Where to begin . . . I guess I’ll just start and see where we go. I have good news! Yes, GOOD news!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to say that. Thank you Jesus that I can share this with you.

Last week I had a full pulmonary (lung) function test and two doctors’ appointments.  My lung function has greatly improved since my January measurements. The respiratory therapist repeated the tests several times to make sure he was getting an accurate reading.

The most remarkable part of the testing was my DLCO level. “The DLCO measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries.” It was 50% (normal is greater than 80%), but for me, this is an incredibly good number. In January it measured at 29%.

I knew subjectively, that I was doing better. At the beginning of the year, I struggled to get dressed. Being a lover of iced tea, I drank water instead because I was too tired to brew tea. It was not looking good. I told my lung doctor last week that I felt I was headed in a downward direction and he said, “You were.” My stem cell doctor also believed my health was headed in the wrong direction. He said, “I was very concerned.”

Then, my stem cell doctor blew my mind last week.  He told me that he believes I will eventually come off of my supplemental oxygen! Something I had resigned myself to, may never happen.

In March, things started turning a corner. On my Fitbit watch I was averaging 725 steps per day. This month I’m averaging . . . drumroll . . . 2,470! That’s a huge difference in strength, endurance and accomplishing the things a stay-at-home mom wants to do!

So, of course the question is, “Why the improvement?” We don’t definitively know. My goodness, we’ve been hammering away at this GVHD of the lungs for nearly 3 years (2 years and 7 months on oxygen).  I came off of the GVHD study drug in February and began a new drug, Imbruvica. We also tweeked my other medications here and there. I began feeling so much better in March – but that’s too early to positively link it to the Imbruvica. But, hey, I’ll take it! I’ve had incredible physicians’ care and most importantly, the Lord has walked with me this whole time. He’s guided my medical team, given endurance and patience to my family and friends, and dealt with me in my own spiritual tug-of-war. So, why now? I’ve begged Him for health for nearly 6 years. God only knows.