Hi...they call me "Little Spud"

My favorite position these days.

This past Monday I had my first appointment with the lung doctor. After reviewing my test results he says he is about 90% sure I have the Sarcoidosis; however he can’t be sure without a biopsy. For whatever reason they can’t seem to get away from this biopsy thing. The process for the biopsy sounds better this time. As of yet it has not been scheduled. He did say that the lymph nodes in my chest are the size of small potatoes and has started me on some strong medicine. At first I worried if the medicine would make me grow another ear, but quickly figured out that if it did I would be able to hear that much better. Then again there is the cost of an extra hearing aid down the road... sigh.

This week I had the heart echocardiogram and the brain MRI. The worst part of the echo was getting those sticky pads ripped off my chest. I think the fellow looked for the areas with the most hair before making his site sellection. Thank goodness summer and swimming is over for the season. People would be asking about the crop circles on my chest. By the way, I have decided to never do one of those waxing treatments.

The MRI was an interesting experience. Susie, the tech, came to the waiting room to retrieve me and said, “well are you ready to get fed to the machine?” Hmmm I don’t know I said does it have teeth? Susie was a tad bit concerned that about 10 years ago I had a piece of metal removed from my eye. Well Tim did they get all the metal out? I’m not sure I told her; however, they say my iron count is high. By the way Susie what happens if they didn’t get it all out? Not to worry she said, the machine will tear it out. I asked her if she was more concerned about my ripped out eye or the metal getting into, “the machine.” Susie, the confidence builder said, I don’t think it would get into the machine it would just stick to it and then she quickly had me sign the usual “you may die during this test” form.

Now a lot of my well wishers encouraged me with stories about the MRI machine and how noisy and claustrophobic it was going to be. What no one mentioned was the fact that they would put my head in a big clamp and then put a cage over my head that pinned my head down to the table. Ah it was just a minor omission. Alright so all pinned down and head first in the tube we go. It was a bit cozy, but not too bad with my eyes shut and hey maybe a good time for a nap. Well about that time Susie’s “machine” came to life. That thing was a humming, a whirling, and making noises like it was going to takeoff. It was about that time that the thought occurred to me, “did I remember to give Susie the locker key out of my shirt’s breast pocket?” That thought was quickly followed by the metal being ripped out of the eye comment. Fortunately none of that stuff happened.

About thirty minutes later the noise stopped and Susie announced that she was going to roll me out to inject contrast into my arm. However, she warned me that I was not to move my head or she would have to start the test over from the beginning. I pictured being sent back to the waiting room and her coming to the door and asking, “well are you ready to get fed to the machine?” all over again so I didn’t even blink my eyes. So out we come for what I am thinking must feel like a death row inmate’s lethal injection. I’m pinned down, can’t move my head, and afraid to blink. Once Susie was satisfied that I had enough of the injectable injected she sent me back in the tube. I will not bore you with the rest of the story but to tell you that at one point I thought I heard the fire alarm go off and was wondering where Susie’s true allegiance would lie. Once the test was over I asked poker face Susie if I could ask her a question. She quickly said no, and informed me that all questions should be directed at my doctor. Being the rebel, I went ahead with my question. “Susie, I can’t wait to talk to the doctor…did you see a brain?” Without missing a beat she apologized and again repeated that all questions should be directed to my doctor. What a gal!!! Makes you want to put her in the tube and tickle her feet.

Well the heart echocardiogram came back “perfect.” Now I had mixed feelings about the brain MRI results. I got a text from my doctor that said “Tim...brain MRI came back negative.” For a second I broke out with a cold sweat and thought ahhhhh so that is why Susie wouldn’t say anything. I then had a friend say “hmm now we know what fell into your chest.” Funny people…in the tube for a foot tickle.

So here is the bottom line. Test came back good this week. I still don’t know if I have lymphoma or Sarcoidosis, but it is sounding more positive than negative. I started treatment this week... Yahoo!!!

I get asked often how I feel. Well I feel very blessed! I have a great job that allows me to work full time from home. I have great insurance, great friends, a great family, great co-workers, and a core faith that is set on solid rock. What more could a fellow want. Thank much for all the prayers!!!