Jonny May

I made it through the bronchoscopy ok. It really wasn’t that hard on me except for inhaling lidocaine and having it sprayed down the back of my throat. It makes you gag a few times, and that’s the point…they have to keep spraying it until you are too numb to gag. The good news is that the airways looked pretty good and there were no alarming findings with the source of the bleeding. The bad news is they found plenty of flem that concerned them so they took a sample for culture. I was told that I have multiple infections, both bacterial (2 types confirmed) and from a yet-to-be-identified mold. The bacteria are treatable and I’m starting on antibiotics. The mold might be a bit more tricky. It will take some more time for them to discover what exact type we’re dealing with and how to go about treating it. Please keep yourselves from worrying, I’ll be okay. My doctors were actually relieved that they found something with the culture and that my symptoms do not appear to be directly related to the disease.

Since last week I’ve been dealing with a pretty severe cold. As many of you know, I had an appointment Thursday in Detroit including a CT scan. While there, my doctor thought it would be best if I were to see a pulmonary specialist for a consult Monday (yesterday) to make sense out of my hospital stay before Christmas. Dad and I returned to Detroit and now I have a procedure scheduled for this Thursday (the 17th at 9:00 AM). It’s called a bronchosopy and it will include a tube, with a camera attached, that is to be threaded down my mouth and into the airways leading down to my lungs. This will be done to see if they can find the source of prior bleeding and the possibility of a tumor being located in a major airway. They assured me that this procedure is simple and safe, and barring a major finding (which they don’t expect) they won’t be doing anything beyond this look into my lungs. I will be under sedation.

As for my CT scan, again, it turned out to be stable so I will remain involved in the trial for at least 6-8 more weeks. While this is good news, I have not been easily satisfied with these results. Even though the disease is still considered “clinically stable”, in my eyes, this isn’t good enough. The larger tumors are still growing 1-3 mm in between each scan. If you take overall growth since I’ve started the study, the growth is probably over 30%. While the doctors assured me that this is alright, it will be discussed in more detail at my next appointment.

On New Year’s Eve, I had a great time, but it kind of started off on a bad note. For a couple of days I was dealing with a stomach virus (no…not the alcohol-induced kind). I feel better now, and getting ready to leave KS. A week from today (the 10th) I’ll have another CT scan. I will also have class from 5-9pm (Brutal! Especially when it’s advanced statistics…). I will not only need prayers for the results of my scan, but so that I may stay awake in class as well, haha.

For this New Year, I hope that many people who read this blog will either keep or adopt a more positive outlook in their lives. I’m often asked, “how do you deal with it all?” I try to convey this advice: My friend, since you ask me this question I assume you have gone through some tough times in the past or are currently. Lately for me, it seems that every time I take a step to get ahead with this illness I also take steps backward. Even though my body feels at times like it is fading, I have to pick up the pace and find a way to carry on. I owe it to all that have ever wished well for me. To all of those who suffer, wether it be you, or someone close to you, emotionally or physically, I tell you now that The Lord is not blind to your pain. Please keep the faith, and you will find comfort.
May God bless you this year and always