The Calm after the Storm

It has been a tumultuous few days but there is a calm after the storm and for this we are so thankful.

After the last visit to see the doctor, Fiona's breathing had steadily deteriorated and breathlessness started with less and less exertions. On Wednesday, this looked so bad that we contacted Prof Yip to get us connected to Hospis Malaysia. This connection took place very quickly and we were able to pick up an Oxygen Concentrator to assist Fiona in her breathing.

The machine seemed to become a double-edged sword as Fiona immediately was able to breathe better, but also quickly became dependent on the oxygen supply, so much so that she quickly became distressed without it. Rather than allow her to grow stronger through better rest, it seemed to worsen her ability to breathe independently. Worse, her sleep quality did not improve as her continued and repeated breathless episodes at night prevented her from getting any real rest.

This all came to a head on Friday morning when we realised that the worsening of her condition needed intervention in the form of another visit to the hospital. Even the trip to the hospital was difficult, as it required Fiona to use a portable oxygen tank. Upon arrival at the hospital, we realised the extent of the deterioration of her condition when she was not able to make the walk into the hospital but required a wheelchair and a continuous supply of oxygen.

A quick X-ray revealed that the amount of fluid in both lungs had visibly increased. And Prof Yip's assessment of her condition was that she needed immediate hospitalization. So Fiona was admitted on Friday morning. With an acute shortage of space, Fiona was given a bed in an open ward rather than a preferred single room. Still, it was a peaceful ward, and the environment seemed alright.

Arriving at her bed, Prof wasted no time and began the procedure to extract the liquid from Fiona's right lung. After a painful 30 minutes, some 700ml had been extracted. This was followed by a painful few hours of recovery, as the local anesthesia wore off and Fiona experienced the full pain of having had a thick needle in her back. After the pain had dimmed to a bearable level, it became apparent that there was little effect on Fiona's breathing. She was still as dependent on the oxygen.

Still, the night bore some good fruit. Fiona was able to get more rest than on previous nights.

In the morning, Prof decided to repeat the lung tap, but this time on the left lung. This procedure, as painful as the first, extracted some 900ml of fluid. Worse, this was followed by terrible coughing spasms lasting 90 minutes, an awful experience. When this finally ceased, Fiona was able to rest, but it seemed that the second procedure also had had little effect on Fiona's breathing and dependence on oxygen.

We then decided that she should stay in the hospital for at least a few more days as it would be very difficult to cope at home without medical care. After this, Fiona rested.

Things were very different in the afternoon. Waking from her sleep, she declared that she felt better and decided to try weaning herself off the oxygen supply. Amazingly, she was able to stay off for 20 minutes when she could barely have managed 20 seconds earlier that day! However, because her blood oxygen levels were measured to be below normal, we decided to put her back onto the oxygen supply, but at no more than half the previous flow rate.

Things only got better from then on. She was able to have dinner with little oxygen assistance, she was able to make a trip to the bathroom (something we so easily take for granted), and she was able to speak to visitors (when breathing would previously have caused breathlessness). Her energy levels were clearly picking up, and smiles were more forthcoming and frequent.

Even as this entry is posted, she sleeps soundly, breathing smoothly and seemingly effortlessly, something not seen a while.

There is little to say except to praise God for His mercies and His quiet miracles to remind us that, even in a storm, He is still a sovereign and faithful God. Thank you Lord.

And for all your prayers and kind thoughts and wishes, thank you and God bless you.  Please keep praying.

Tough Going

Fiona had breathing problems in the last day or two, especially at night. We paid a visit to Prof Yip today and her assessment is that the disease may have spread into the lungs, thereby causing even greater problems than just the water alone. She suggested that we restart some form of treatment right away. We agreed on Aromasin (a form of Hormone Therapy) and that will start today. She has also suggested that we look to a Hospice to get a tank of oxygen for Fiona should she need it. This is not someplace we wanted to get to. Please keep praying.

Slow Recovery

Hi all. This is just a quick update on Fiona's condition.

Wish we could report that all is well. Unfortunately, Fiona continues to experience breathlessness and coughing. The coughing comes and goes, but the breathlessness has not shown any improvement. If anything, it might be getting a bit worse.

The coughing also got especially bad yesterday. A quick visit to the local GP revealed that she has developed a throat infection. It's back onto antibiotics for now. Will be contacting the doctors at UMMC to see if anything can or should be done about the breathlessness.

Directions

Our visit to UMMC yesterday revealed possible reasons for Fiona's slow recovery as well as some new options for treatment.

Firstly, a chest X-ray revealed a penumothorax (a pocket of air outside the lung) and a partial collapse of the right lung. These are likely the cause for Fiona's continued breathlessness. (She is able to move about well, but gets breathless after climbing a flight of stairs or walking a short distance.) The doctors say that this should improve over time, maybe a few weeks. Please pray that this happens quickly.

There is also the possibility that the Pleurodesis procedure was not successful, which means that, after all the effort, it will not stop the increase of water in the lungs.

We have been asked to consider restarting some form of treatment soon. It has been suggested that Fiona starts another course of Hormone Therapy, either Aromasin (Exemestane) or Faslodex (Fulvestrant). While these are less toxic than chemo, they still have their side effects. Please pray along with us for wisdom in this decision.

Our next appointment will be on September 2.

On The Road to Recovery

Hello all!  Thank you for the many messages expressing your caring and concern.  It has been good hearing from so many of you and we appreciate your fellowship.  We have also received some suggestions for persons to contact regarding Oncologists in Singapore.  Thank you for those, they are very helpful.

As a quick update, we are glad that Fiona is recovering from her last procedure.  The recovery is a bit slow.  She continues to cough and the pain in the ribs and back are still there, albeit reduced in intensity and frequency.  Her gastric pains are also significantly less but not all gone yet.  Of greater concern is that she still has a tendency to get breathless after minor exertions like climbing the stairs.  Our next appointment with Prof Yip is on Tuesday.  In the meantime, we would appreciate your prayers for a complete recovery from these and regaining of strength.