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Getting some answers

I am doing much better than yesterday, both physically and emotionally. (If I'm honest, it helps that I'm finally ahead of Nel Kopp in our current game of Words with Friends. For the last 2+ weeks I've been getting thrashed.) As of this morning, I'm off the high-flow oxygen fire hose and back on 6L oxygen; my heart rate is back closer to normal range, compared to 95-100+ yesterday. So the treatment plan seems to be helping. I had a decent night of sleep, despite the 1am blood draw and being able to sleep in only one position due to all the IVs and contraptions. 

I had a long talk with Dr. Vilensky, the pulmonologist. The CT scan showed that there are are now cystic areas and scar tissue on my lungs that weren’t there in June, which could be due to COVID or the Tagrisso targeted therapy. Also, I now have a superficial clot in my left leg and a different, larger clot on my lungs than the two small clots I had in Reston. This could be because Tagrisso, lung cancer, and COVID all increase the risk of blood clots and/or because Lovenox (the blood thinner injection) didn't adequately prevent new clots. There is also increased inflammation in the lungs. So it seems that the blood clots and inflammation have contributed to my shortness of breath. I'm not happy to hear this, but it's reassuring to have some preliminary explanations for my breathing problems yesterday.

I will be talking with a hematologist/oncologist later today, particularly about Tagrisso. I'm hoping she will also confer with my oncologist in Germany. 

Linguistics geek-out: You know you are at a hospital in Central or Western PA when... (1) the hospital staff say something "needs adjusted" and (2) they end questions with a falling (rather than rising) intonation. This intonation makes questions sounds more like statements. I'm very attuned to accents, so I noticed these features upon moving to State College in 2005. Some years ago I found a lecture on the the Pittsburgh accent that explains dropping the infinitive and the falling question. If you're into linguistics or just want to learn more about PA, it's worth a listen (21:30 to 22:30). 

There are a couple of empty ICU rooms with unobstructed, panoramic views of the mountains...but they are reserved for COVID patients because they are the only negative pressure rooms.

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 16, 2022 at 12:20 PM

    Nel is very competitive! She battered me playing Scrabble during my recovery from open heart surgery. (But how wonderful she distracting and stimulating you.) Good for you! 😀

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    1. Esther PrinsAugust 16, 2022 at 12:25 PM

      Yes, I had told her I didn't think I could focus on recovery and play Scrabble with her simultaneously. But now that I'm back in the hospital with time on my hands...

      Delete
  2. Shannon FreyAugust 16, 2022 at 1:06 PM

    Oh goodness. Thinking of you often. You’ve had so much to absorb in a short time.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 16, 2022 at 1:24 PM

    I love linguistics! Took a L course at Penn State; and at the beginning of the course, the professor told us at the end of the course he would identify where each of us came from. It was amazing. He nailed me as having spent part my childhood in Pittsburgh and teen years in Northern Virginia! Incredible.

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    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsAugust 18, 2022 at 12:04 PM

      Now I know who wrote this. :) I thought it was one of my students.

      Delete
  4. IreneAugust 16, 2022 at 3:25 PM

    Thanking God that you are better, Esther. And, that you have some explanations for why this happened. Love the linguistics geekout notes. 🤓

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  5. JaeungAugust 16, 2022 at 5:01 PM

    Hi Esther, I am relieved that you are getting better than yesterday. I wanted to tell you my support and heart in our zoom meeting rather than putting my message on your blog. So, I was so sorry and worried when I heard that you headed to the hospital in an emergency. Whenever I encountered some challenges, hit the wall, and was sometimes stuck in depression during my U.S. living, I recalled your warm advice and strong attitude to life. So, I believe what you have told and shown us will recover you as well. I hope you will be back soon. I am praying for you!

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    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsAugust 16, 2022 at 8:04 PM

      Thank you, Jaeung. I appreciate it. I so wanted to be at your comps defense. I've often said I would have to be lying in a hospital bed before I would miss a professional commitment. I just didn't think I would ever be in that position. :(

      Delete
  6. AlisaAugust 16, 2022 at 10:09 PM

    I’m happy you’re feeling better and your spirits seem up. Praise God. Hallelujah anyhow (that was part of my sermon this weekend). You are showing us that you are making it through all of this with strength & even a bit of humor to keep you going. Through prayers I’m supporting from far and will do whatever else possible to help carry you all. Fuerza 🙏🏽

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  7. DavidAugust 17, 2022 at 9:14 AM

    How clear, inquisitive, focused, self-possessed you sound. More power. Guessing you'll postpone trip to Pittsburgh; will be waiting when you do come.

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    1. Esther PrinsAugust 18, 2022 at 12:05 PM

      Thank you, David. Re-scheduled for 8/30. I REALLY hope we can keep this appointment!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousAugust 17, 2022 at 10:23 AM

    Hi Esther. I am glad to see that you are feeling a bit better. I have to share a much lighter comment for your entertainment: I grew up in Central PA and had no idea until just a few years ago that "the car needs washed" sounded strange to some people. It took actually learning about this in a linguistics class in Pittsburgh to find out!

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    1. AnonymousAugust 17, 2022 at 10:24 AM

      This is your advisee Alexis by the way - I forgot to change the anonymous!

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    2. Esther PrinsAugust 18, 2022 at 12:06 PM

      Oh wow, that is funny. After living here for 17 years I do sometimes catch myself thinking that it sort of makes sense. :)

      Delete
  9. Sophie LynneAugust 17, 2022 at 10:41 AM

    Huggses! sending all positive energy to you!

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    1. Esther PrinsAugust 18, 2022 at 12:07 PM

      Thank you, Sophie. Congratulations again on your comps. I'm glad I was feeling well enough at that point to get all the way through.

      Delete
  10. Dana MitraAugust 17, 2022 at 12:55 PM

    I inhaled that lecture you posted, as someone who grew up working class in the Burgh. Hearing my relatives speak feels like coming home! I think of you every day Esther. (And I’m starting to feel like it might be time for us senior folks to do some push back on the dark cloud happening in our administration.)

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    1. Esther PrinsAugust 18, 2022 at 12:08 PM

      Thank you, Dana. Glad you enjoyed the lecture. I love this kind of stuff! I'd appreciate any and all pushback. A PSU friend who studies these things introduced me to the concept of "institutional care" yesterday. The way the dean handled my situation was the antithesis of institutional care, and when I get into a better place I will write a letter telling her so.

      Delete

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