Doctor's Visit

I've been sick too long with this flu and the weird cough that accompanies it, so today I went to see my primary care physician. I hadn't seen her since she diagnosed me with cancer and so I looked forward to the visit, in a weird way. Also, I never got a photo of her for my tentative collage project, so now was my chance.

We went over my symptoms and she listened to my chest. I told her about that weird cough I keep having that makes it hard to catch a breath. I was certain there was nothing in my lungs and she agreed. She had me do one of those tests where you exhale and it measures the amount of air that your lungs can move (a spirometer?). I did pretty well exhaling, but immediately afterward I was gasping for air. It was like the only thing I could do was exhale, not inhale. This is what has been happening to me whenever I walk around or lift things. I cough and then do the weird breathing thing.

The doctor explained that it was an asthmatic cough (ah, that explains Kathy's curious look when I was doing that in front of her) and that it's because my bronchia are all irritated. She figures it was virally triggered, so she gave me a prescription for an inhaler to use when this is a problem while I wait to recover. I asked if I should just soldier ahead and do things as long as I have the inhaler. She said, what the heck, take it easy for another week. After all, I was running a fever less than a week ago. Not the answer I wanted.

She asked what was happening with cancer treatment, so I filled her in. I had faxed her once during chemo for advice and she called me to discuss my concerns, so she knows some of what happened. I asked if she wanted to see the work the surgeon did. Of course she said yes, so I stripped off my top and bra quickly. "Nice work!" she said. It must be, because all the medical people say that.

She noticed the discoloration I have from radiation and said that it's probably going to stay that way. This may sound strange, but I was glad she said that. I don't like to be misled with false hopes and knowing my skin as I do, I couldn't see how all of it would return to its original snowy white complexion. I'd rather people be honest with me about that.

After we talked cancer and all that, she agreed to let me take a photo, so now I have all the pictures I need to get started. I'm still sad that I don't have my radiologist, but I can't locate where she is now, so I have to let that go.

So, now I'm left with some kind of bronchitis and temporary asthma (which I didn't know existed before today, but I found it mentioned online) and an inhaler that I'm intimidated about using. Well, I reason that this will help me understand a little about what people with asthma go through and it will pass, so...it's a learning experience. As long as it's not permanent, I'll be fine.

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