Slight, modest is better than...

As you know from my most recent post I had a number of medical appointments this week.
On Tuesday I saw Dr. Cohen and she was really pleased with how my lungs sounded and the improvement in my overall strength. She believes this is from the pulmonary rehabilitation and I have to agree. Exercising three days a week for two hours has to have some positive effects. Yeah me! I am getting stronger.
On Wednesday I saw Dr. Adl. She was also pleased with my breathing and how my lungs sounded. Clinically I am doing great.
Then there is the results of the Pulmonary Function Test and the CT Scan. Dr. Adl used words like "slight improvement" and "modest change" followed by "not what I was hoping for" and "I expected more" and "don't be discouraged". Although this isn't great, it is better than words like "progressed" or "advanced".
She told me she would be in touch with Dr. Cohen to discuss another course of treatment and one of them would call me.

Late yesterday afternoon I received a call from Dr. Cohen. She had spoken to Dr. Adl and apparently it's time to "put the gas peddle down" with regards to the treatment of my lungs. She said treating my lungs will take priority over treating the myositis. Together they decided to add to the mix of medications I currently take a drug called Cytoxan. Don't look it up.
Today I will meet with Dr. Cohen to get the information on the drug. I won't start it this weekend because I am going to be in Eagle River and the side effects can be unpleasant. I also want to talk to my internal medicine doctor because I am starting to feel a little overwhelm processing this information. Basically I want/need someone to look at me as a whole person. Specialists are great and I hold a tremendous amount of confidence and respect for the doctors I am working with but one has my lungs as her special interest and one has my myositis as her special interest and I need someone to "quarterback" for me now.

I asked for a copy of the Mary and Martha sermon and I wrote down the close in my book of quotes. It's one I am holding on to very tight right now.

"Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you. In that peace and joy, you can let go. You can let go of worry, the fear, the stress. You can lay your burdens down and let Jesus carry them awhile. So lay them down and listen... because Jesus is speaking...to you. And that is the one important thing needed. Amen."