EBUS Day. I did not sleep at all last night as my mind kept running over the procedure and its repercussions on my treatment plan. I’m terrified. H picks me up and drops me off at Gastroenterology. It’s not long before the nurse collects me and takes me into another waiting room. There are 4 other patients there. I am last on the list so I wait about 2 hours, wishing I’d brought a book.

Finally my turn. I’m wheeled into the procedure room, laid flat on the bed, oxygen tube in nose, disgusting tasting anaesthetic spray in throat, blood pressure cuff on, cloth over eyes and then they inject the sedatives. I’ve asked for extra sedation as local anaesthetic doesn’t usually have a great effect on me. I can’t see what’s happening but I can hear everything. I can still breathe normally and I can swallow although it feels a bit weird. The sedation works pretty well as they move the scope down my throat and it’s only near the end that I feel discomfort and physically react. They are quick to inject more sedative and all is well.

Afterwards I am wheeled back to the recovery room to rest. The Doctor eventually appears and goes over his operation notes. He says that although it is not yet certain, the Pathologist on initial examination did not see any malignancy. The samples must still be sent for biopsy to confirm one way or another. 

I have hope, just a tiny glimmer. I don’t want to get too excited – if the biopsy comes back with malignancy I’ll be absolutely devastated.

H collects me and takes me home. I have a bad cough, sore lungs and a sore throat but all these are expected and should recede over the next day or two. I am relieved that the EBUS is over. Now I can get on to chemo. I’m so exhausted I crash at about 8pm.