Late day

Yesterday's appointment with Dr. K was scheduled for 1 p.m., so I went in Monday morning to have my bloodwork done. It turns out that because I am in the clinical study, I cannot participate in the "Chemo Ready" program (you have your bloodwork done the day prior, then call the pharmacy two hours prior to arrival the next day and your meds are ready). However, if I have the bloodwork done the day prior and call the nurse, she will call in to the pharmacy ahead of time and the wait should be shorter. Yesterday I only waited an hour and part of that was due to no room in the chemo suite.

While I was seeing the nurse, I mentioned that my chest hurt where I had experienced pain following my thoracotomy, only now it was worse. As you may recall, the radiologist had reported that my last chest x-ray showed a rib fracture on the right side, but when I contacted the thoracic surgeon's office, I was told it was scar tissue. Well, I had another chest x-ray yesterday, and the radiologist once again said I have a rib fracture that is healing. Apparently last Thursday night, I coughed in such a way that I aggravated the area, which is why I am experiencing pain again. There is nothing to be done for a rib fracture, so I am hopeful that the pain will recede quickly, although it's been almost a week now without any relief.

The treatment went fine, but it was strange to be there without Ed. Since the treatment was starting so late, I knew it would be faster to take a bus out of the city rather than driving out, so I convinced him to stay home. I had no problems navigating the subway and Port Authority to get to the 5:20 bus, and I enjoyed a good nap on the way home. By the time I arrived at 6:45, I was ready for bed, so I took my Zetia and hit the sack -- no dinner, no conversation, no nothing. I am still sleepy this morning, but am feeling pretty good. Speaking of Zetia, it really does work. My cholesterol continues to drop. It is now down to 249 from a high two weeks ago of 319.

Friday afternoon I see the NJ oncologist and have my Zometa infusion. I want to discuss with him his alledged agreement with Dr. K that Ifosamide would be the next treatment option for me. I can't imagine what they were thinking, and I'll be interested to hear what he has to say.

I told Dr. K yesterday that I believed this clinical trial was working, and she actually laughed at me. I told her I wasn't kidding, that I really believe it is working and she looked at me as if I were nuts. Then she told me that another patient she has on the trial told her the same thing. I wonder if she laughed at her, too. Not a big surprise that I would like to change oncologists, huh?

On a non-medical note, the temperatures are finally supposed to climb out of the 30s and reach the low 40s starting tomorrow. I don't know how long that heatwave is going to last, but it will be nice to have a reprieve of sorts. I hope the weather is improving wherever you are!