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Pulmonary function test

I had a pulmonary function test this morning, 7 months after my last one. 

Let me put this test in context. I had 3 PFTs in Germany, including one on March 23, 2022 with a pulmonologist (Dr. Iwansky) who claimed my results were normal (I don't see how that is possible, given how short of breath I was at that time). She never did a chest x-ray or even asked if I already had one, but at the time I didn't know any better. I didn't realize the gravity of her error until after my diagnosis. The possibility of cancer or serious illness had never entered my mind. I returned on May 31 because of a persistent dry cough and continued shortness of breath. She still didn't order an x-ray. I had to ask for it. The only thing she mentioned was using an inhaler. 

My doctor at the LungenClinic, where I was diagnosed, was dumbfounded that she didn't do an x-ray. I emailed Dr. Iwansky in June to tell her I had lung cancer and to ask why she hadn't ordered an x-ray. She admitted--in writing!--that she screwed up: 

"I am so sorry about this- I thought that you already had a x ray examination of the lung when you come to my surgery [practice]. I  misunderstood this. But it is my fault/ I should have looked at the pictures and then it would have come out, that you didn’t have any [x-ray] examination."

Malpractice much? If it were the USA, I probably could have sued.

I will always wonder whether my lung function would be better if I'd gotten an x-ray in March. Because of Dr. Iwansky's incompetence, the cancer spread for 3 more months. 

Back to today's test: Although the respiratory therapist admitted she wasn't supposed to tell me the results, she did anyway. Compared to the October test, my numbers improved on all the measures, some quite dramatically. A couple of the numbers were even in the normal range! I was elated to hear this. 

I'll meet with Dr. Vilensky next week to go over the results (I'm going to act surprised!) and discuss the lung biopsy.

Comments

  1. Leslie CMay 26, 2023 at 2:47 PM

    Such wonderful news about the results!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 26, 2023 at 3:32 PM

    Oh wow that is good to hear coming up to the one year point! I hope your poker face has gotten better over the years! Henson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsMay 26, 2023 at 4:37 PM

      Yeah, not so much. That interaction was over email, though. But she could probably sense my expression via email.

      Delete
  3. IreneMay 26, 2023 at 4:18 PM

    Praise God!! The good news just keeps comin'...and "normal range" stats too even. So awesome to see the progress in just 7 months--elated with and for you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsMay 26, 2023 at 4:37 PM

      Thanks, Irene! I will get more deets next week.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 27, 2023 at 5:10 AM

    👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 (Andy)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AlisaMay 27, 2023 at 8:44 AM

    Amen amen amen & hallelujah wonderful news. God is great. I celebrate with you & I’ll also act surprised when you give us the positive update 🤣😎

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMay 30, 2023 at 11:17 AM

    Oh, so wonderful! You are so determined. It can’t be other than successful. Hugs from Germany🌺🌹😍💥💓

    ReplyDelete
  7. Esther PrinsMay 30, 2023 at 3:46 PM

    Wow, that is horrible. I hope she is doing well now.

    ReplyDelete

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