I'M HEADING HOME!
I leave Boston at 6:50 PM on this Sunday and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 10:00 PM.
After what felt like endless negotiations and scheduling, my oncology fellow, Dr Elizabeth Trice, was able to arrange for me to begin a new course of chemotherapy at Holy Cross Hospital at the end of my street. Such is the weird nature of my world that I am all but gleeful at this turn of events. While I may have wished that my last MRI was clear; it was not. There was evidence of some myeloma cells on my pelvis and therefore I need to be treated again.
The new treatment is called Velcade and the protocol consists of two IV infusions at the hospital two days per week and then skipping a week. The good news is that I can do this while living at home and it is not processed through my kidneys, thus sparing them any more deterioration. The bad news is....well, we'll just have to see what side-effects accompany this life-preserving treatment.
I have had great difficulty sleeping the past three nights and for the first time during this journey I have been truly frightened. But I am not certain exactly of what. Perhaps it's just the unknown of this treatment. I sometimes think it's part of magical thinking surrounding my return; ie: once I'm home everything will be alright. Or it may simply be an underlying feeling of "enough, already!" Whatever it is, I am both sober and very, very grateful to be returning to my home, my dog, and my community...and walking (with crutches, for now)
I leave Boston at 6:50 PM on this Sunday and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 10:00 PM.
After what felt like endless negotiations and scheduling, my oncology fellow, Dr Elizabeth Trice, was able to arrange for me to begin a new course of chemotherapy at Holy Cross Hospital at the end of my street. Such is the weird nature of my world that I am all but gleeful at this turn of events. While I may have wished that my last MRI was clear; it was not. There was evidence of some myeloma cells on my pelvis and therefore I need to be treated again.
The new treatment is called Velcade and the protocol consists of two IV infusions at the hospital two days per week and then skipping a week. The good news is that I can do this while living at home and it is not processed through my kidneys, thus sparing them any more deterioration. The bad news is....well, we'll just have to see what side-effects accompany this life-preserving treatment.
I have had great difficulty sleeping the past three nights and for the first time during this journey I have been truly frightened. But I am not certain exactly of what. Perhaps it's just the unknown of this treatment. I sometimes think it's part of magical thinking surrounding my return; ie: once I'm home everything will be alright. Or it may simply be an underlying feeling of "enough, already!" Whatever it is, I am both sober and very, very grateful to be returning to my home, my dog, and my community...and walking (with crutches, for now)
1 comment:
Welcome home! I'm so glad that you are able to be with Lucky. Let me know if you would like a housecall. Also, what side effects -- possibly there is something we have to help that would not interfer with the chemo. Lots of White Healing Light, Leslie
Post a Comment