Medical happenings

Short version for people on the go:

Tuesday:  The hearing test went great.  Hearing loss it s possibility with cisplantin, so they monitor it well.
Wednesday: Met with the nice oncologist, Dr. McMullen.  Two things changed: chemo starting Friday (radiation Monday) and I will only have three chemos but at double doses.
Thursday: The "Mock radiation" appointment took longer than they expected so I was in that nasty aspirating headgear too long plus I almost missed my CT scan appoint. One radiologist tech got mad at me that I didn't want to blow off the CT folks.  But the CT folks were nice and rescheduled to later in that day. So all was well. My CT tech, Ethan, was great.  Good end to the medical day.
Friday: Chemo begins. Went well. Full report when I have time to write it.

The long version for people with nothing better to do,  after the break.

Tuesday

The cisplatin—my chemo drug—is an audiotoxin (among other possible negative effects).  About 30% of people who take the drug get significant hearing loss, usually temporarily. So, they do a baseline hearing test to track it and, potentially, change drugs if it is causing a big problem. Usually people with no hearing loss at the onset don’t have a big problem with this side effect.  Luckily, I passed the hearing test with flying colors.  So, I am not worried about this one.

For those who haven’t had a hearing test, she just put me into a sound proof both (like on game shows) and played various noises for me.  I was supposed to click if I heard them.  That was about it…

I liked the audiologist.

Wednesday

I went to see my oncologist, Dr. McMullen, in a pre-appointment for my chemo.  While I was there—and with me in the room—she called my radiologist and they coordinated my treatment.  I found the start of their conversation very reassuring.  I only heard one side, but they had a little period of personal pleasantries.   “Hi, Charlotte. [Kim, the radiologist] How are doing? …Yes, fine.  Thank you for asking.”  I learned later that Dr McMullen just returned from a maternity leave, so I expect that Dr. Kim asked her about her baby.  I did, too.  (Her child is 4 months, just like our puppy; her husband is now home with their baby.)

I don’t think it would happen this way at Stanford.

They were able to agree to move up the treatment to this week.  Chemo on Friday; radiation on Monday.  They found time to do the “mock” radiation appointment on Thursday to confirm that everything was hunky-dory. The other change is that I am only going to have three chemos.  Dr. McMullen explained that the outcomes are a little better if the person can stomach the double dose.  Given my short treatment and my general health, they thought I was a good candidate.  It means my chemo days are 6 hours or so.

I like my oncologist.

Thursday

My morning had been spent tiring Ziggy (4 mile walk on West cliff, along with a period at dog beach plus training/play at home).  I put her in her crate and arrived at noon for my radiation mock trial. I had a CT scan at 12:40 across the road.  The radiation crew said it would take 20-30 minutes tops and I could make the scan appointment, no sweat. 

They put the contraption on me (mask and mouth gear) and put me on the radiation table.  The equipment all spun around me—very sci/fi—as I was trying hard not to aspirate from the mouth thing dipping into the saliva pool forming in the back of my mouth. The latter part is not very sci/fi. They need something better.

I occasionally saw some of the redwoods mural on the ceiling during the ordeal.  I prefer Sutter’s tropical ocean scene (which I have experienced—happily—at my two colonoscopies.) But, I like that they tried to make it more pleasant.  They did have rock music on.  The song was “You can make it if you try”.  Ok, got it, trying here!  Seriously, I wondered if they just had a soundtrack of inspirational music, or if it was just random.  Since the next song was about a sad break-up, I am pretty sure it was not intentional.

Anyway, after a half hour of this, they said it still wasn’t quite right and could I stay for another 15 minutes?  Argh.  I had the CT appointment.  So, they dickered with alternative times.  None worked. They called the CT folks, who weren’t answering.  They did figure out a not-good alternative—do the mock appointment on Monday followed by the real one, but it might put their whole day behind. One guy pressed me to just not show for the CT folks, but I am an appointment keeper, dammit!  He got mad at me and showed his frustration quiet visibly.  I didn’t like that, at all. The woman was very sweet and soothing.  As I was leaving, they got a hold of the CT folks who said I could come in at 2:15.  Problem solved!

Except, I was going to Monterey and needed to pick up the pup and that would put me at a bad traffic time.  But, I called my wonderful friend, Brian.  He was really great and dogsat for me while I did the CT scan and was able to head off to Monterey from Soquel and miss traffic hell.

I really love those scans.  The most strange feeling—the surge of heat while feeling like you are eliminating pee. Very trippy.  And, Ethan, the tech, was very cool and we had a lovely chat as he was doing his thing.  I told him about the blog and that I would give him a shout-out.  Hey, Ethan, thanks!  (note to Ethan: I said nice things about you on the survey…)

Hazel—Nancy's mom—cooked me my last supper before chemo.  Hazel is in her early 90's but doesn't look a day over 75.  She walks over a mile everyday.  She knits me slippers.  I love Hazel.  I want to be her when I grow up (except for the slipper knitting).  The last supper was wonderful.  (But, Mom, I wouldn't trade you for anyone so don't get jealous!)

Friday­

The chemo lounge!  Hey, that is another blog in itself. But, I am fine.  No problems at all yet.  More on that later.