Dr. Flenner (Infectious Disease) called yesterday with disappointing news. According to the latest test result, the histoplasmosis count in my body is up, instead of down! What does that mean? That the drug (Sporanox itraconazole) is not effective? Or that I had been taking it only two weeks when the test was done, and so it had not taken hold?

Meanwhile, I am feeling stronger. My lung capacity and blood oxygen levels are improving. When I'm sitting around or walking around the house, my blood oxygen is above 95%, which is what a healthy person would find if s/he did the measurement. Dr. Donlan (Pulmonary) said that, if my blood oxygen level stays above 90% when I'm walking outside, without oxygen, then I don't need to use the oxygen at night. I think I'm almost there. I walked about two tenths of a mile yesterday with the oxymeter attached to my finger, and my "blood ox" dropped into the upper 80s a couple of times, but was in the 90s most of the time. And I've been building up strength by walking. There's a seven-tenths of a mile loop in my neighborhood that I've been walking once or twice a day.

So, it's a mystery. I'm feeling better as the days go by, with better lung capacity, and yet the latest histo count is up rather than down. What gives? My next appointment with Dr. Flenner is January 2. Stay tuned.