Lungs- process of elimination
The docs have so far ruled out tuberculosis, lymphoma, HIV, Histoplasmosis (or coccidiomycosis), drug-induced pseudo lymphoma, an auto-immune reaction to hyperlipidimia, and bubonic plague. Wheee that was a lot of tests.
They want to call the fact that my lymph-nodes are still trying to strangle me "Sarcoidosis", which is doctor-speak for "We don't know why this is happening or what did this to you, but maybe we can treat the symptoms?" This does not suit me, being a medical research scientist. I want to figure this bitch out!
One very interesting angle: I am a bit of a "mad" scientist- prone to following up impossible theories and ignoring dogmatic interpretations in search of causes and effects that others might have ignored. One of my most interesting projects has been exploring possible biological/environmental factors that could bring about asthma in humans. No one knows EXACTLY what causes asthma to do what it does, instead of being just a common allergic reaction that gives you the sniffles. I have developed some rather novel theories and in their pursuit I have had rather close contact with one of these substances in particular. Since it was just a mad theory my work has not been contained in a biological safety hood, nor have I been protected by a respirator. If I have managed to give myself asthma, well, that would actually be incredibly interesting! The conditions in my lungs could just be part of the induction response. I have gotten together with a pulmonary specialist who is now my doctor and we are going to go 'sploring: bronchoscopy, biopsies, asthmatic induction studies and a cellular and enzymatic breakdown of my bronchealveolar lavage (they put a hose up my sinus and down my windpipe and flush out one lobe of my lungs with saline). Awful procedures all, but at least now I'm suffering for science. Keep posted!
They want to call the fact that my lymph-nodes are still trying to strangle me "Sarcoidosis", which is doctor-speak for "We don't know why this is happening or what did this to you, but maybe we can treat the symptoms?" This does not suit me, being a medical research scientist. I want to figure this bitch out!
One very interesting angle: I am a bit of a "mad" scientist- prone to following up impossible theories and ignoring dogmatic interpretations in search of causes and effects that others might have ignored. One of my most interesting projects has been exploring possible biological/environmental factors that could bring about asthma in humans. No one knows EXACTLY what causes asthma to do what it does, instead of being just a common allergic reaction that gives you the sniffles. I have developed some rather novel theories and in their pursuit I have had rather close contact with one of these substances in particular. Since it was just a mad theory my work has not been contained in a biological safety hood, nor have I been protected by a respirator. If I have managed to give myself asthma, well, that would actually be incredibly interesting! The conditions in my lungs could just be part of the induction response. I have gotten together with a pulmonary specialist who is now my doctor and we are going to go 'sploring: bronchoscopy, biopsies, asthmatic induction studies and a cellular and enzymatic breakdown of my bronchealveolar lavage (they put a hose up my sinus and down my windpipe and flush out one lobe of my lungs with saline). Awful procedures all, but at least now I'm suffering for science. Keep posted!