Diagnosis: Dipnech

09/07/2026

A Welcomed Change

As I navigate the DIPNECH diagnosis identified in May of 2014 by both my pulmonologist and oncologist; and now the treatments I am currently receiving for this condition (with side effects, which for me are unpleasant and at times debilitating), I am also noticing changes in my character.
What has been meant to break me and devastate me is refining me and drawing me even more closer to God. It is deepening faith and my relationship with Him. I desire His presence more often.
The most noticeable change has been/is my calm, quiet reactions- even silent responses to people, situations or circumstances. I still have my unique expressions, sense of humor and I still have a strong intolerance for injustice, only mellow. Galatians 5:22-23 is a continuous reminder.
I am loving and embracing the new attributes fully!

Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

[Image: Courtesy of the internet]

06/06/2026

28/05/2026

After some careful consideration, I am opting for treatment and will begin within the next several days.
Thank you to everyone who has shared about their experience with their treatments. This has been encouraging.
I will post more regarding this following my first injection. 

20/05/2026

UPDATE: 2026
I recently went for my annual follow up with my oncologist to determine if there have been any changes or progression of DIPNECH.
Because the oncologist who specializes in this disease is located two hours away, I decided this time to have my scans done closer to home due to needing reliable transportation and also for convenience. BIG MISTAKE.
The new scan has shown progression of the disease from a year ago.
With this new development, my doctor wanted to begin treatment with a medication injection, which would need to be injected every 28 days. I was only notified I would be receiving treatment days before my post scan appointment. With only days to research this medicine and any benefits or side effects, I had already determined I would likely choose to wait before moving forward with this type of treatment. My specialist had already prepared my treatment without notifying me himself to discuss this new development and my options. He felt it best for me to see him in person to have this conversation.
I asked a dear friend and coworker if she would be willing to drive me two hours to my appointment. I always pay for gas and a meal during our travels.
Upon arriving at my specialist’s office and letting him know my reluctance to any treatment without thorough discussion and research, we had the discussion during this appointment with his nurse present. His observation and examination of me showed I am functioning better than the scan reported. We both agreed to wait another year and I would monitor my condition carefully. If I notice any changes in the progression of symptoms related to DIPNECH, I would revisit the option for medication treatment.

Here is the issue:
The facility located near him is far more advanced in technology for conducting scans relating to DIPNECH and other carcinoid tumors of the lungs. The facility near me only gave him written data without providing him with actual visual scans- pictures of my lungs he could compare to the previous year.
This presents a major problem with consistency for evaluating the current status and/or progression of the disease.
Hindsight is 20/20. Moving forward, I will be having the scans done at the facility close to the specialist from now on, even if it means traveling two hours to get there.
I am noticing more coughing and exhaustion. We have also determined the disease is progressing at the rate of every three years. Therefore, I will be keeping a log of my symptoms for the next several months. The medication injections have been approved for one year. If I determine, I am needing relief from the symptoms, I will contact my specialist to begin treatment sooner.
There are no shortcuts. It is best to have the scans done at the facility closest to the doctor which specializes in CT scans and contrast for comparisons of progression or changes with this disease.
It is also very important to research the medication for side effects in case treatments are in place for other pre-existing conditions.
I am currently being treated for diabetes and high blood pressure. The medication which is used to treat carcinoid tumors can adversely affect pre-existing conditions by doing more harm than good.
In my case, I would be the first patient my specialist would be treating using these injections for.DIPNECH.

20/05/2026

In 2025, The Cleveland Clinic launched the first DIPNECH Program.

Cleveland Clinic has launched a new program devoted to researching and treating diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH).

28/01/2026

Different Ladybugs in the Garden (And Why It Matters) 🐞🌿

Not all ladybugs are the same — and some are way more helpful than others 😅 Here’s how to understand their role in your garden:

1️⃣ The “problem” ladybug
Some species have a clear M-shaped marking on their head area.
They can sometimes bite and release a strong smell when disturbed 😬

2️⃣ Easy to mix them up
Many gardeners confuse them with the friendly ones, and that can cause imbalance in the garden 🌱

3️⃣ The beneficial ladybug
Usually no M mark, and it doesn’t bite ✅
It’s a natural pest control hero because it eats aphids and other pests 🐛

4️⃣ A natural garden helper
These good ladybugs protect plants and support balance without chemicals 🌿✨

Relatable comment: You see a ladybug and think “cute!”… then one day you meet the bitey one and go “okay never mind”

31/10/2025

It is time to discuss new findings and observations of DIPNECH. The phlegm is definitely and issue. The spontaneous coughing is definitely concerning. There must be a remedy besides cough syrup.
Fatigue seems to be an issue, also.

09/04/2025

My lung scans went from yearly to every two years, then back to yearly.
I recently had my scan. Normally, I vomit profusely from the IV dye contrast and the speed in which it is injected.
I challenged the technicians. I felt like they were disregarding my concerns about my previous experiences during the process.
Evidently, there is a new procedure that minimizes the side effects including the violent vomiting. Previously, the technician manually injected the contrast and they would “force” it in at a fast rate which would cause the body to react adversely. This newer procedure makes the process much more tolerable. I am curious what this new procedure entails.
Requesting a dish or bag to throw up in, I kept it by my mouth just in case I needed it. The technicians also offer alcohol wipes to place under the nose which is supposed to help prevent nausea. It is THIS smell/taste that would turn my stomach, causing me to vomit in violent successions. I declined the pad for this reason.
The preliminary results of my scan show that the DIPNECH is stable.
It is recommended that my scans resume to yearly.
I have been coughing the last several weeks due to recent colds and pollen.

23/03/2025

I saw my pulmonologist recently. What was supposed to be my biannual appointment has now changed to annual appointments because I missed a bi-yearly scan.
We discussed my 2023 adrenalectomy due to a Cushing’s tumor. When I called his office in 2023 to ask if this “endocrine” scenario could correlated to DIPNECH, the answer was “No”.
Having this same discussion with him two years later in person, he now thinks the Cushing’s tumor is “suspicious” and that it ‘may be’ related to DIPNECH.
I am scheduled for my scan in the next few weeks. I will learn if the scan shows stabilization or if there has been an increase in benign tumors.