Yes, a very bizzy few days.
First of all I went into Ward 37 in Arrow Park Hospital for a Full Lung Study.
This was like a spirometry test in which I had to breathe into a computerised machine doing several different breathing techniques for them to measure my Lung Capacity. As this was so close to me seeing Dr. Corless the following day, they allowed me to take my results away with me. I am always in awe of how much the medical staff are so helpful.
Following day I was booked into Victoria Central Hospital in Wallasey for the final session of my Pulmonary Rehabilitation course.
Then finally, a run up the motorway to Clatterbridge Hospital to see Dr. Corless for the results of the 3 main tests he had ordered. CT Scan of the Lungs, CT Scan of the Heart and the Lung Study.
Looking at the three results, Dr. Corless showed me my CT Scan on-screen of the Lungs. There is a small white mass showing that Dr. Corless thought to be scar tissue. I suffered a Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung) in 1980 and Dr. Corless thought this to be as a result of that. He said that if I was well, he would do further tests on this, but as I wasn’t well enough, he decided to go with his gut feeling on it. He didn’t think it was cancerous or malignant – Thank Goodness.
Taking all of this into account Dr. Corless was happy to refer me on to the Transplant Team in Manchester (50 miles away). He told me that it would take up to three weeks for him to do the referral with the forms etc that he had to submit. He said I should get an appointment in a couple of weeks following his referral.
The next step for me now is to see the Specialist in Manchester at Wythenshaw Hospital. They would admit me for about 3 – 5 days for extensive testing. This would include psychiatric tests to make sure I could handle such a major operation. The results from those tests will determine the treatment from there. Maybe I could have an operation to cut away the parts of my Lung(s) that are not working, maybe I could have a transplant involving One Lung, or finally, the possibility of needing Both Lungs replaced. If I do need a Transplant, it will be at this stage that I will be added to the Transplant List to wait for a suitable Donor.
So great news for me this week. Feel like celebrating the fact that I have overcome this hurdle and I am being referred to the next stepping stone on this amazing journey.
The following day I went back to Victoria Central Hospital (Wallasey) to be assessed for the results following the 12 sessions of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation. That assessment was poor. I didn’t benefit as much as I had wanted to from the course.
Senior Physiotherapist Miss LISA MURPHY, informed me that before such a major operation, sometimes the Doctor might refer me back for more Pulmonary Rehabilitation to ensure that I am as fit as possible to face the ordeal.
Hope you stay with me? Add your e-mail address on the left-hand side and be updated as soon as I have more news.
