Getting Better, Slowly

Yesterday I visited the cardio-thoracic and oncology outpatients clinics.  Prior to the clinics I had a chest X-Ray.

My lung is recovering OK, there is still some fluid remaining from my pleural effusion, but it is reducing.  Lungs are clear and as far as cardio-thoracic is concerned, I am finished with them.

We had expected to be considering next treatment options with the oncologist today, but that did not happen for two reasons; I am not yet fit enough to be considered for any chemotherapy at this time, and I am not ready to even think about the options and their implications.  The oncologist made it clear that this would be my decision as to which path I take now.  We will meet again in 3 weeks, ideally any chemo should start as soon as possible after surgery but I am not ready for it, and I am really unsure that I want to suffer any more this year.

I am slowly recovering my energy, and am mostly up and about for 12 hours a day.  However any exertion puts me back.  For example, last Sunday we went out and bought a new BBQ, this meant traipsing through two stores.  Then my brother and his wife visited for a couple of hours, it was not really a social visit with some serious  discussion about our parents and how we can help them.  Then I put the BBQ together and cooked with it.  Monday I felt quite ill, because of the exertion of the day before.  And when I got back from the hospital, with a lot of walking there, my lips were blue because I have not been breathing deeply enough. This morning, once again, I felt ill because of the hospital trips yesterday, but not as bad as I have been and this afternoon I am feeling OK.

The oncologist recommended that I not return to work until I don't need a day to recover after exertion, this should be some time next week at current progress.