You know what really disturbs me?
When I go into my primary-care clinic and everyone give me that 'awwwww. . . ' look.
You know, the kind of look that you would give a puppy with a bucket on it's head. The cone of shame according to Dug.
I like my medical staff rushed, surly, and contentious. I find all this sympathy unnerving.
And you kind of know you're screwed when you hear the lab tech pull the head tech aside as say, "Are you sure all of these are for him?"
Pfffttt. 8 vials. Although, I did feel like I needed a cookie when I was done.
And a Superman bandaid.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Yay! Maybe my artificial hip won't be a problem
Wow!
Well, after a lengthy discussion with a nurse, it looks like my artificial hip won't be a problem for proton beam therapy! (Pew Pew!)
Which, as we professionals say, is a good thing.
It's a weird feeling. Suddenly, it seems very real.
Now come the logistics. Which should be fun. If by 'fun' you mean pulling your lower lip far enough down that you could step on it and trip.
Most of my questions won't be able to be answered until my two days of consultation. We will go from there.
Here is something cool though, to shoot the proton beam in exactly the right spot, they take a cylinder of metal - think of a large coin about 6 inches thick - and cut a whole in it that is the EXACT SHAPE of the tumor, which forms the coutures of the beam. How weird is that?
And I also get a full body mold made to hold me precisely in the right position for therapy.
Heh. I hope they got a whole mess of casting material.
More news as it comes available.
I'm also working diligently on marketing the book. It's a busy, busy time. But for all that's going on, a good one.
Well, after a lengthy discussion with a nurse, it looks like my artificial hip won't be a problem for proton beam therapy! (Pew Pew!)
Which, as we professionals say, is a good thing.
It's a weird feeling. Suddenly, it seems very real.
Now come the logistics. Which should be fun. If by 'fun' you mean pulling your lower lip far enough down that you could step on it and trip.
Most of my questions won't be able to be answered until my two days of consultation. We will go from there.
Here is something cool though, to shoot the proton beam in exactly the right spot, they take a cylinder of metal - think of a large coin about 6 inches thick - and cut a whole in it that is the EXACT SHAPE of the tumor, which forms the coutures of the beam. How weird is that?
And I also get a full body mold made to hold me precisely in the right position for therapy.
Heh. I hope they got a whole mess of casting material.
More news as it comes available.
I'm also working diligently on marketing the book. It's a busy, busy time. But for all that's going on, a good one.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Setting The Course For Treatment
Wow. What a week this has been.
The book is starting to take off (Yeah!). People are also starting to ask me for autographs and to sign the book. That is just about the weirdest thing in the world. It make me feel . . . like a big 'ol steaming pile of fake.
But, during all the chaos, I've decided on a course of treatment that I'm going to pursue.
I'm going for the Proton Beam therapy at Loma Linda University.
It's not a sure thing. We've got the insurance coverage worked out - mostly - but there may be a problem with my artificial hip. Seems that if the cancer is in the wrong place they can't shoot the beam correctly and it will bounce off the prosthetic hip. From my understanding of particle physics this would be . . . bad. I won't know until they do a full CT scan.
Yet everyone tells me that I have, "The good kind of cancer."
Really? I thought the 'good kind of cancer' was no frickin' cancer at all, but what do I know. I'm just the patient.
So, towards the end of the month I'll be going down for a couple of days. They'll do the CT on the first day, and the second day more 'pics' and then they will map out (literally) a treatment plan. We won't know if the hip is going to be a problem until probably 2 to 3 weeks after the consultation.
And even then, there are the logistics of a 8 to 9 week stay to figure out. Do we rent an apartment? Extended stay hotel? Buy a cheap RV? With the price of gas you can pick them up for pennies on the dollar. Although, all I can see is me in a big floppy hat, cigar in my mouth, in my bathrobe, emptying my solid waste into a sewer drain while Chevy Chase looks on at me with disdain.
Much of this depends on when - and if - the treatment can start. I've heard that there is up to a 4 month waiting list to get into the program. Which, for Suzanne and me, would be a good thing.
That way we still get our riding season.
Plus, there is that pesky NW lawn that needs cutting twice a week this time of year, the weed eating, etc.
All minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things. I am so lucky to have choices.
Now if this damn NW weather would turn around and warm up all would be right with the world.
Mostly.
Now I'm off to do another video promo for the book. I don't want to spoil the surprise but there may be sock puppets involved. Stay tuned. :)
The book is starting to take off (Yeah!). People are also starting to ask me for autographs and to sign the book. That is just about the weirdest thing in the world. It make me feel . . . like a big 'ol steaming pile of fake.
But, during all the chaos, I've decided on a course of treatment that I'm going to pursue.
I'm going for the Proton Beam therapy at Loma Linda University.
It's not a sure thing. We've got the insurance coverage worked out - mostly - but there may be a problem with my artificial hip. Seems that if the cancer is in the wrong place they can't shoot the beam correctly and it will bounce off the prosthetic hip. From my understanding of particle physics this would be . . . bad. I won't know until they do a full CT scan.
Yet everyone tells me that I have, "The good kind of cancer."
Really? I thought the 'good kind of cancer' was no frickin' cancer at all, but what do I know. I'm just the patient.
So, towards the end of the month I'll be going down for a couple of days. They'll do the CT on the first day, and the second day more 'pics' and then they will map out (literally) a treatment plan. We won't know if the hip is going to be a problem until probably 2 to 3 weeks after the consultation.
And even then, there are the logistics of a 8 to 9 week stay to figure out. Do we rent an apartment? Extended stay hotel? Buy a cheap RV? With the price of gas you can pick them up for pennies on the dollar. Although, all I can see is me in a big floppy hat, cigar in my mouth, in my bathrobe, emptying my solid waste into a sewer drain while Chevy Chase looks on at me with disdain.
Much of this depends on when - and if - the treatment can start. I've heard that there is up to a 4 month waiting list to get into the program. Which, for Suzanne and me, would be a good thing.
That way we still get our riding season.
Plus, there is that pesky NW lawn that needs cutting twice a week this time of year, the weed eating, etc.
All minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things. I am so lucky to have choices.
Now if this damn NW weather would turn around and warm up all would be right with the world.
Mostly.
Now I'm off to do another video promo for the book. I don't want to spoil the surprise but there may be sock puppets involved. Stay tuned. :)
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