It's Just a Case of Valley Fever.
Yeah ! I have Valley Fever!
I haven’t been this happy and relieved in awhile. The whole procedure of the lung biopsy was a disaster, but the results showed the ‘spots’ on my lungs are Valley Fever – NOT cancer!
Valley Fever is pretty common in Arizona. It’s a mild lung infection caused by a fungus found in the soil of the valleys of the southwestern US, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. It ranges from mild to severe cases and I just have a mild case. Normally I might be a little bummed out to find out I have Valley Fever. It still has to be treated with some pretty harsh antibiotics, but considering the alternative, I’ll take it. The tube is out of my lung and I am able to take deep breathes (something I will never take for granted again).
So, all those prayers worked AND to top it off- I’ve been cleared to fly! Our annual Christmas voyage to Canada is still a go. This was a big deal for me because right before I was having the procedure they told me " Oh and NO FLYING for 3 weeks- if there is a hole, the cabin pressure could collapse your lung." I should have stopped them then , but I didn't and it's over and everything is fine.
Today is ‘The Big Day’. I have a big red "X" on the calendar to help me count down the last day of my chemo treatments. After all the drama with the lung thing – I feel prepared.
I’m lucky – my husband will be with me, probably cracking jokes and teasing the nurses, easing the tension a bit. The overwhelming amount of prayers, cards and care packages humbles me. I have never felt so supported, loved and cared for in all my life. I know that I am not going into this alone- I know all of you- no matter how near or far- are with me, cheering me, loving me and giving me strength, helping me get my ‘tough girl’ on.
Categories: chemotherapy treatments, Valley Fever, lung collapse
angella,
You so so right about the prayers.
You
have people you've never even met that
were/are praying for you. In fact, just today, I received a thank you note
from a friend, she noted, Angie and her family are constantly in my prayers.
You've never met her. Awesome...huh?
Please..please keep in mind in the future to write a book someday. You're
blogs are wonderful. Valley Fever, like I said just don't breath. Call me
when you feel like it.
Love you.
Mom
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Angellah - I'm so glad I "found" you. After a hectic Thanksgiving week feeding 16 kids and grandkids I returned to pilates and got "hit" with the news. Your blog is a fabulous thing and I'm so proud of your approach to this time and place in your life. Reading about how lucky to are to have Valley Fever (only) reminds me of how lucky I was, way back at age 27, to only have cervical cancer. Breast cancer is much tougher, but so are you and you will definitely get through this. After years of walking in the Race for the Cure, I now have a personal hero to think of. Take care and hurry back. My achy cranky back and marshmallow tummy need you!
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Connie!
I am so glad you 'found' me too!! I miss all of you at Trilogy- but I was especially sad to the ones I didn't get to see before I left. This blog has been a real gift to me- Part of my way of getting through this. Twenty seven is so young to have cancer- can you believe they have a vaccine for cervical cancer now? Maybe they will find one for breast cancer too. I hope you will stop by often and keep in touch! Keep up the hard work- thanks for 'finding ' me
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