A Few Hours of Testing Turns Into Fourteen

Mark and Dianna went to the hospital yesterday in anticipation of a few hours of testing. They arrived at 7:00 am for a MUGA scan at the Huntsman Center. A MUGA scan is an evaluation of the function of the heart ventricles. It provides a movie-like image of the beating heart and allows doctors to determine the health of the heart’s major pumping chambers.

Right after the MUGA, Mark and Dianna rushed to the University for a pulmonary function test. Everything went great and they were off for a break. They spent the time checking out their new digs for the next several weeks while Mark undergoes high-dose chemo.

At 3:00 pm, they arrived for the CT scan and chest/sinus x-rays, and were ready for their next appointment at Research Park -- the MRI. Mark and Dianna were surprised to find out that the MRI would take about 3.5 hours. The purpose of the MRI would be to look at each lesion at extremely deep views. Unforunately for Mark, there would be no music, no movement, and no cool air.

During the CT scan, the technicians found free air in Mark's stomach. BAD NEWS!!! They were worried that the air could be the result of leaks in his bowels, so Mark spent the next few hours drinking dye WHILE continuing his MRI session.

After the MRI, Mark and Dianna arrived back at the Huntsman Center around 7:00 pm for another CT scan on his stomach. They were told that there was a possibility that Mark would be ending his day in EMERGENCY SURGERY.

After some difficulty getting in contact with the PA to get directions on what to do next, they were finally able to reach Dr. Zangari. Apparently free air could be caused from the chemo or steroids that Mark had taken earlier, and that as long as no symptons were apparent, such as fever and tenderness, that they should go home. Mark was more than thrilled to hear that after spending what seemed like an eternity thinking that he would be getting his abdomen cut open.

Apparently chemotherapy can produce pin-size air bubbles. The bubbles can feel like the size of baseballs and can cause major pain and discomfort. Once the bubble pops, it will cause free air. In certain circumstances, free air is an indication that something is very wrong.

Mark is scheduled for another CT scan on Monday, along with lab work, an echocardiogram, and a bone marrow biopsy.

The GREAT news is that Mark is feeling really good despite the fact that their quick day of lab work turned into 14 hours!!!

Mark is scheduled to see Dr. Zangari on February 5th. The plan is to start high-dose I.V. chemo on the 6th, pill-form chemo over the weekend, more high-dose on the 9th. After that, they will begin the stem cell transplant.

Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated.

Thanks for the support, David! It's not too late for anyone else to join the "Strapper 'Bald Head' Support Club".