This report comes to you from the “belly of the beast”.... Yup, deep inside USC Norris Cancer Hospital chemo infusion unit known as “The Day Hospital”. A dark and gloomy place by its very nature. That is, the place, and the patients...... The staff, quite the opposite.... They are, with out exception, cheerful, kind, and compassionate, and do a great job. I am not sure why the doom and gloom does not seem to rub off on them, trying to not let it rub off on me.... Maybe just another interesting thing to think about.....
The cat scan, done Friday, fell prey to the “Southern Ca. Friday Afternoon Syndrome”.... you know..... away from her desk, unavailable at this time, leave a message, if this is urgent, call 911, etc.... Nothing really gets done after noon on Fri. The freeways are even clear on Fri. afternoon. My oncologist, may be the exception. She met with me, looked at the most recent scan, compared it to the last scan, and said that it looked good.... However, we must wait for the radiologist report, and she would call me if the report was less than wonderful. No call so far.
So anyway, as I type, poison... YES POISON, (poison >noun 1 a substance that causes death or injury when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism.) is being pumped deep into my body. Ok, I haven’t experienced death, (yet) but certainly have experienced injury. Oddly enough, this part is not too bad, and tomorrow wont be too bad, it’s later this week when the s... s... stuff hits the fan. Short chemo next Tues, next update sometime after.
I am not sure of all of the things that are pumped into me, but they include anti-nausea meds, and potassium and saline solution for hydration. The Gemzar and Cisplatin are apparently so toxic that the nurse must don a hazmat suit before handling the bags, and there is a special drip proof fitting to hook the stuff into my picc line. It is hard to imagine what horrible effects this substance would cause if unleashed...... I am hoping that the cancer is reeling as a result of this chemical warfare.
Today’s ordeal will take about 12 hours. Blood draw, wait for lab results, wait for doc to ok todays chemo, wait for pharmacy to make up the prescription, jump into the bed and get hooked up. Add an hour travel time each way, and it turns into an all day event. I suppose that writing this blog is useful practice..... doing something useful while hooked up to machines..... Dialysis = 2 years, 104 weeks, 3 times a week, 312 days, 7 hours a day, 2184 hours to do something useful.
I could just watch TV..... Or write a book... with that much time, a book series... Become an authority on almost any subject... OK, OK, “more” of an authority..... LOL
“Cancer for Capitalists”, “Dialysis Days”, “The Darkness of Dialysis”, “Dialysis for Fun and Profit”, “Dialyzing for Dollars, My Triumph over Adversity”, “an exciting, introspective personal memoir by fantastic new author”..... The ultimate “Lemons to Lemonade” story..... Special guest on the Rush Limbaugh show..... Interview on Fox News..... Nation wide book tour.... HEADLINE CALIFORNIA: “Cancer Patient Refuses Transplant Kidney to Extend Writing Career!!” I will probably need to buy some new T-shirts.... I can hardly wait.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
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7 comments:
Thanks for the update. Mom has been anxious to hear and though you still don't have any definitive word from the MRI, it sounds like the chemo is working.
I remember being amazed at how toxic things must have been when Tim was having chemo....similar precautions taken by the attending nurses. Special instructions in the restrooms, etc.
I'll be first to buy your book(s)....I think you are a great writer. You make everything interesting - even "Southern CA Friday Afternoon Syndrome".
Take care and let us know when you get more information.
Sounds like you're making progress and staying positive; keep it up! Consider adding NPR to your publicity tour, if only for diversity in audience ;)
I am not sure if NPR would want a "self" help story..... but I will keep an open mind. LOL
You are no doubt familiar with the old Chinese curse"may you lead an interesting life" I think maybe you should write a book. Who knows, you could be one of Stephen Colberts first guests!Keep hangin' in there my friend.
You have an amazing resilience. If attitude counts for anything, you'll have this liked in no time. Maybe you should consider writing a book.
You make me laugh! That's a good thing. I started commenting in my head on the "become an authority..." phrase even before I saw the continuation of the line and the LOL after it.
For some technical info, chemo is quite toxic to cancer cells and all other cells it contacts. Chemo nurses would be exposed to chemo all day long if not handled properly. No need to expose the healthy, I guess. For the sick, they give you enough to knock you down, but not too far down. Then they let you recover enough so they can knock you down again. It's the best we have and you're being treated by the best.
One good thing -- you're more than half way through chemo!!
Keep it up. Sounding good.
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