Bacteria, Viruses, Platelets, and Sodium

When we last left Jerry and Nolie, they were happy at home in Arlington with the Schnauzers, recovering nicely from chemotherapy, and getting mentally psyched for surgery. (spelled right this time). Nolie, however, had been coached by Dr. Siefker to be on the lookout for little red dots on the tips of Jerry's fingers, indicating a need for a platelet transfusion. I think it would have been better if the indicator for a platelet transfusion was little red rings, like the rings that that shape-shifting Salt Monster, from Planet M113, who made itself look like Nancy Crater, who was Dr. McCoy's old girlfriend from Earth, left on people's faces after it sucked all their salt out of their bodies, in the classic Star Trek: TOS episode "The Man Trap." That would have been better, but instead, it's little red dots.

Jerry got the little red dots, so Nolie, as coached, took Jerry to the nearest Emergency Department. In this case, that department is at Arlington Memorial Hospital. They arrived last night (Monday) around 10:30 p. m. because Jerry needed to see the end of 24, (Nolie: Jerry, do you want to go out for ice cream after your show is over? Jerry: Ok, or maybe we can go pick up some platelets.) They are still at Arlington Memorial as I am typing this at 7:58 p. m. Tuesday. I guess it's a good thing neither one of them has a job. At least a job that draws a salary anyway. Jerry got his platelets, and another bag of packed red blood cells. He feels fine and is just waiting now for someone to tell them they can go home.

Nolie was a little nervous about taking Jerry to the hospital, because of all those sick people they have there. Sick people just sitting around leaving bacteria and viruses all over the furniture. She left Dad in the car and went inside to brief the triage person, which was probably a good idea. Jerry wore his Cancer Mask and the triage person brought out a wheel chair and took Jerry straight back behind the secretive doors away from the People With Bacteria and Viruses.

Back at M. D. Anderson, Mom inquired about Dad beginning some kind of physical therapy program to kind of "get strong" before being "down for the count" after the surgery. Annette and Dr. Siefker didn't seem to think it was all that important, but Nolie insisted, and I think that's a good thing. It doesn't seem like it could really be detrimental at all to try to go into a compulsory sedentary situation as fit as you possibly can. Apparently, most cancer patients in their early seventies roll into their oncologist appointments, and most have an oxygen tank with them. Comparatively speaking, I think Dad appears much more fit than what they're used to seeing.

The surgery has been rescheduled now for March 27th. If this changes again, and it may be likely to, I'll be sure to post ASAP.

Surgery March 20th

Well, I finally have something to report. I talk to Nolie almost every day, but there hasn't really been any new news. The only interesting thing Nolie had to talk about was the Mysterious Neighbors at the RIBM. They always had their Do Not Disturb sign displayed, and would never let Housekeeping in to service the room--ever--for a couple of weeks. It turns out they were just paranoid about germs, which is totally understandable, as the husband just got a new kidney. My guess would have been Meth Lab. When Nolie first told me about them, I thought it could be hookers, but hookers don't hang out for weeks at a time. Meth Labs do. I think it is so rude to check into a hotel and build a Meth Lab. It takes so much longer to clean up a Meth Lab room than a Business Person room, and it can really mess up your productivity. No Room Attendant, ever, could clean 18 rooms in eight hours if one of them is a Meth Lab room. Nolie has since made friends with the Kidney Wife, who is in her fifties and has an identical twin who visits. The twins sometime dress the same.

Jerry had his last round of chemo last week, and is now home in Arlington recovering. He will return to M. D. Anderson on March 12th for pre-op work, and then have the cancer and bladder surgically removed on March 20th. From what I understand it is a very lengthy procedure, involving a lengthy recovery time. I believe Nolie said he will be in the hospital for ten to twelve days after the procedure.

The Schnauzers are very happy to see Jerry again.

Thanks, Stadium Pal!

Jerry had his CT scan yesterday to determine if the chemo is doing any good; but, before he could meet with Dr. Siefker to discuss the results, an appointment for another cystoscopy, and exam under anesthesia, with Dr. Dinney, the surgeon, popped up on his schedule, that conflicted with the appointment already scheduled with Dr. Siefker. That's how things happen at M. D. Anderson. You wake up and log into MyMDAnderson.org to find out what your schedule looks like for the day. It's similar to Band Camp, except that at Band Camp, your schedule is on a piece of paper. If you went to Band Camp before 1981, your schedule was printed in purple and called a "ditto." If you went to one of the Band Camps in a wealthier school district, it was black and called a "Xerox." The Xerox was easier to read, but the ditto was funner to smell.

At Band Camp, your schedule might go something like this:

• 8:30 a. m.---Section Rehearsal
• 10:30 a. m.--Rehearsal--Full Band
• 12:30 p. m.--Lunch
• 2:00 p.m.---Rehearsal--Full Band
• 4:30 p.m.---Ice Cream Social (bring $10.00)

At M. D. Anderson, your schedule might go something like this:

• 8:30 a. m.---Cystoscopy and Exam Under Anesthesia
• 10:30 a. m.--Arlene Siefker M. D.
• 11:45 a. m.--Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.---Blood work--Diagnostic Lab
• 2:00 p.m.---Chemotherapy (bring $80,900)

So you see, they are similar.

These tests are the same ones that Nolie mentioned in her post titled "Jerry's Day 12/21/06." But why do these tests again? one might ask. Especially, since we already know that the tumor is adhered to the pelvic bone and Jerry is not a candidate for surgery. The answer, is because, according to the CT scan report, there has been "very significant improvement" and the tumor is "considerably smaller" than in the previous CT scan. Dr. Dinney today, after the cystoscope and exam under anesthesia, said that the tumor is now small enough, and not stuck to the bone enough, that he believes he can surgically remove it along with the bladder, and get a clean cut. Jerry is having his fourth round of chemo tonight, and will receive either one or two more rounds after that. He will then return home to Arlington to recover from the chemo for about six weeks, then, if all is still going well, return to M. D. Anderson for surgery to remove the tumor and the bladder! Yea! Thanks, Stadium Pal!

Nolie described the pictures of the tumor from the two CT scans as looking like animal balloons. The first one blown up, and the second, deflated. I'm not quite ready to call victory on this war on cancer, but I am saying that this battle is proceeding nicely.

Thank you to everyone for all the cards, cookies, letters, flowers, e-mails, comments, prayers, and offers of blood donation. Nolie calls me every night and seems very comforted that so many people are thinking of them. Thank you also for reading this thing. I hope it's informative and kind of funny.