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.