Coughing Up Blood

Daily Quote: "CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD."  --radiologyinfo.org


Sunday, Janurary 23:  I had been coughing up blood during and after my runs for the last four days and have determined that this is not going away and will need to see a doctor.  Searching the internet for causes and discovered 124 possible causes.  The color of my blood is very bright red about 1/2 teaspoon after every cough (several coughs during those running episodes.) The coughing lasts until my heart rate returns to normal, which is less than five minutes.  I don't cough any other times after my running.

Monday, January 24:  Since I haven't seen a doctor in many years had to contact my HMO (Health Plan of Nevada) for a primary care doctor.  My HMO had me on hold on the phone for three hours!  They finally had given me a primary care doctor who is looking for new patients by the name of Dr. Norris at Southwest Medical.  Unfortunately, her receptionist says the earliest my doctor can see me is February 21st at 8:00 a.m.  The receptionist highly suggested I contact my HMO's "24 Hour Advice Nurse" to allow me immediate urgent care.

Finally contacted my HMO's 24 Hour Advice Nurse, who told me to rush to Southwest Medical Urgent Care on Charleston Boulevard and see UC Provider, Dr. Robert Hanser, DO.  The doctor took my vital signs, x-ray tests, and health history.  Since I only cough blood when I'm running, the doctor considered that I might have EIA (exercise induced asthma) and prescribed me an albuterol sulfate inhaler.  He told me that the results of the x-ray would take about 24 hours and that they would contact me about the results.

Tuesday, January 24:  My wife called my cell phone after she came home from work stating that Southwest Medical Radiology had left me a message on my home answering machine when I was working.  Since it's late I won't be able to return Southwest Medical's call until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 25:  Contacted Southwest Medical Radiology as soon as I awoke. During the examinations of my x-rays they noticed a red blotch in the middle of my right lung...and I need to schedule a Cat Scan as soon as possible. The "nodule" is very disconcerting as it probably disagrees with the guess of my having EIA.  I'm scheduled for a Cat Scan on February 2nd at 7:00 a.m.

Not much I can do until the Cat Scan.  I have been reducing the length and intensities of my runs as to avoid stressing my lungs.

A New Year

Daily Quote: "January is a great time to set aside a few days to reassess your personal running vision. Throw out the old; bring in the new." --Jeff Galloway, Olympic runner; writer.

I haven't been posting in this blog because of a bad computer motherboard, plus not much has been happening in my running as I'm very slowly adding more base mileage; ran only 28 miles last week.

Last year, 2010, I made a New Year's Resolution to run more races, therefore decided on running the Las Vegas Competition Series that had a race every month...ran only nine of those series' races due to a sore right hip flexor.  The LVTC Competition Series was fun as I ran a variety of races, 5k, 4 mile, 10k, cross-country, and half marathon.  Also ran my first ultra race, "The Labor of Love 50k Race," when I took 1st Place in the 50-59 year old division.  2010 was a very busy racing year!

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions this year.  My right hip flexor is much better, nevertheless, I think it would be more prudent if I don't race as much this year.  My overall plan this year is to become a stronger, leaner, running machine.  I'm currently 175 pounds on a six foot frame, but would like to weigh 165 pounds with less body fat.  How should I reach that weight goal?  I definitely need to focus on making healthier food choices with smaller portions and I also should put more focus on weight training.  Would like to experiment with other crosstraining activities too such as rowing machines and maybe even ice skating.

I'll be 59 years old on February 7th, which means this is the last year I'll be in the 50-59 year old age division. Next year I WILL be running the 2012 Las Vegas Competition Series as a monster in the over 60 year old division!!