Following my eye surgery, My doctor informed me that my biopsy turned out being non-malignant--Woo-Hoo!....My doctor mentioned that the tumors could have just been a random occurance,OR less likely, a disease called sarcoidosis...He said that is was unlikely it would be that particular disease because it primarily would affect African-American women between 20-30 (I'm neither)....I went for a chest x-ray b/c oddly enough, this disease actually affects your lungs AND eyes...I confidently went for the x-ray, knowing that there was nothing wrong with me....I got a call a few days later and they said that the x-ray was "inconclusive" and they wanted to send me for a catscan...A few days following the catscan, I recvd. a call from the physicians assistant at my doctor's office....She told me that they saw something on my lungs that could be either the sarcoidosis OR lymphoma...She told me so quickly and matter of factly that my heart almost stopped...NO bedside manner whatsoever. They already made an appointment for me to go directly to a pulmonologist for evaluation.
There was no time to even get anybody to go with me, so off I went praying to God that this would all be ok....I got to the pulmonologist and was told that the office was so busy that day that they couldn't squeeze me in...This was a Friday. They made another appointment for Monday...Now the whole weekend was going to go by not knowing what was happening to me. Steve took me to a Yankee game that night and followed that with a weekend in Newport to keep my mind busy....Even with the worry, we had a great time. The following Monday I was diagnosed with the sarcoidosis (I thought, phew! better than lymphoma, at this point!!!) He called it a disease in "slow motion" and that it can actually go into remission. I feel like there is NOTHING wrong with me...I have no breathing issues at all. This was all three years ago, and the only time I give this a second thought, is when I have to go for my 6 month check ups. I refuse to go online and read about this b/c everyones experience with the disease is so varied, nothing is the "norm"..Also, there is nothing I can "take" to make it go away...Nothing I can change about the way I live to make anything different....So why become a "Web MD"???...Last July, My doctor was so pleased w/my breathing tests and miniscule lung change on the catscan that he didn't want to see me again until THIS July!...Now THAT'S progress....I don't obsess over this, I pray that things will be fine, and I continue living and loving the life that I have....I feel GREAT!....So maybe I'll be packin' an oxygen tank in my old age ;), who doesn't have issues?!
Way too weird, my father has sarcoidosis...I remember him being diagnosed with it when I was very young, Kindergarten or so! Back then it was pretty rare I think, but he's been living with it all this time. I'm so glad that things are going well for you and I'm sure it's times like this that remind you to keep living life to the fullest! You really sound like an amazing person, with such a good head on...wise beyond your years!! I have a favorite saying for when times get tough...when life hands you lemons, ask for a bottle of tequila and salt! lol
ReplyDeleteI never even heard of it before I was told I had it....So random, right?...We ARE connected, my friend!....I like hearing that this is something that I CAN live with, like hearing about your dad... As for the lemons...Let's make it limes too, so we can have a proper margarita!
ReplyDeleteWow you are so positive and rational about the whole ordeal you went through. I'm glad to hear that your lungs are fine and that your doctor had enough confidence to wait so long for your checkup. I guess in life we have to be reminded sometimes that we're not invincible, that we are prone to random and pointless occurrences, and that despite it all we'll be OK!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Limoncello is the best! :)
Wow, Adrienne, it sounds like a whirlwind. You are wise to stay off-line about it and continue to live worry free:)
ReplyDeleteHey Sister from another Mister...wanna be my peer edit partner? :)
ReplyDeleteHa! Sounds great!....Do you know what post you are going to spin into your final paper???Also, was there a page requirement?
ReplyDeleteI am going to take my most recent post from today, and turn it into a short-story version. I don't think there is a specified length, but I think she suggested at least 2 pages!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne...I posted the short story based on my blog to the doc-sharing for you to peer edit at your leisure. I wanted to get it done to give you plenty of time so don't feel any rush to get to it! :) Thanks, and happy editing!
ReplyDeleteI read it.....unbelievable....I'll look at it in more detail later though to give you more of the specifics....First thought: amazing story.
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