Rants and Rambles

This didn’t seem to be getting off to a good start. I’m not sure I’m qualified to say what constitutes a “good start” in something like this but a delay of a month before taking the next diagnostic step didn’t seem too good of a plan. But there I was. I had my band-aide and my next appointment.

With the slow start, the days that followed were such a radical difference that they were almost overwhelming.  With paperwork filled out containing medical history and medications list, the first appointment came on a Monday. Another blood test (this one for prostrate cancer). By Wednesday those results were in (negative) and an appointment was set for Friday for a CT scan (I had to go by and pick up a “contrast media” Thursday). This stuff (they said it was “berry” flavored) was bad but not nearly as unpalatable as what I had to swallow for my colonoscopy. They weren’t kidding that it was better cold! OK, CT done and another visit to my primary provider (Monday).  That gets me an appointment with a surgeon/vascular specialist (Tuesday) and a biopsy (Wednesday). Back to the vascular specialist (Thursday), who based on preliminaries and the CT scan, calls the oncology consultants to get me admitted the following Monday. Hey, apart from weekends (and there was a phone call or two even then) that’s only three days without some kind of test or appointment between starting with a new primary physician and putting on my hospital gown.

The following week went just as fast.

Monday

• admitted
• IV line in place
• thorax/neck CT scan for any additional lymphomas
• Port-a-cath placed
• heart ultrasound

 Tuesday

• stent placed in right kidney
• low test dose of chemo

Wednesday

• ultrasound right leg
• full chemo

Thursday

• discharged

Friday, beginning outpatient activities with a visit to the Anticoagulation Clinic to test my blood clot rate and adjust that medication.