Pneumonia Update

 

First, thank you all or your prayers, please keep them coming. My most recent dilation surgery for my esophagus turned into a bigger surgery where they not only dilated but also placed a stent to help keep the esophagus more open. The idea is that the stent, after being placed, will continue to expand for a few days slowly and help hold the esophagus open a certain degree. They will go back and remove it in another surgery on July 17th in Charleston. 

Because they did more things, I was under anesthesia longer than I have previous been (since my big surgery that is.) 

All the surgeries have kept my lungs operating at less than 100%...this surgery is no exception. This past week in addition to pain I had also been running some low-grade fevers.

On Wednesday I went to a routine appointment with my oncologist, and they decided to get an x-ray to check on my lungs.  It showed plural effusion (fluid) and Plural Atelectasis (Partial lung collapse) in both the left and right lungs. This is a common occurrence with surgeries. It also showed some opacities in the bottom of the left side. They said it can indicate pneumonia and started me on a 5-day course of antibiotics. I just finished my second day's dose. The opacities can also be there because of the Atelectasis so to get a clearer picture they are also ordering a CT scan for Monday morning. 

So for now we are operating on the assumption it is pneumonia, but it might just be a precaution. Either way the bottom line is my lungs are struggling and I need them healthier, not only for my immediate health but also for my immunotherapy to continue in a timely manner to help give me an added layer of protect against spread of this cancer. 

So please, continue praying. I covet your prayers and am grateful to know so many are following alongside me in this time. I don't really like feeling weak, but I know that even this is just a bump in the bigger picture and even in this moment, I can find peace. 

I love you guys and will update again on Sunday.