Yesterday was a new experience in Tom's cancer treatment. We had learned last week that a recent scan had indicated suspicious spots on his spine. He was referred to a radiation oncologist, and had an appointment yesterday at the same place he has been doctoring at for the last three years. Tom has been having pain in his back, so hopefully it will be alleviated by treatment.
First of all, to cut the suspense, we didn't get any dire news yesterday. It was all pretty matter-of-fact, much like any doctor appointment. We were called, Tom was weighed, blood pressure, temp- that whole bit. Tom has lost some weight, but we attribute that to being so sick with a virus for the last two weeks. There were a couple of days that he didn't eat anything, and some days, he would only eat a couple of things. He just looks so much more frail. We are working on getting him built back up.
We went into the exam room, which looked like any other doctor's. After a little wait, a Dr. Spencer came in. He was SO young!! (probably a common reaction with people my age and older). He was very charming and did some little tests on Tom- seeing how much strength he had in his legs, and poking around on his back and asking LOTS of questions. He was very friendly, and made sure that he made good eye contact with both of us, with smiles to go with it. He was in training, so he was practicing on us, I expect.
Then THE doctor came in with the aforementioned Dr. Spencer, and HE was young, too. Dr. Jeffrey Olsen. He asked a bunch of questions, poked around on Tom, then got to the entertainment portion of the exam where Dr. Spencer fired up the computer, but didn't have the right password, so Dr. Olsen had to help him get into it. BEEEP (type type type type) BEEEEP (type type type type) We saw pictures of Tom's latest CT scan, and they indicated spots on a vertebrae and a rib.
They said that they could shrink the spots with radiation, and explained that process. They said that they thought it was getting too late in the day (2 pm by that time) to get the ball rolling on that. Tom would have to have another scan to pinpoint the spots, then they would do some stuff to make sure they would get the right locations. Something about 'wires'. The side-effects of radiation kind of sounded like tanning bed problems- reddening of the skin. Also it could cause some nausea and disturb his 'innards'.
They went off somewhere again, and guess what? The scanner WAS available. So I went back to the waiting room and Tom went to go get scanned.
The clinic is very posh, and subdued. All the colors are dark greens, blues, with beautiful art on the walls. There are lots of comfy chairs and couches. Very restful. On one wall, which I was facing as I was waiting, there was a big flat-screen TV that featured videos of waterfalls and streams and other soothing things, with the occasional infomercial about the new Siteman Clinic opening up in South County.
Tom came out after not too long, and we were able to leave. They did an art project on Tom's back. Lots of drawing marker lines and tape. It looks like something the grandchildren would come up with. Very colorful! Those were to guide where the radiation goes on Monday. I would be having an itchy fit if I had tape on my back, but Tom is okay with it.
The treatments will begin Monday. He is to go Monday-Friday for two weeks. That's a lot of trips to St. Louis, but at least it is just for two weeks. I probably will go with him when I am not working or babysitting. He doesn't really have to have anyone with him, since the treatments won't incapacitate him, but it would break up the back and forth of the whole thing. Bill Cooper called us up last night and volunteered to accompany him some. The treatment just lasts for an hour each time, if I am remembering correctly, so it shouldn't be too time-consuming.
Also on Monday, he will see his regular oncologist, Dr. Suresh, who is at the same clinic. He will see her first. We talked to her assistant yesterday, Kathy. Kathy said that Dr. Suresh has a new plan, something about something that will build up Tom's bones. That's all we know about that. I am encouraged that she still wants to try something, after the discouraging news we heard last week; that the chemo regime he had been undergoing the last three years wasn't doing any good any more. We'll do the radiation and then go from there!
We appreciate SO much your love, concern and prayers- especially the prayers. They are very powerful and encouraging and comforting!
Love, Tom and LuAnn
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