Better News!

I forgot to mention in the previous entry that my doctor also recommended ibuprofen for hematoma pain relief. Last night, I applied a hot water bottle to the incision area numerous times and also took ibuprofen and I am experiencing tremendous relief. Now I can return to realizing how tired and out of breath I am!

Fortunately, my Cardio-Pulmonary Stress Test is less than two weeks away - Friday August 7th [crossing my fingers for some results that provide absolute clarity].

Good News

The Physicians Assistant I saw diagnosed me with a hematoma. In other words, a little blood has seeped out of the artery's catheterization site and is irritating the muscle - muscles prefer blood in them, not on them. Sitting and laying down causes the blood to disperse and continue to irritate the muscle, so the treatment is hot compresses and walking.

Ouch!

Okay. It's been over five days since I had my Heart Catheterization and I feel like I was hit in the groin with...something one would not want to be hit in the groin with. Perhaps a spike with a Heart Catheter attached to it. Then again, some people might enjoy that sensation. So, I will only speak for myself. I feel like I have been hit in the groin with something I would not want to be hit in the groin with. I'm not exactly sure what I would want to be hit in the groin with [I'll have to think about that], but regardless, I am finding it extremely uncomfortable.

So, I will call my Cardiologist first thing in the morning and schedule an appointment to be seen. Please, please, please only require outpatient treatment. I do enjoy breakfast in bed, but not that much. I would prefer to come home the same day and eat the following days' meals at the kitchen table.

Next Step in the Process

On Thursday, I met with my Pulmonologist. Since my heart is healthy, she sent me to the Pulmonology Lab where I was tested for asthma. The design of the test has the staff attempt to induce an asthma attack. I did not have one, so therefore I don not have asthma.

The next step is a Cardio-Pulmonary Function test which I am scheduled to have in two weeks. This where I am hooked up to every type of monitor known to man and then must pedal an exercise bicycle until my body reaches the point where I am incapable of going any further. Once I reach that point, my doctor will determine whichever organ it was that couldn't keep up with the process. That organ is likely the one causing my extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. Sounds like a real treat doesn't it? Hopefully there will be a diagnosis at the end of this one.


I also met with Dr. Cagir - my surgeon - and I have been approved to begin irrigating. Once the irrigating trains my large intestine, I will eventually be able to go without a pouch and wear something more like a band aid. I am definitely looking forward to that.

Healthy Heart

Well, the Cardiac Catheterization revealed a healthy heart [sigh of relief].

So, that means the extreme fatigue and shortness of breath is not a heart problem. I'm thrilled there is nothing wrong with my heart. That is great news. And part of me was hoping my Cardiologist would have found something immediately fixable, so I could be back to normal.

As you can imagine, I feel a bit stumped as far as what is causing these symptoms. Just last Saturday, I barely got off of the couch because I was absolutely exhausted and couldn't catch my breath and all I was doing was sitting. It's definitely strange and quite disheartening.

It seems as though I am slowly getting worse. Fortunately, I have an appointment with my Pulmonologist on Thursday and it is a benefit for my doctor to know my heart is functioning well because now she can run additional tests that wouldn't be run on someone with a bad heart.

PET Scan Results: NEGATIVE

My PET Scan results came back negative. I have been in remission since April 15, 2009, but as of today, I have been cancer-free for one year.

That was a pretty stressful 30 seconds while on hold waiting for Dr. Sciortino to pick-up. I'm definitely shedding a few tears of joy & relief right now.

Diagnostic on My Heart on Tuesday

On Tuesday I am scheduled to receive a Heart Catheterization which will provide my Cardiologist with 99% certainty as to whether my heart is causing my shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, etc., etc.

It is a pretty routine out-patient procedure. At least as routine as routine can be when a doctor is poking around in my heart! I'm looking forward to...well...I'm hoping they will find something easily treatable so I can return to a normal life.