So we’ll start with the important stuff. Test results and update was good. CT showed the lesions were stable. Good news, as the expectation is that over the time you are building up the medicine, the cancer is still spreading, so stable is good. Radiologist had some testing suggestions for tracking moving forward (see Nitty Gritty) so we’ll discuss if a different process will be used. Lab levels are all good, nothing that shows any issues needing addressing elsewhere in my body. Side effects that are presenting are minimal and manageable.
So good midway progress and prognosis
Now, the weird. Or, as my sister now says, ‘so 2020’.
I get brought into the infusion center and get a space with a window so now I can watch the weather. We knew the storm was predicted for 4-5 o’clock, but appt. was at 2:00 so no big deal. Now with delays in the office we’re starting at 3:45. So everything gets going (see Nitty Gritty) and I’m waiting for the time to pass reading my book and an alarm goes off. So first the nurses are “was that a phone, or the building?” It was the building, so now they have to move everyone in a window room to an interior room. So I join the parade of patients with active IVs, many of who are not in good physical condition, trying to get to an internal room that has also been cleaned and prepped in CoVid world. So they get us all settled and I ask what’s happening in the waiting room? My nurse says she’ll check, but I text Ellen and get a text back “we are sheltered in the basement”. Then the nurse brings Ellen into my room and I realize that the text wasn’t from her in response to mine, but coincidentally from my sister Eileen, talking about her home in Wisconsin. Eventually the infusion finishes and we then have to wait another 10 minutes until the severe storm warning expires until we can leave the hospital. We drive home in the rain and call it a day.
Hope everyone stayed safe during the storms and your neighborhoods weren’t impacted too much
Be kind
When they prep me for the infusion it goes through stages. They prep my arm for the IV (heating pad, alcohol prep), then they run some saline, then the medicine is mixed for the IV, then the hang the medicine, afterward run some more saline, and then I’m free. So each time they go in and out I can see the sky getting darker, the wind blowing, and try to make some concerning small talk. But there was a nice printed protocol they followed. The head nurse, kept showing it to the others saying, “See…, #1- Keep calm”. So well managed with minimal challenge.
What a day! Glad to hear the news was good overall! You will conquer this yet!
Crazy! It seems everyday they change the number of tornadoes that touched down in our area! So glad things are progressing AND you made it home safe! Missing my partner in crime!
A bit behind on checking updates on you…. stable is good when you think things are increasing… first step in turning stuff so the slope goes in the other direction!
Hate getting stuck and hopefully the folks you interact with are good “hooking” you up…
Glad all are safe. I love watching the weather especially clouds … okay I prefer being on the beach watching the waves… Dang I need yo ge on a cruise!
Thinking of you
Chuck, thanks for the update…pretty scary here in WI, with a tornado touching down 4-5 miles from our house in Bristol. Sounds like you are doing great and the cancer is not continuing to spread…which is a very good sign. Let me know when you are up for a walk of sorts and I’ll drive up for a walk and chat! Keep pounding forward, I fully expect you back on that bike for the 2021 season!
Hang in my friend!
M