Got the results of the VQ test back today. Although I don't completely understand what they're talking about, I did look on the internet to see the reason for a VQ test and it said "The purpose of this test is to look for evidence of a blood clot in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolus, that lowers oxygen levels, causes shortness of breath, and sometimes is fatal. " The test results said, among other things, that "Low probability for pulmonary embolism". Whew!
My VQ test showed that my left lung got 64.4% of the blood flow and my right lung got 35.6%. It appears my lower third gets most, then my middle third, then finally my upper third. It appears there is decreased perfusion to the upper lobes bilaterally. The left and right upper thirds didn't get much at all. I haven't the foggiest idea of what all this means but it's interesting to read. It does appear to show that my upper lobes are just not doing the job they were hired to do!
The x-rays showed nothing new. The 9mm nodule is still wherever it was in 2003 so that is good, too. Lungs are hyperinflated (which is nothing new). Okay, onward and upward with more tests on the 20th. I'm interested in seeing just what my PFT shows...especially since I've not had one since my little go-round with pneumonia in 2005.
9/15/06
I've been reading Cathy-MD's reports on her LVRS and I'm sort of having second thoughts about this. She says she's in quite a bit of pain (oh well, I can just moan and groan along with the best of them)...but she DID have a double LVRS operation. And it appears the pain is in the area of the drains...and I think one of those drains was in longer than usual. Bec-Saba said this is normal....so I guess I could manage it...as long as I don't sneeze or cough!
The lady from Dr. Cooper's office called today and he wants to see me at 12:30 next Wednesday instead of 2:00 so now we'll have the great shuffle around of the 4 tests remaining...6-minute walk, abg, ctscan and pft. I SHOULD have called them earlier in the week and told them I was available yesterday and today but.........I wonder if he wants to see me earlier so he can get an earlier start on his weekend??
