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pulmonary function test results

It's time to report my bi-annual pulmonary function test results. Drum roll... I am continuing to improve, although my pulmonologist told me that I will plateau at some point. In addition to Tagrisso working its magic, I have to think that strength training and biking (including 2 short interval training [SIT] workouts/week) are a big contributing factor.

The percentage below indicates my result compared to the expected result for a woman my age.
FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) measures the air you exhale in 1 second.
May 2024: 98% (34% improvement since 10/22)
Nov. 2023: 95%
May 2023: 91%
Oct. 2022: 73%
TLC (total lung capacity) is the total volume of air in the lungs after inhaling as much as possible.
May 2024: 102% !! (48% improvement since 6/22)
Nov. 2023: 95%
May 2023: 83%
Oct. 2022: 72%
Jun. 2022: 69%
DLCO (diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, aka diffusion) is the extent to which oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood. It indicates the extent of lung damage. I have improved 110% since June 2022, when I was first diagnosed with lung cancer. Although 86% is within normal range, I believe this figure explains why I still need supplemental O2 when doing more strenuous exercises, like heavier lifts or those awful Bulgarian/rear-foot elevated split squats.
May 2024: 86%
Nov. 2023: 82%
May 2023: 68%
Oct. 2022: 49%
Jun. 2022: 41%

FYI, for comparison, Normal DLCO = >75% of predicted; Mild = 60% to 75%; Moderate = 40% to 60%; and Severe = <40%. So I started out borderline severe, graduated to moderate, then mild, and now normal since Nov. 2023.
Together, these results explain why I can now walk uphill from downtown and not feel out of breath.
I've now graduated to lung testing every 8-9 months. For once, I'm an outlier because of how much I've improved rather than all the things that have gone wrong.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 25, 2024 at 3:40 PM

    This is such great news Esther. I can't help but think that your very hard physical work to recover plays a huge role in those great numbers. You have much to be proud of. You're a warrior!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 25, 2024 at 3:49 PM

    Woohoo Ester ! You have taken huge leaps and conquered !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsMay 25, 2024 at 5:20 PM

      Thank you! Still working on the conquering part...

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMay 25, 2024 at 4:08 PM

    Awesome news, Esther! You are rocking this! And thanks for explaining all the acronyms — I need this all the time with medical data!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsMay 25, 2024 at 5:20 PM

      Yes, I have them written down because I can never remember what they mean.

      Delete
  4. KristenMay 25, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    Hooray! So glad to hear this!

    ReplyDelete
  5. David PostMay 25, 2024 at 4:50 PM

    You're everyone's role model and your recovery is inspiring. Probably helps that you've been pretty much a lifelong fitness fanatic, and that your family, for that matter, similarly spends fewer than 10 hours/day in front of a television

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsMay 25, 2024 at 5:23 PM

      Thank you, David. You're right about lifelong fitness...but you underestimate how much TV we watch. :) Leland and I watch 1-1.5 hours together every evening and Lily often joins us when not at vball. Plus Leland often watches stuff on his own. He often quotes The Simpsons: "TV gives so much and asks so little."

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 25, 2024 at 7:32 PM

    Great news, Esther! Very encouraging and motivational! My mother has lung problem and she is doing the physical training too. I know the oxygen level, it's good to learn other terms that you described and that the physical training is really helpful! Bo

    ReplyDelete
  7. AlisaMay 25, 2024 at 8:48 PM

    All fantastic news Esther! God is good. You will continue to be healed! Keep moving forward & looking to the heavens for your help. Your help comes from the Lord. 🙏🏽

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMay 25, 2024 at 9:37 PM

    This report makes my heart sing! You've certainly done your part to make this report happen. You are a good role model for me, should I face a similar situation. Lois C

    ReplyDelete
  9. IreneMay 26, 2024 at 4:46 AM

    WOW!! Thanking & praising God for this tremendous improvement, Esther!! Those stats show your dramatic progress. Celebrating with you!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. RuthMay 26, 2024 at 7:18 AM

    Congratulations on being an 'outlier' in the other direction!!

    ReplyDelete

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