March 4th, huh? March Fourth? March Forth!

To celebrate today, I’ll share an update where MARCH FORTH! seems like a good motto. In my last post, I wrote that I’d done some tests related to my shortness of breath. It feels a little silly to say that as a person with cystic fibrosis (CF) because, well, “difficulty breathing” is pretty much the disease’s tagline. But the shortness of breath—for this length of time and to this extent—has been unusual for me.

Most of the tests yielded normal results, except the cardiopulmonary exercise test. As I exercised, I wore a pulse oximeter—that little device they often use at the start of doctor visits. It clamps down on your fingertip to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. A healthy oxygen saturation level is usually 95 to 100%.

Before I started walking on the treadmill, my level was 93%, which isn’t great, but it’s not terribly concerning, either. However, during the test, my oxygen saturation dropped into the eighties. My lowest reading was 79 or 80%, which is absolutely [100%] concerning. A level that low is considered a medical emergency since vital organs aren’t getting enough oxygen.

Enter the new question: Why is my oxygen dropping so low?

On Monday, I went to the hospital for several tests. During one, I inhaled small amounts of carbon monoxide to see how much traveled from my lungs into my bloodstream. I had more tests yesterday, including a V/Q scan where I became temporarily radioactive(!) to determine how well air and blood flow through my lungs. Those test results all appear to be normal.

Enter the newest question: Is it actually a heart issue?

Next on the docket is a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), which hasn’t been scheduled yet. Under anesthesia, they’ll send a probe down the esophagus. It’s essentially an ultrasound from the inside to better understand how the heart is functioning. More to come on the TEE. TEE-HEE!

Obviously, I’m not thrilled about any of this, but I’m *quite* excited by the thought of having answers that lead to me NOT being short of breath (eventually). These health changes have been limiting, and ain’t nothin’ holdin’ the Drewdle back. Yep, I typed that.

MARCH FORTH, LOVELY PEOPLE!