Let’s backtrack. Just before New Year’s Eve, I came down with mumps. What? Yeah. Mumps. Got through that, but then a few days later had some odd facial swelling return. And low grade fevers. And fatigue. And loss of appetite. And shortness of breath that came and went. For two months. We tried a Medrol pack. We tried different antibiotics. I saw my primary care doc, an ENT, an infectious disease doc, had a lung needle biopsy, and came up with a diagnosis of Wegener’s granulomatosis. An autoimmune disorder that causes vasculitis. Treatment? High doses of prednisone and low dose methotrexate. Ok, came to terms with that. I had a plan.
I was feeling great for the first two weeks on 60mg of prednisone. But then I started getting some tightness in my chest in the morning. Then, it progressed to off and on all day. The rheumatologist wanted me to be evaluated for PE, so I got chest x-ray. Something was there, but they weren’t sure what. So I got a CT and saw the pulmonologist the next day. Day after that, another lung needle biopsy. The pulmonologist suspected actinomycosis. Bacterial. Curable with a month of antibiotics. Definitely better than a lifelong autoimmune disorder (like I don’t have enough of that with Crohn’s).
I finally got a call back from the pulmonologist with the pathology results today. Lymphoma. I’m not even sure what kind (too many words, too much information to process completely). I do know that this variety is said to be very treatable with chemo. It starts in the lymphatic system, and spreads from there. And that’s all I know so far. Thursday, I see a hemotologist to determine course of treatment (length/type of chemo, and anything else).
So, I had my first major freakout, obviously, and I’m surprisingly quickly coming to acceptance. I’m sure I’ll have more freakouts, but we’ll take them as they come.Meanwhile, I’m REALLY wishing the governor would get those damn dispensaries licensed already.
Original Comments from the CaringBridge Site:
Sending you Rainbows Deb–Blue for Friendship–Gold for Peace, Green for growing in the natural way, and some red for compassion, and strength–Some warm shades of purple, for God’s Glory, and Honestly, I’m not sending you OVER the rainbow–I’m bringing it to you!
—Jo Wilken, April 6, 2015
Stay strong, Deb. You’re three steps ahead of it, and have huge support behind you. Hugs.
—Jenny Murtz, April 6, 2015
Wow…what a journey you have had…and will continue to have. I’m so happy for you that you have the right answer now. Thank you for including me on your journey. Wishing you strength and humor 🙂 for the road ahead. You got this, Deb!
—Lynette Connell, April 5, 2015
Keeping you in my prayers for a speedy recovery!
—Jill Denman, April 5, 2015
I admire your courage and strength as you fight this head on!! I feel honored to be following your journey back to health!! Will be praying for you! If anyone can kick cancer’s a$$ it is YOU! XOXO
—Amy Kingan, April 5, 2015