Talk to Dr. Akgulian

I spent many hours on the Internet researching lung cancer and oncologists. There are only about 2 dozen oncologists in the state of Wisconsin that specialize in lung cancer. One of them is in Kenosha, part-time, and is part of a group called Oncology Alliance. His name is Dr. Syed N. Haider. Per the Internet he had good credentials and recommendations. He was also Dr. Akgulian's choice.

I figured that I would be needing surgery and the choice of a surgeon was more critical than that of an oncologist.

Dr. Akgulian also told me the name of the cancer is adenocarcinoma. It is a non-small cell lung cancer and is the most common for both smokers and non-smokers.

Call from Dr. Mariani

This afternoon Dr. Mariani called again. He said that after checking several more "cuts" of the pleural fluid the pathologist found some malignant cells (shit, shit, shit). He said he would cancel the bone scan. He was very apologetic. I should have told him that he could call our kids.

He also said that Dr. Akgulian would call me about oncologists.

PETScan

The PET scan equipment is a mobile unit about the size of a semi-trailer. It is at St. Catherine's 2 days every week. In it, I had to sit for 45 min after being injected with a radio active marker. The scan was similar to a CT scan, which involves lying on a table that slides into and out of a tunnel. I slept through most of the procedure.

Later in the afternoon Dr. Mariani called and said the PET scan only showed a spot on one rib and he would schedule a bone scan to find out more about it. He also said the lung tissue biopsies and PAPP smear were clear and the pleural fluid had some abnormal, but benign, cells (fantastic).

YIPEE! We immediately let the kids know the good news.

Bronchoscopy

At Kenosha Memorial Hospital at 6:00AM for the Bronchoscopy and was prepped for the 8:00AM prodedure. The Bronchoscope is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into the lung by way of a nostril. The drug used to dialate the nostrils is actually cocaine. So now I'm a coke head too. During the procedure the Dr. took 2 lung samples for a biopsy and also did a PAPP smear (no comment).

Dr. Mariani then performed the thoracentesis (drainage of pleural space). A needle was inserted through my back into the pleural cavity. Tubing from the needle was then connected to a vacuum container. About 1/4 liter of red fluid was withdrawn. He said that the portion of the lung, that he could see, was clear and that I should have a PET scan. He also said the results from the pathologist would not be ready until Tuesday 10/28. (More waiting)

Georgette said that when Tom had a thoracentesis done the fluid looked like beer.

Call from Dr. Mariana

After spending the weekend biting our nails we finally got the call from Dr Mariani.
He said there was a spot on my right lung (shit). We scheduled a Bronchoscopy and drainage of the pleural cavity for Friday 10/24.

Dr. Visit

I went to see Dr. Akgulian, our family doctor, for a check-up and let him know that Lois thought I might have pleuresy. I then got a chest x-ray and the radiologist, after seeing it, ordered a CT Scan (oh-oh)for tomorrow. Akgulian called me and said that the plueresy diagnosis was correct - the pleural cavity did have fluid in it. He also said he was sending my results to Dr. Mariani a pulmonologist (oh-oh).

Lois and I decided we would prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

The Beginning

I guess I'll never know when the game began. It could have been 2 months ago or 5 years ago. At some point a cell in my lung decided that it wanted to be different from its colleagues and chose to mutate. The number of its descendants reached the point where they were becoming a nuisance. The first symptom was a slight pain in my right shoulder every time I would inhale quickly.

The roller coaster ride of tests and procedures began then. We've tried to keep friends and family informed of the latest results but sometimes it becomes a hassle. Lily suggested that we start a blog to keep people updated.So here it is

Some of the posts are back dated to keep things in chronological order.