A week ago, before leaving for California, I had my latest pulmonary function consult. I have to go in for a special test where they get me inside this chamber and I have to perform several exercises by blowing into this machine that measures my pulmonary functions, then I get to talk with the doctor about it.
Overall it was good. The test basically gives three sets of numbers that measure three distinct properties of the lungs: volume (the amount of air I can get in my lungs), lung elasticity, and diffusion (the ration of oxygen that passes into the blood stream). The first two improved compared to my last visit, and the doctor said that I am already in the range of what could be considered normal (in the low end of course). The last number, that is, the amount of oxygen that gets in the blood stream, didn't improve much, and is very far from normal. The doctor mentioned that a normal person absorbs 70% of the oxygen in the air taken in one inspiration. I take in only about 40%. He also mentioned I shouldn't expect this to get much better...
Well, at least there were some good things in there :-) That was the last doctor's visit before I move to California. Then I'll have to find new specialist to follow up on everything, but I'll get to be with my family :-)
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