Friday update

Yesterday we went to the cancer center for John's first chemo session. This took about 4 hours and he slept through most of it. I, on the other hand had a total melt down crying and did not sit with him so that he wouldn't see how I was reacting.

We had not seen the PET scan report yet, so I used some of my meltdown time tracking it down. ( figured people were used to seeing others sobbing in a cancer center, so I just continued to attempt to take care of business), The oncologist has left town for 3 weeks and did not give us the report before he left. His PA was not available to show us the report until John had just finished his treatment. I was hoping to see it on my own, without him but it didn't work out that way. The scan shows suspicious activity in his colon and his rectal area, as well. Had we known this Monday, when the report came in, we could have made an appointment for John to have a colonoscopy before yesterday. Now that he has had a treatment, we have to wait a week to check his white cell count to see whether he can withstand the procedure.

I asked whether the same drugs are used to treat the colon and rectal and esophagus. They are not the same so, if there is activity, it is not being addressed, at this time. Dr. Shalaby's office has set up an appointment to check John's blood count next Thursday, immediately before we attend a cancer class. His office called to tell me that they had set up an appointment with Dr. Bill Williams for a colonoscopy on June 11th which is the day before his next chemo treatment. I have a call in to talk to Bill. He is the fellow that diagnosed the cancer in the beginning and waited to tell us until after the retirement party. I hope he will call me today.

After treatment yesterday, John and I went out to eat and he had some mild Thai soup. It set well with him and he felt normal yesterday and last night. Today, he is wiped out and is sleeping in his chair. He was not able to hold down his breakfast. It is before noon and that is the update so far.

If you are on this list and do not want to be, please let me know and I will gladly remove you. I don't think there will be a lot of cheery news as time goes on and I totally understand if you don't want to keep up.