Cleveland

today we traveled to cleveland for my quarterly check-up.  the routine was the same...  two breathing tests that are from hell.  "blow! blow! blow!" cheers the technician trying to have me empty my lungs as much as possible.  i hate this one. i usually get light-headed and sometimes nauseous after 5 or 6 attempts to get consistent results.

the next one was less harsh; it tested the ability of my lungs to exchange gases.  this test could be made more fun if i got a dose of helium.  after resting a few minutes, we were escorted back to the waiting room.

the two women seated at the reception area are hoots.  i spent time talking with them and teasing them a bit.  i ordered a gin and tonic or a long island iced tea.  the woman on the right reached down into a bottom desk drawer as if she keeps a stash of booze. 

then my name was called; donna and i were escorted to a consultation room. jeff chapman, my pulmonologist, spent 30 minutes gathering information, discussing test results, and checking my lungs for crackles.  then together, we decided on a course of action for the next quarter.  the results were not too bad.  my breathing test results revealed a dip in my lung capacity.  the doctor, however, was not too concerned at this point. no change in medications...  i was hoping for a reduction in the steroids.

leaving the clinic, we headed back to dayton.  .  it's good to be home!