As a result of the CT scan and appointment with the ENT doctor last week, we were happy to learn my sinus infection has cleared up. However, there is a large cyst on the left side. It was first discovered in 2004 and has gotten larger, to the point it is putting pressure on the areas around it and that explains part of the reason for all the feeling of pressure in my face, especially in my left cheek bone. Also, the “turbinates” are enlarged to the point they have practically filled my nasal passages making it difficult to breathe, especially at night. They also have impaired my ability to smell and, consequently, my sense of taste is impaired as well. Since I have already tried all the medications that would help this problem and it has only gotten worse, surgery is now required; but the ENT doctor assured me it is a fairly simple surgery, as far as sinus surgeries go.
So now, everyone is wondering what “turbinates” are. They are on the lateral walls on each side of the nose and are made up of tiny layers of bone (kind of like a sponge) and are covered with a very vascular (lots of blood vessels) layer of soft tissue. Their function is to warm and humidify the air entering the nose and provide a bacteria-fighting enzyme. They are also covered by millions of cilia (little hairs), which filter the inhaled air.
The ENT doctor assured me I could finish my last round of chemo and then schedule the surgery after ample time has passed for me to recover. It will be essential that my blood counts and platelets have returned to a fairly normal level before surgery.
I was able to begin my last round of treatment last Tuesday. Hooray! I have two more treatments this week and then I hope for some ongoing recovery of my strength and stamina.
I’ve experienced more nausea and difficulty with my stomach being “unsettled” from the chemo drugs and acidic from the steroids, even though I’ve had medication to help with both. I’m just weaker overall and everything is more of an effort. My hands had healed up a little, but now they are so sore and raw that I can barely touch my clothes to dress myself.
When my treatment is completed, it will take some planning to schedule surgery, recovery time, bone marrow biopsy and follow-up appointment for the report and not have all of this drag on for a couple of months.
So, prayer warriors, these are the present needs.
