National Jewish Health

I am a week late posting this but to let you know how my pulmonary appointments went last Friday, they went as well as could be expected. My lung capacity remains at 42%, which isn't good but at least I am stable. The doctor also told me I do have air trapping in my lungs, which he said would account for the heavy, tightness in my chest.

The doctor, David Schwartz, did some of his training at the Fred Hutchinson and still has good friends there. So while I waited, he went to his office and called his buddies about my case. I was impressed with the quick and direct feedback. So they at the Hutch say I am on all the correct medications for bronchial obliterans (BO), which they called the PFAM program for chronic graft versus host disease (C-GVHD) of the lungs. Prednisone (steroids), Fluticasone (Advair inhaler), Azithromycin (Zithromax antibiotics), and Montelukast (Singulair). They (The Hutch docs) said I will need to stay on the PFAM meds for a year, then discontinue one of the four, wait six months, discontinue another med, and so on. Meanwhile, I am on oxygen as I need it, which is during and after any exertion and while sleeping. The doctor also recommended I get a pulse oximeter so I can keep tabs of my oxygen saturation during rest versus exercise and to compare how I feel to my oxygen levels, etc.

So, I think that is about it regarding the appointment. I do want to thank my buddy Mike W. for driving me to Denver and being there for me during the consultation. He is a great guy and a very good friend. He is still on active duty in the Navy but is planting his roots here in Colorado Springs for retirement. I also want to mention that my appointment at National Jewish Health was impressive. I liked the staff and the facilities and every appointment was ON TIME! I'm not kidding either.

On a lighter note, today I took my two younger boys to the Air Force Academy for bowling. We had a great time as usual but what was amazing was my bowling. My second game I bowled four consecutive strikes plus another three during that game. My personal best as well as the score - a 190. I don't bowl but I guess the ball I was using was magic. The bowling did tire me but I kept the oxygen going between bowls.

Well that is it. I have to get back to my research paper. If I didn't mention it before, I am working on my graduate degree online with University of Maryland University College.