Evaluation Phase

My first appointment was Tuesday, December 30 at the SCCA.

Then – it feels like suddenly, though I have waited so long – I am immersed in a new world: of Stem Cell/Bone Marrow transplants and the SCCA – where “cancer” is an everyday word; blood tests are the norm; bald heads on women are not unusual: the Gift Shop sells hats; filling out a Respiratory Symptom Screening is the first order of ever day and people with any symptoms are politely asked to wait outside; and I am surrounded by cheerful professionals whose primary goal is…ME!

So far I have been taken to the SCCA five times – four times by Rick; Robin drove once & Sandy Hamilton gets a turn the next two days – for the Evaluation phase: a series of medical tests to determine whether my body is up to the challenge of the chemo-therapy. This was how Rick got to spend 3 days of his Christmas vacation. But it was invaluable because he could lift me onto various tables and chairs for exams, x-rays, & measurements AND he also was becoming familiar with our new environment.

We met members of "my team" – nurses, docs, nutritionists, etc. – and verified that my heart, lungs, mouth, & female organs are in good shape. All that’s left, I think are, more blood work & meetings (today); an Echocardiogram (tomorrow); and an MRI (Friday). Or more could be added.

But I’m still, I think, looking at a meeting early next week to go over my results and schedule the next phase – stimulating growth and then harvesting stem cells from my blood.