August 23, 2010

Tom went today for his pulmonary function tests and doctor evaluation. While he has less lung capacity and his recovery time (after exertion) has increased, his actual pulmonary function tests reveal no significant change over the past 6 months. This is nothing short of remarkable, considering he has (supposedly) been in what is called “last stage IPF.”  He’s not declined enough to be eligible for a lung transplant yet, so we have no immediate plans to change our daily routines. For our family and friends familiar with medical terms, Tom’s FVC is 56%, FEV1 is 66%, and DLCO is 32%. Six months ago is was FVC, 56%, FEV1, 65%, DLCO, 33% and one year ago it was, FVC, 60%, FEV1, 69%, and DLCO, 36%.

Tom got the doctor’s ok to travel over the next 4 months, so we are talking about visiting our daughter and her family in San Antonio, Texas sometime in the near future. Hopefully, we’ll squeeze in a few off roading excursions as well. Meanwhile, Tom is teaching one class at the Bible College for the fall semester (Minor Prophets) and will continue teaching his adult Sunday School class and helping with the finances at our Christian school. He is still doing orchestra, choir, and adult ensemble for the time being, but he has a plan in place should he need to cut back.

I am finishing up this year’s textbooks for our counseling seminars and getting ready for fall retreats. I’ll be traveling in the fall months, though not as much as in previous years. I’ve cut back my speaking schedule quite a bit after the first of the year in anticipation of Tom becoming less mobile. The way he’s going, however, I may have miscalculated!