A Scan, a Shop, and a Funeral
Three momentous outings this week
The Scan
This past Monday, Tricia and I drove up to the Perth Royal Infirmary for my CT scan. I’m sure that PRI is a lovely hospital, but I much prefer going to Ninewells. In Dundee, I can go directly into the Princess Alexandra entrance. I can chit-chat with the woman doing the COVID checks. It’s a short walk-hobble to either the radiotherapy area or the chemo day unit or the consultant’s waiting room. The nurses and receptionists are kind and (sometimes) offer tea.
Let’s just say that no one has ever offered me tea at Perth.
One reason I get sent to Perth for my scans is that the mobile unit is there. I am delighted that our local NHS trusts have invested in more scan machines. I would love them to add many more. I am also amused that this mobile scan unit always seems to be . . . parked at Perth. On this trip, I did get to go into the Scanmobile for my test, with two of the nicest, youngest-looking technicians ever. I have all kinds of side effects from treatment and the disease itself that make me feel as though I am in some kind of accelerated aging program. They didn’t mention that one of those side effects is that suddenly adorable toddlers are doing your medical scans, but that must be the explanation.
After getting scanned from noggin to knees, Tricia and I decided that the perfect answer to our hunger pangs would be burgers and fries at Five Guys in Dundee. The last time I was there, in June, I had to get there via wheelchair. This time I was able to walk-hobble in, carry my own food, and then walk-hobble back to the car with Tricia’s help. It was tiring. But it also felt like a (faltering) step of measurable progress.
A Shop
Speaking of Tricia, today is her birthday! I wanted to get her something from a particular shop in St Andrews. Yesterday was the only chance Dave had to drive in with me, and for the first time in at least five months I attempted some walk-hobbling in the shops and streets of St Andrews. The good news is that I managed. It was great to be out somewhere that was not a medical appointment. But any illusion that I can manage this kind of wee excursion on my own yet was dispelled. Walking more than a block was exhausting, and pain in my left hip and leg has intensified.
A Funeral
On Wednesday, we went to the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of Christoph Schwöbel, a colleague of Dave’s and friend. It was important to me to try to attend if at all possible; thanks to my wheelchair and assistance from friends, I was able to be there for the service. I won’t try to eulogize Christoph here, and another time I might share reflections on attending a funeral when you have incurable cancer. For now, I want to give thanks that we were able to know Christoph and attend the funeral, even while mourning his death and the limitations of our fragile lives.
Treatment Updates
My blood counts finally rebounded enough to resume my targeted therapy treatment. Because both red and white counts had been low, they have dropped the dose again, which was not surprising. I’ll have a few weeks before I’ll get my bloods checked again; hopefully this dose will be effective with the bloods remaining more stable.
My parents did make it safely home!
The big item on the prayer list is my appointment this week with the oncologist, in which we will get the results from the CT scan. This will be the first report on whether the treatment is working. I thought I was having less “scanxiety” . . . but as the date gets closer, I can feel the scanxiety deepening. I pray that the results will be helpful and encouraging, with a lease of hope for another three months.
🙏💕❤️👍!
Cheering so loud for your recent excursions and good blood work. Praying that your scans show progress and healing! Sending tight hugs to you, Friend!!