Catch Up 3

I'm really starting to slip (blog wise) now. I haven't posted anything recently because things are becoming pretty routine and seem hardly worth writing about. I can't believe I haven't posted anything since last Saturday. Now I'm to the point where I can't remember what happened earlier this week.

Saturday 12/13
We drained 230ml. That's 3 days worth or 77ml/day.

Tuesday 12/16
Went to the clinic for my weekly blood test and everything looked good.
We started on our way to Chicago to have dinner with Lois's siblings for her birthday. It was cancelled at the last minute because of the snow storm (about 4").

Thursday 12/18
After 4 1/2 days we drained another 230ml (51ml/day).
Went to a follow-up appointment with Dr. Haasler, the surgeon who installed the drainage catheter. He was very pleased with my progress. He showed us my latest chest x-ray compared to one taken the day the drain tube was installed. My right lung was then restricted to about 30% of the capacity shown in the new x-ray.
I don't have to see Dr. Hassler again until the flow stops and the catheter is ready come out.

This morning we had another snowstorm (12") and I had an appointment for a CT Scan at 8:30 AM. I ended up getting the car stuck at the end of the driveway. Lois and the kid next door shoveled it out. We did make it to the hospital on time.

Things have really been great:
My breathing is very good (without oxygen) and hasn't been this good since, at least mid-september.
My hair has stopped falling out and I still have a thin layer left.
I've been able to tolerate the chemo very well without most of the usual side effects.
The pain meds are doing their job.
I keep thinking that this might be like a car, or computer, that runs great right before it fails.