Mick McKellar Update -- Day +495

We leave the fair metropolis of Rochester, MN, for home tomorrow morning -- very early (if we can manage to get up in time). The last two days have been a bit of a rollercoaster of tests, exams, and head-scratching. 

Thursday began benignly enough with the usual blood tests. The following test, a pulmonary function study, is difficult at times, and in this case set off alarms with my doctors. My previous tests had shown some decline in lung capacity, maybe 15% -- not unusual for someone my age, who has asthma and misspent many a year tending my food goiter. This test showed my capacity down 50-60%! Also, my oxygen level (usually 98-100% on the stair climb) was in the high 80's to lower 90's.

My regular numbers were all beautiful. My hemoglobin is now out of the anemic range and at the low end of normal. My white cell count, ANC, and platelets are in great shape. So, why can I not carry a bag of groceries from the car to the kitchen without sitting down to rest and catch my breath?

To answer that question (and others), we stayed one more day (today) for an echocardiogram, a CT scan of my torso, and (gulp) a bronchoscopy. The bronchoscopy (because of anesthesia) took about 3 hours and has left me with a sore throat, a slight fever, and a lot of questions that cannot be answered until the data from all the tests is analysed and studied.

Also, Marian will have to drive at least half the way home, because I am not supposed to drive for 24 hours from the beginning of my anesthesia. We hope to make it home in time for Marian to honor committments tomorrow evening. I will be waiting on pins and needles for test results and possible treatments. I hope to have more to share next week.

Well, I have to get packed and get to bed. 5:00 AM comes early, even in Central Daylight Time...

Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts! Good night, and God bless!

Mick