Thread by @DavidLat

1/ THREAD. Today, about 7 months after my last visit and a year after getting out of the hospital, I went to the pulmonologist for a check-up (a new pulmonologist who works with many post-Covid patients). #covid19 #covid #coronavirus #longcovid

2/ One of the @nyulangone pulmonologists who treated me while I was in the ICU on a ventilator last March dropped by to say hello — and I got a little teary as I thanked her. #Covid #covid19 #coronavirus #longcovid

3/ The good news is that my lungs have continued to improve since my last visit in September (which my pulmonologist said is consistent with what they’re seeing with many post-Covid patients a year out). #covid #covid19 #coronavirus #longcovid

4/ My pulmonary function tests (PFTs) showed my lung volumes, including total lung capacity, are basically normal, as are my maximum flow rates. My diffusing capacity is a little below normal, but only a little. #covid #COVID19 #coronavirus #longcovid

5/ I took the six-minute walk test, and it was fine. I covered a good amount of ground, without stopping; my oxygen never went below 98; and my pulse never got that high, maybe a little over 100. #covid #covid19 #longcovid #coronavirus

6/ My blood work was all normal, including my D-dimer — so no blood clots or pulmonary embolism, which is what my cardiologist wanted to rule out. #covid #covid19 #longcovid #coronavirus

7/ My pulmonologist listened to my lung sounds with a stethoscope (auscultation), and everything sounded normal. #covid #covid19 #longcovid #coronavirus

8/ My pulmonologist stressed the importance of regular cardiovascular exercise to strengthen my lungs (and said the regularity is more important than the intensity or duration). #covid #covid19 #longcovid #coronavirus

9/ When I was in the hospital last year, after getting off the ventilator but while still on supplemental oxygen, I wondered if my lungs would ever return to normal; a year later, it seems like they’re close to normal once again. #covid #covid19 #LongCovid

10/ I’ve said this many times before, but I’m grateful to be doing so well and to be receiving such excellent care, which not every person who has had Covid can say. #covid #covid19 #longcovid #coronavirus

11/ I feel especially grateful to be doing so well considering what the ongoing research says about the lingering symptoms and increased health risks experienced by many #LongCovid sufferers. This study is just the latest of many:

nyti.ms/2QPkAHk