speechless...literally

it's been a rough week or so. i can't really talk very well right now because there is a tightness in my throat that is pushing on my vocal chords.

i can't say certain words or letters very well anymore...like the letter 'e', or words that contain the long e sound. sometimes i have to write things down so people can understand me.

thursday after work, i was admitted to the hospital for a 24 hour stay because of this and shortness of breath/pressure in my chest. they ran test after test to make sure my heart and lungs were okay.

i had: ekg, chest x-ray, chest CT, echo, and some scope thingy they stuck up my nose that went down my throat to look at my vocal cords.

my left lung and heart are surrounded by fluid, but we already knew that. they wanted me to stay for the weekend, but i fought that because there was really nothing more they could do for me. plus, i really just wanted to be home.

basically, it's just the cancer (and 2.5 years of chemo damage) doing its thing. it sucks, but at least i'm not in a lot of pain yet.

i am home now, trying to catch on up the sleep that i didn't/couldn't get in the hospital. paul has been feeding me well, making sure i take my meds on time, and bringing me whatever i need/want.

back to work tomorrow, more tests to come this week. more chemo, and possibly radiation to the sternum.

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the highlight of my weekend was izabella's tinkerbell-themed birthday party on saturday. this was another reason i didn't want to be stuck in the hospital all weekend....

Happy 3rd Birthday, Iz!!!

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Monday Update: I received the results from the ENT today. I have Vocal Cord Paralysis (left side).

Things just keep getting better and better.