Author: Dave Brazier

I saw Dr. Jeffery Cary, a pulmonologist, on November 24, 2020. Prior to this appointment, I had seen Dr. Cary’s PA, Melody Music, on October 5th for a medical history review. Had a CT scan with contrast of my lungs on November 11, 2020. Immediately prior to the appointment with Dr. Cary, I had a pulmonary function test at his office.

We reviewed the scans and tests. My lungs had cleared since my post chemo scans in July. However, something still showed on the latest scan. Dr. Cary explained to me that because my lung function test was in the generally normal range, that is 91% of expected function with borderline low diffusion, it did not make sense to use any invasive procedures to determine just what we were seeing on the scans. It might be sarcoid or something else, for example, scar tissue.

Dr. Cary asked me to return in six months for another pulmonary function test and to review any new scans. I was cautioned to come in any signs of increased coughs or respiratory infection.

On Tuesday, August 25, 2020 I saw Dr. Aliea Elan Herbert, MD at Swedish Cherry Hill. Dr. Herbert’s medical training and board certification are in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or ‘physiatry’. She discussed the rationale for rehabilitation after my treatments for lymphoma.

Specifically she addressed my needs regarding: Impaired functional mobility, balance, gait, and endurance; Neoplastic malignant related fatigue; Physical deconditioning; and Neuropathy due to chemotherapeutic drug therapy.

Dr. Herbert ordered Physical Therapy to work on increased activity tolerance, lower extremity strengthening, postural optimization, core strengthening, and compression fracture prevention. I will have my first PT session on this Friday, August 28th. Next follow up with Dr. Herbert is on September 25, 2020.