This is a timeline of my experience with lung cancer. I began this timeline on December 11, 2010. It has remained hidden in my many blog posts, but I feel now it is best to make it its own page. It is a brief, yet detailed, description of my life before, during, and after cancer.
:::Timeline:::
:::Timeline:::
- December 11, 2010 - Sent home from work early (about 9PM) with a 103 fever
- December 12, 2010 - Did not go to work. Stayed in bed all day. When Tom got home after midnight we went to the Emergency Room because I was having chest pain.
- December 13, 2010 - Admitted into Kennedy hospital. CT scan showed a mass in the middle lobe of right lung.
- December 14, 2010 - Bronchoscope was conducted, but could not get a biopsy due to bleeding.
- December 15, 2010 - Discharged from Kennedy hospital. Referred to University of Penn hospital for a Rigid Bronchoscope.
- December 17, 2010 - Appointment with UPenn, scheduled Rigid Bronchoscope for December 22, 2010.
- December 22, 2010 - Rigid Bronchoscope was conducted, it took 3 hours. I was released after the procedure. A few hours later I was in the ER of Kennedy hospital with a fever, vomiting, and shortness of breath. I was admitted into Kennedy hospital.
- December 24, 2010 - I was discharged from Kennedy hospital.
- December 27, 2010 - Appointment with surgeon was cancelled due to snow storm. Rescheduled for tomorrow, December 28 at 11AM.
- December 28, 2010 - Appointment with surgeon. Reviewed options for surgery. Pathology results showed a low grade cancer tumor called Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma. Referred to UPenn, will meet with head of thoracic surgery next week.
- January 5, 2011 - Consultation at UPenn with Dr. Cooper. Scheduled surgery date January 20th.
- January 20, 2011 - Day of surgery. Middle & lower lobe were removed. Some lymph nodes were also removed.
- January 25, 2011 - I was discharged from the hospital. I am recovering for the next few weeks at my mom's house.
- January 28, 2011 - 1PM appointment at UPenn to see a counselor/support group for cancer patients and survivors. Ran into Dr. Cooper, Pathology report was clean. Will see Dr. Cooper for a follow-up Friday February 18th.
- February 18, 2011 - The appointment with Dr. Cooper today confirmed that my cancer is gone! I will return to work March 7th. I have another follow up appointment in August with Dr. Cooper. I will be seeing him every 6 months for a while to make sure that nothing comes back.
- March 7, 2011 - No trace of cancer.
- -MISPLACED APPOINTMENT DAY/TIME- No trace of cancer. Only X-ray checked.
- March 16, 2012 - No trace of cancer. Checked both X-ray and CT Scan. Will need a Flexible Bronchoscopy in about one year.