I just love test time. All I have been doing is going to the doctors or going to get test. Last week I had a blood test and a follow up with my primary and my rheumatologist. The current information is not too bad considering. My ACE(angiotensin converting enzyme) is extremely elevated but I would have guessed that. My vitamin D is still low and I have an order to get another blood test(oh goody I get stuck again!) to break it down further to know for sure whether or not I need to take it in pill form. She is worried that people with low vitamin D don't fight cancer as well as those with normal vitamin D levels. The rest of my blood was normal which is fantastic.

Next week I have scheduled an MRI for my lumbar spine and a mammogram. Not fun, but at least I will not be getting stuck for these.

I got the CT scan results and got good and bad news. The good news is the lymph nodes in my mediastinum have shrunk. The bad news is I have more permanent lung scarring. It's around where my R middle lobe is collapsed. They (Dr. Carter and Dr. Rehman) feel the reason for the shrinkage in lymph nodes came from the MTX(methotrexate). So I am now back on a stronger dose of it and I get to inject it weekly, Hooray!! NOT! I did the first injection Friday and it was not bad at all. With the 3 meds I am taking to avoid the side effects hopefully it won't make me feel to bad.

And with that honor I also get to go once a month for a blood test to check my liver enzymes. We discussed referring me to an endocrinologist because with both my thyroid and vitamin D levels off maybe he/she could offer some info.

This week I had my pain management appointment and Friday I go to my oncologist. I cannot wait until I have my service dog to take with me to all these appointments so at least I have some company.

melissa