am with drenching sweats and cough, but managed to go for a walk with a friend in the rain before my afternoon appointments.

Today I underwent baseline testing of my lung function before getting started on any chemotherapy treatment.  We spent an hour at the pulmonary center at Evergreen where they put me through a battery of tests to see how much lung capacity I have, how much obstruction I'm experiencing and if anything can be improved by a little albuterol (or as the pulmonologists call it, "all better now").  The first test (spirometry), you have to take in as deep a breath as you can and blow until you absolutely have no air left (a lot longer than you think).  You repeat this 3 times to be sure that it's reproducible (and consistent).  The second test, they have you take in a deep breath, breathe it all out gradually and then start puffing little breaths for about 10 in a row.  Then, they close off the air and you continue to puff like that for about 10 seconds (a lot harder than it seems).   Fortunately, I only had to repeat that test twice.  It was done to assess my diaphragm function and strength and see if symmetrical.  Lastly, they did a test where you took in a deep breath and then had to hold it for 10 seconds and repeat it 3 times.  This test checked for the exchange of oxygen and carbon monoxide across my lungs and into my blood stream.    

Once again, good news abounds.  The  tests revealed that all my years of running have paid off and my vital capacity is above average.  It also showed that the obstruction that I'm experiencing is visible on the testing but not materially impacting my ability to oxygenate.  Interestingly, the albuterol helped me only a little with the obstruction from the mass, which is what I expected as I had already been utilizing albuterol earlier in the course of feeling "sick" and didn't notice improvement.

We were supposed to meet with the oncologist after the PFTs, but just before my 4 pm appointment time, I received a call from her that she was unable to get the pathology reports from Virginia Mason (they hadn't quite finalized them).  They were very reluctant to give her any information over the phone and since we can't really move forward until we definitively know what we are treating, we will have to delay treatment a little longer.   Since I have an appointment at Virginia Mason tomorrow morning at 8 am, I intend on returning with those pathology reports at that time.  So, I hope to give y'all more information tomorrow.  It is possible that some of the special tests may take a little longer, especially with the recent holidays.  Nonetheless, I will obtain my baseline cardiac function testing tomorrow afternoon (through an echocardiogram) at Evergreen Cardiology.  I'm hopeful this will look as good as my pulmonary function today.

Once again, Chris, Peter and I were blessed by a wonderful neighbor, Yvette Billbe, for bringing us delicious meals for the past 2 nights, as we have had late and long appointments which has made life a lot easier. We've also been blessed with visits, well wishes and calls from friends and family which is quite touching and we can't express our appreciation enough for all the love and prayers.  You ALL have been so amazing.   THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world.  For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.  – Margaret Mead