We arrived early at Northeast Georgia Cancer Center this past Wednesday morning. We were seen almost immediately by Meredith, the Physician's Assistant. Ed's visit was very quick and routine. The hi-lites are as follows:
* Ed gained two pounds since last visit. He is at 191 now.
* His blood pressure had dropped to 120-something over 70-something. (don't have notes with me at this time).
* His blood work was great, but his blood was a bit thick, so his coumidin dosage was adjusted again. One day he takes one 2.5 milligram caplet, and the next day take one and half 2.5 mg caplet, and the next day back to one caplet, back and forth.
* Meredith said Ed is doing good.
On over in the treatment center, Ed settled into a recliner and soon a nurse had his I.V. started and his toxic cocktail began dripping into his vein. This week, Ed chose to have his I.V. in his right arm. He usually gets it in his left arm. He never complains, but I wondered if maybe the left arm is beginning to get tired of getting all the needle action.
This visit we got to know an older couple who were there for chemo for the husband's lung cancer. After talking for a few minutes, we learned that they lived just a few miles from where Ed and Mama live in Winder, and that they also lived in Lilburn, near where we lived, way back in the 70's and 80's. They were both retired school teachers and very nice. The wife was so attentive to her husband, holding his hand while his I.V. was being inserted, and making sure he got snacks and drinks. There was also an older gentleman seated on the other side of Ed, but we didn't get much out of him, except when I said I was going to the snack machine, he gave me change and asked me to get him some peanut butter cookies.
When Ed's chemo treatment was finished, we said our good bye's and headed home. It is interesting the different types of people you meet in the chemo treatment rooms, and what types of cancers they have. So far we have not met another GBM (Glioblastoma Multiforme) patient. We may not, as I believe Dr. Splichal said he treated 8 patients with the disease last year. Compared to other types of cancers, I don't think it very common. But no matter what type of cancer, I guess everyone in the chemo treatment rooms feels a 'kinship' in a way, that everyone is there for the same reason, fighting to live.
In two weeks we will be back for Chemo #12 and should learn when Ed will get his new MRI. Both Meredith and Dr. Splichal have said it should come about in November.
* Ed gained two pounds since last visit. He is at 191 now.
* His blood pressure had dropped to 120-something over 70-something. (don't have notes with me at this time).
* His blood work was great, but his blood was a bit thick, so his coumidin dosage was adjusted again. One day he takes one 2.5 milligram caplet, and the next day take one and half 2.5 mg caplet, and the next day back to one caplet, back and forth.
* Meredith said Ed is doing good.
On over in the treatment center, Ed settled into a recliner and soon a nurse had his I.V. started and his toxic cocktail began dripping into his vein. This week, Ed chose to have his I.V. in his right arm. He usually gets it in his left arm. He never complains, but I wondered if maybe the left arm is beginning to get tired of getting all the needle action.
This visit we got to know an older couple who were there for chemo for the husband's lung cancer. After talking for a few minutes, we learned that they lived just a few miles from where Ed and Mama live in Winder, and that they also lived in Lilburn, near where we lived, way back in the 70's and 80's. They were both retired school teachers and very nice. The wife was so attentive to her husband, holding his hand while his I.V. was being inserted, and making sure he got snacks and drinks. There was also an older gentleman seated on the other side of Ed, but we didn't get much out of him, except when I said I was going to the snack machine, he gave me change and asked me to get him some peanut butter cookies.
When Ed's chemo treatment was finished, we said our good bye's and headed home. It is interesting the different types of people you meet in the chemo treatment rooms, and what types of cancers they have. So far we have not met another GBM (Glioblastoma Multiforme) patient. We may not, as I believe Dr. Splichal said he treated 8 patients with the disease last year. Compared to other types of cancers, I don't think it very common. But no matter what type of cancer, I guess everyone in the chemo treatment rooms feels a 'kinship' in a way, that everyone is there for the same reason, fighting to live.
In two weeks we will be back for Chemo #12 and should learn when Ed will get his new MRI. Both Meredith and Dr. Splichal have said it should come about in November.
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