In great Ashley fashion, she did very well with her trip to the hospital and recovered well from the procedure. Right now, Ashley is off with her Grammie getting spoiled by shopping. With no one in the house but me and the pets, I am off to my own devices which usually means I have to much time to think, to research, to worry, to vent, to hope and to pray.
Today Ashley had a broncioscope to find out why she has been coughing for six months. After getting up at 4:30 am and at the hospital at 6 am, the scope began at approximately 7:30 am. The procedure itself took less than 30 minutes. The outcome of the procedure left me with more questions than answers.
We do know why Ashley is coughing, Ashley has a vocal cord dysfunction, enlarged adnenoids and tonsils. Finding out why Ashley is coughing is good news, however, we also learned that Ashley may have other issues involving her lungs. There was 60mL of fluid in her lungs. Some samples of her lungs were sent for a cell count, bacterial culture, viral smears and culture.
Here are what the findings of her scope as written on the hospital report:
*Adenoidal Hypertrophy Moderate
*Lingual lymphoid hyperplasia Moderate
*Mild left vocal cord dysfunction airway edema
*Inanomiate artery compression of trachea
*Airway secretions were found in the lower airway
*BAL was performed in the left and right lower lobe of lung and sent for cell count, bacterial culture, viral smears & culture, and fungal & AFP analysis. 60mL of fluid were instilled. 20mL were returned. The return was cellular and mucoid.
*A cilia biopsy was performed in the Right nasopharynx.
What does all of this mean? I have no clue! I do know that Ashley's adenoids have grown back and are now enlarged and her tonsils are enlarged too. I know that none of this medical mumbo jumbo sounds good. I do know that I have so many more questions then I did before the scope but I am not sure how to ask them, what to ask or even if I should have questions.
Christmas in Mobile with my mom, sister's and in-laws may not occur this year. As Ashley will more than likely be admitted to the hospital for more procedures. We know for certain that she will have a GI study, an adenoidectemy and tonsillectomy, as well as a sweat study for cystic fibrosis. They are also checking Ashley for immune deficiency and sinopulmonary syndrome. We will not have a clear plan until after all of her test results (biopsy, tissue study, CBS's, immune study, liver panel) come back from the lab.
I am trying not to worry until I have something to worry about but I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn't worried; I am worried. Ashley has an infection somewhere in her lungs, she may have an immune deficiency. Right now, the only treatment is a a heavy dose of an antibiotic called Cipro. However, I haven't filled the prescription because my research shows that it can adversely affect the liver. Once I get the approval from Ashley liver doc on the antibiotic, I will fill the prescription. Yes, I have more questions than answers.
Anyone want to join me in my world?
Living on shaky ground, Laurie
Today Ashley had a broncioscope to find out why she has been coughing for six months. After getting up at 4:30 am and at the hospital at 6 am, the scope began at approximately 7:30 am. The procedure itself took less than 30 minutes. The outcome of the procedure left me with more questions than answers.
We do know why Ashley is coughing, Ashley has a vocal cord dysfunction, enlarged adnenoids and tonsils. Finding out why Ashley is coughing is good news, however, we also learned that Ashley may have other issues involving her lungs. There was 60mL of fluid in her lungs. Some samples of her lungs were sent for a cell count, bacterial culture, viral smears and culture.
Here are what the findings of her scope as written on the hospital report:
*Adenoidal Hypertrophy Moderate
*Lingual lymphoid hyperplasia Moderate
*Mild left vocal cord dysfunction airway edema
*Inanomiate artery compression of trachea
*Airway secretions were found in the lower airway
*BAL was performed in the left and right lower lobe of lung and sent for cell count, bacterial culture, viral smears & culture, and fungal & AFP analysis. 60mL of fluid were instilled. 20mL were returned. The return was cellular and mucoid.
*A cilia biopsy was performed in the Right nasopharynx.
What does all of this mean? I have no clue! I do know that Ashley's adenoids have grown back and are now enlarged and her tonsils are enlarged too. I know that none of this medical mumbo jumbo sounds good. I do know that I have so many more questions then I did before the scope but I am not sure how to ask them, what to ask or even if I should have questions.
Christmas in Mobile with my mom, sister's and in-laws may not occur this year. As Ashley will more than likely be admitted to the hospital for more procedures. We know for certain that she will have a GI study, an adenoidectemy and tonsillectomy, as well as a sweat study for cystic fibrosis. They are also checking Ashley for immune deficiency and sinopulmonary syndrome. We will not have a clear plan until after all of her test results (biopsy, tissue study, CBS's, immune study, liver panel) come back from the lab.
I am trying not to worry until I have something to worry about but I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn't worried; I am worried. Ashley has an infection somewhere in her lungs, she may have an immune deficiency. Right now, the only treatment is a a heavy dose of an antibiotic called Cipro. However, I haven't filled the prescription because my research shows that it can adversely affect the liver. Once I get the approval from Ashley liver doc on the antibiotic, I will fill the prescription. Yes, I have more questions than answers.
Anyone want to join me in my world?
Living on shaky ground, Laurie
Comments
I hear the fear & frustration in your update. I hope that all the pending tests come back ok. Cipro is something Jen & Jon have been on post transplant many times. I will keep Ashley and you too in my prayers.
Karen - Jen & Jon's mom
Laurie