I guess chemo wanted to have one more parting shot at me. I've probably been battling this for a few weeks now but the doctor kept saying my symptoms (shortness of breath, slight chest pain) were side effects from the chemo. I should have insisted on getting things checked, but I wanted to believe her.
However a couple days ago I started to run a fever on and off and I realized that can't be good. The nurse practitioner thought ruling out a pulmonary embolism would be a good idea due to my genetic history and the CAT scan showed I have pneumonia instead. I should have listened to my gut and been more proactive.
I'm on antibiotics and resting...feeling pretty miserable. But compared to the last time I had pneumonia 9 years ago, this is a picnic. Although the end result last time was hard to beat :)
One thing after another on this journey, huh? It's almost hard to fathom. Yet recently there have been a few women I know of in the breast cancer community that have received more troubling news of varying degrees. So when I went back to the doctor's office after learning the CAT scan showed no blood clot and the doctor greeted me with, "As you know there's no clot, but we did see a little something on your lung," I totally froze and immediately thought the worst --as in lung metastasis. When he then said the word pneumonia I wanted to kiss him...or kick him, either way, I was relieved.
So I'll take pneumonia. I'll take SVT's and necrosis...I'll take all the lousy side effects chemo has plagued me with. I'll even take lymphedema (reluctantly). Yeah, I know, it doesn't work that way, a lesser evil today doesn't mean I get a pass on a greater one around the corner. But right now I'm actually feeling pretty lucky to have pneumonia. How often can one say that?
12 comments:
You're awesome. Happy Mothers' Day.
I'm with you. I'll take the side-effects. And be grateful for each and every day that God grants to me.
Pneumonia? I'm jealous, you get all the good ones.
Take care, thinking of you x
Please feel better soon.
Rest and take good care of yourself.
hastyfar
Kayleigh, I know you don't feel it, but you are so strong. Have a wonderful and blessed Mothers Day.
Big Hugs,
Lesa
(((((((hugs)))))))
Thank you Tessa my dear -- so are you!
Brenda -- yes, a relief it really is. I remember you were in the hospital but forgot it was pneumonia. Thankfully you've made it thru...you really have been such an inspiration. I can't wait till I'm past this too.
Whitestone -- Truth be told I vascilate between gratitude such as you have and resentment that I even feel the need to try and be positive. Sometimes I just downright wallow! But you sure have a great atitude and I admire you :)
notSupermum -- LOL, you TOTALLY cracked me up! Thank you :D
Peaceful Lotus, my dear Hastyfar, so good to "see" you here, and I know you've commented quite a number of times before -- THANK YOU my wonderful VB friend.
Lesa...thank you, that's very nice to hear, especially at a time like this. And you know, you are too!
EvaNadine -- aw, thank you, I can always use all the hugs I can get!
I've been following your blog for a good while now - ever since I found a biggish breast lump and was waiting for my mammogram appointment and found your blog whilst googling furiously for all the possible outcomes.
After surgery, my lump turned out to be benign, but I kept following your blog, amazed at your strength and resilience. I really do admire you, and you are an absolute inspiration!
Your writing is beautiful and honest and real, and I'm never not touched. Keep strong, and kick pneumonia's ass!!
Qwerty -- I'm soooooo glad your lump was benign!!!! I know how you must have felt while waiting to find out, that's always the hardest part.
I'm so very moved that you kept following my blog, your kind words and support are deeply appreciated, you have no idea. Not to mention your praise of my writing made me beam from ear to ear (which I really needed today)
THANK YOU!
Hi Kaleigh,
I just left you two awards over on my blog if you would like to come and get them. Hope you are having a good day. As always, I am thinking good thoughts about you!
lesa
always summer
K, I'm so glad you stopped by today. I went in for a mammogram myself this morning after finding a lump, and thought of you the whole time. I am totally in the clear, thank goodness, but it was terrifying nonetheless.
Thank you for your lovely comment, and for being such a strong, vibrant inspiration yourself.
Lesa -- Aw, thank you so much, that is very sweet of you (both the awards and the good thoughts!)
Sal -- thank goodness it was benign, what a relief!!! Good for you taking it seriously and getting it checked out asap, tho, I can't tell you how many women I've met in chemo infusion rooms or surgeons offices who waited...and came to regret it. You set a great example, thanks for sharing :)
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