Marathon Wednesday

After returning from a quick trip to talk with his Dad (that was a good visit) on Monday and Tuesday, Dave jumped completely into the cancer battle.   We started with an appointment with the palliative care team, then a CT scan followed by an EKG, then a bunch of blood tests and a urine test.  By the time he made it home he was exhausted.   

We had been a little surprised when we were scheduled for a meeting with palliative care because to us that is when hospice comes in.  Definitely not ready for that.   Instead of waiting until the end, they are now connecting with patients when a serious cancer diagnosis has been made.   With phone numbers and email along with personal interaction, the social worker and RN want to help guide us along the way.  Once again, we are fortunate to be part of a caring medical community.  (They will find it hard to match the ALS group) 

Laurie, the clinical research nurse, was waiting for Dave to give him the paper work for all the labs and whisk him off to start the CT scan.   Fortunately the stuff he had to drink didn't bother him. Laurie put a rush on an the labs, hoping to get everything in on Friday morning.   Three cheers for electronic transmission of information.   If everything came in Laurie hoped to have him randomised (Her word not mine) on Friday for a Tuesday start.  All treatments start on Tuesday or Thursday.  It did not work out. Friday Dave was called to to do some additional blood draws the lab had missed, and Laurie was out sick.  Dr, Crocenzi's nurse did the additional blood draws, and told Dave he probably qualified or they would not be asking for these tests.  We are hoping she knew more than she could say.  Now we wait for Monday.