PFT

How do cartoonists spell that sound of disgust and dismissal? Is it ffffffpt or pffffffft? Or something else entirely?

Today, PFT means Pulmonary Function Test. The first time I went to the pulmonologist the nurse had me blow into a tube, so I figured this was a more complicated version of the same thing.

Well, I was right and wrong. It was actually very interesting. I sat in a glass booth where the air pressure is carefully monitored, and asked to perform a variety of breathing tricks. Breathe normally. Take a big breath and let it out slowly. Take a big breath and exhale as quickly as you can. Pant. Now take this drug and do it all over again.

So, certainly not strenuous but it took surprisingly long, almost two hours. The respiratory therapist said everything looked really good.

The purpose of the test is to see if my lungs are healthy enough to withstand surgery, as well as if they're healthy enough to take on the extra work if one lobe is removed. It'll be the pulmonologist who makes the final call -- well, I guess the oncologist and thoracic surgeon will get to weigh in, too -- but it's nice to know that the overall impression is good.