Thanks to this miracle of modern technology called the internet, I am now able to blog you, on location, from the Big Chemo Chair here on the 7th floor of 160 East 53rd Street! I just finished my regiment of standard chemicals and am hooked to the study drug – or, as I like to called it, the $10,000 bag of sugar-water (which it might be as this is a “double blind” study)!
In prep today, I met with a new doctor since Drs S and R were not here. I asked to see my pre-chemo CT scan so that I could better understand the report. My report continues to say “multiple lesions”. Being a numbers guy, I want the exact count! I want each one measured, mapped and given a party name! In lieu of this, they gave me a guided tour of the scan. I understand now why they didn’t do an exact count (although technically you could, if you wanted to put in the time). The bottom line is that it didn’t look that bad to me – there were a few noticeably bigger, darker lesions but the rest were really small fry. If the juice works, just seeing the bigger ones get smaller will make me feel like we’re on the right track. Frankly, it didn’t look that bad…I’m sure plenty of other people have it worse.
Once I got to the big chair, the chemo nurse said that we will be allowed to unhook this time without coming back in. She reviewed the procedure and the clever little needle device with Robbie so she’ll feel comfortable doing it. It may be more convenient for me to just have them do it since I’m working on Thursday but at least we now have the option. A curious thing about this nurse (same one as last time) – she’s very petite but when she’s hovering over you with all her needles and tubes, she feels like a giant. Only when I stand up do I realize that she’s under 5 feet tall!
Well, after this bag of placebo is drained, I’ll get hooked up to my baby bottle. Then, I have an hour wait before a quick ECG. Then I’m done with the big chair portion of round two!
Oh, this time, I asked for something to help me sleep tonight because the steroids they give on juicing day keep me awake. So, I have a new drug to add to Sara’s list – it’s called Zolpidem Tartrate. And Sara – I got another complimentary turkey sandwich today (with bacon)! Nothing lifts my spirits quite like bacon!
Hope you are all well!! BB
In prep today, I met with a new doctor since Drs S and R were not here. I asked to see my pre-chemo CT scan so that I could better understand the report. My report continues to say “multiple lesions”. Being a numbers guy, I want the exact count! I want each one measured, mapped and given a party name! In lieu of this, they gave me a guided tour of the scan. I understand now why they didn’t do an exact count (although technically you could, if you wanted to put in the time). The bottom line is that it didn’t look that bad to me – there were a few noticeably bigger, darker lesions but the rest were really small fry. If the juice works, just seeing the bigger ones get smaller will make me feel like we’re on the right track. Frankly, it didn’t look that bad…I’m sure plenty of other people have it worse.
Once I got to the big chair, the chemo nurse said that we will be allowed to unhook this time without coming back in. She reviewed the procedure and the clever little needle device with Robbie so she’ll feel comfortable doing it. It may be more convenient for me to just have them do it since I’m working on Thursday but at least we now have the option. A curious thing about this nurse (same one as last time) – she’s very petite but when she’s hovering over you with all her needles and tubes, she feels like a giant. Only when I stand up do I realize that she’s under 5 feet tall!
Well, after this bag of placebo is drained, I’ll get hooked up to my baby bottle. Then, I have an hour wait before a quick ECG. Then I’m done with the big chair portion of round two!
Oh, this time, I asked for something to help me sleep tonight because the steroids they give on juicing day keep me awake. So, I have a new drug to add to Sara’s list – it’s called Zolpidem Tartrate. And Sara – I got another complimentary turkey sandwich today (with bacon)! Nothing lifts my spirits quite like bacon!
Hope you are all well!! BB
5 comments:
Say Brian
Can you get your cute nurse to take a photo of you in the big chair? The you'll be out chairman of the board or is it bored?
Whoops! I need Sara to edit before I publish. the word "out" should have been our. Sorry.
You do know there is a Bacon of the Month Club? I saw the ad in my Food & Wine magazine. Maybe Santa will deliver!
Ah, the miracles of bacon! I'm glad to hear Round 2 went OK. I will be sure to add this new drug to the handy-dandy guide!
You know, bacon is so popular, it's a flavor for mouse treats. And Scalzi taped it to his cat, just because.
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