So today was a visit to the hospital for some blood work and a meeting with the oncologist. I was in and out in about an hour. Blood work was quick and easy thanks to the port and was done in the CancerCare area rather then having to go to the central lab in the main part of the hospital.
The visit with the oncologist was fairly straight forward as we reviewed some very minor side effects from the first treatment session. We also discussed some other treatment options and I learned why they were not appropriate for my situation. Basically just getting a confirmation that the current treatment plan is the best for me at this time.
Tomorrow will be the start of Cycle 2 and it will be all day at St. Boniface Hospital. Shirley has already planned a fantastic lunch and an assortment of snacks plus I’l have the new iPad to keep me company. 🙂
On the good news front I asked for the results of my MUGA ( multigated acquisition) scan performed on March 16th. Some chemotherapy medications can cause damage to the heart, so that’s why the test was done in my case. The primary result of the test is a percentage number called an ejection fraction, basically how well the heart is pumping.
- June 2018, before any treatments: 67% which is pretty normal.
- March 4, 2019 after the first round of treatments: 50% – passable but not so good.
- March 16, 2020 before this current round of treatments: 58% !
The good news is I was told the ejection fraction typically doesn’t improve. Once the heart is damaged that’s that. Thank God, He has the final word and my heart is recovering and getting stronger.