Starting in March or so, Bruce developed an increasing severe cough. Cough, cough, cough. You get the idea.
Over the counter cough medicine helped some, but not enough.
Finally, in May, he saw a doctor. Who ordered an xray. Which revealed a nodule in his lungs. What's that doing there?
Medical minds wanted to know. Blood tests and medication showed nothing more.
In the mean time, the best minds in the trailer, i.e. Jenna, uncovered a likely cause. Valley Fever. A fungal infection brought on by breathing desert air. Hey, we spent months in the desert, often breathing the air.
More blood tests, a CT scan, and a PET scan these past few weeks, ordered by an excellent pulmonologist in Longview, WA. Which revealed a history of Valley Fever, inactive at present. Good.
However, additional results still held out the slight possibility of early stage lung cancer. Not so good. [Cue the ominous kettle drums.]
So, what's the plan, Stan?
See a consulting surgeon in Portland soon, to decide on surgery for a biopsy, or wait three months for another CT scan to measure growth.
Faithful readers may send large donations to the newly formed Committee To Send Bruce On A Final Motorcycle Trip Around The World. [No refunds if the lung cancer thing doesn't work out.]
[Note to self: Ask Karl Rove to form Committee.]
It's always somethin'.
Bruce
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From Astoria, OR to Tucson, AZ View cool map "Under Construction"
Las Cruces, NM to Astoria, OR
Lake Tyee, WA to Las Cruces, NM
Yuma, AZ to Lake Tyee, WA via Kansas
Lake Tyee , WA to Yuma, AZ
"Wherever We Drop Our Jacks is Home." We dropped them in Prescott, AZ
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About Us
- Clancy: Australian Terrier, a relatively rare breed in America. Doesn't shed at all, unlike his human companions. Prima doga. Joyful.
- Jenna: Retired school psychologist and mental health counselor. Grew up in Atlantic City, NJ. Compassionate.
- Bruce: retired mental health social worker and computer/project manager. Grew up in Irvington, NJ. Sardonic.
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From Astoria, OR to Tucson, AZ View cool map "Under Construction"
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5 comments:
Your "dignosis" sounds identical to the one I had. They finally decided that I had lung cancer. To make a long story short I had sterioptic radiation at University Medical Center in Tucson. 10 twenty minute sessions. zero side effects and the tumor was gone. Pretty technicians as well. Can't give a higher recommendation.
Doug
Just keep breathing that good salt air! It will counterbalance the dry, desert air (reversion to he mean, ya know). Wishing you guys well,
Rick
Wishing you all the best as previous mentioned in an email. I have informed the forum gang so you have a lot of positive energy coming your way! Please keep us abreast of your progress. And don't forget to let us know when your in Portland town!!! We'd love to see you. We are here 'til Oct. 1. Hugs to Jenna. Tom
My husband was diagnosed with Valley Fever when in Arizona in Mar08. He developed fungal pneumonia and was on anti fungal medication for 6 months. Over a year later he still coughs especially when he's tired. Often Valley Fever fungus will look like lung cancer especially if the doctors aren't familiar with Valley Fever. My husband was lucky that he was diagnosed in Tucson where they knew what it was.
Lots of luck!
Hi Bruce & Jenna, Its lazy Leslie (too lazy to look up my blogger name). Sterioptic radiation sounds like more fun than an anti-fungal for 6 months, hmmmm - like we get to actually choose - LOL ..... watch out for the pretty technicians - look what it did for Gov Sanford..... and that's something we don't want to read about on your blog, day after day after day after day after day (you get the picture)....
Hope my humour hits your funny bone. Good luck with your next xray or tests. Remember to take your Vitamin R (for Rainier), and your Vitamin F (for FUN).
Hugs to you and Jenna - Les
ps - hello from Steve too! :-)
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