March 11, 2024 - So Far, So Good

     The news this evening is “so far, so good.”  Tomorrow afternoon we have the most important appointment, the one with Dr. Leung, the hematologist who oversees my care.
     I feel like I am back writing as a sports editor like I did when I was in high school.  In a sports story the final score is usually written in the opening paragraph and then the details in the body of the article.
     I have given you the final score of today, now some details.
     Honestly, it was one of my harder days in terms of treatments.
     The day started with a PET Scan.  The scan itself isn’t difficult.  Getting ready for it was.
     My practical theory of male nurses vs female nurses bore out today.  Twice.  Getting the IV inserted was the most difficult that I have had during these last 15 months.  Three sticks before he found a vein.  Each one, including the one that finally worked, was more than the Biblical “seek and you will find.”  It was more like the Biblical “searching for the lost sheep.”
     I had to fast since last evening for both tests today.  I figure that may have had something to do with it.  I came as close to passing out as I have in a long, long time by the time the IV was in place. 
     After the PET scan I headed to the waiting room for blood work.  It was a long walk from one end of Clinic buildings to the other using the subway.
     Teresa knew by the paleness of my face that things hadn’t gone as hoped.
There must be close to 100 chairs in the waiting room and most of them were taken.  I was finally called to door #2.  It had the “Let’s Make a Deal” feeling, though there were no prizes behind any of the three doors.
     The female tech/nurse took more time than I anticipated.  She finally found the vein she wanted and her first stick was successful.   I do realize that the needle to draw blood is a smaller needle. 
     We headed to the Bone Marrow Biopsy.  I do appreciate how the staff at Mayo tries to schedule appointments as close as possible, rather than over 3-4 days.
     As I was waiting to be called back, I asked to go to the bathroom.  When I walked into the hallway there was a ruckus going on.  There must have been 15-20 people in the hallway, all dressed in scrubs.
     When I got closer I realized there was a cart of candy and the staff was permitted to take what they wanted. 
     I learned later that this was done during Covid to lift the morale of the staff.  It was taken away after Covid and there was so much complaining that it was brought back.  The candy is free of charge.
     As one who has spent his life in the candy business, it did my heart good!
     I was taken back for the biopsy with the IV still in my arm from this morning.  No more sticks other than the biopsy while under sedation.
     Well, not quite.  The IV was no longer working and another one was needed.  I like threes.  Seeing Reed Sheppard hit seven of eight of threes in the second half on Saturday was a good thing.  Three has many Biblical references and most of them are good.
     Being stuck three times to insert a second IV was not so good.  On this day it was male nurses six sticks.  Female nurse one stick.  I intend to thank the nurses at Baptist Health when I go back next week for the next cycle of chemotherapy.
     The final appointment was to meet with Dr. Brito, the endocrinologist.  I really like this doctor.  I mentioned that in a blog last fall when I first met him.
     Because he was the first doctor with whom we had met after the PET Scan and the blood work, he was the one to give us the good news, at least on two of the cancers.
     The PET Scan showed no signs of a new cancer. 
     The blood work indicated that the left side of my thyroid is working so well that it is producing enough that I will not need any medication at least for now.
     Dr. Brito confirmed that it was likely a good thing that the thyroid cancer was removed when it was because of the location of the cancer to the nerve that runs to my vocal chords.  Waiting six months as originally intended might have brought a different result. He even mentioned that he thought my voice was stronger than it was before the surgery. 
     Dr. Brito said, “The results thus far could not be better.”
     I will not be scheduled to see him until next spring.
     Overconfidence has never been a feeling that I have had when it comes to dealing with cancer for the past 23 years.   I surely don’t feel that way this evening and I won’t feel overconfident after seeing Dr. Leung tomorrow, regardless of the results of meeting with him. 
     He can look at the blood work and make an educated guess; the definitive results of the biopsy will take 3-5 days.
     What I do feel is optimistic.  So far, so good.   Other than some pain, what more could I have asked for in this day?
     Well, maybe one more thing.  Supper at Teresa’s favorite restaurant!  And we even got in during the early bird special.
     Thanks for your prayers.