Garry Stewart

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Port Insertion

7am at Health Science Center and we get our surprise of the day thanks to Covid-19, no visitors in the hospital.

This means that Shirley is stuck in the lobby and I’m on my own. Not a problem for me but for “older” patients I’d think this would be quite distressing not to have someone with them.

7:15 and I’m in the 7th floor waiting room where nobody can sit next to anybody. I’m well positioned to be first in line when they come and get us at 8:30

From the last time I learned that as you leave the waiting room and enter the prep area you are placed in Bed 1, 2, 3 etc as you enter. Bed 1 gets the surgery 1st and then on down the line. So Bed 1 = less waiting.

I’m feeling good and as I recall the recovery is not too bad. Last time I was sun tanning in the back yard afterwards. I don’t think that will be happening today.

So, I’m put in Bed 2 and at 8:12 they took Bed 1 so I’m thinking I’m up in 30-40 minutes. Dr Harding is my guy for the procedure.

Mystery revealed! With conscious sedation you are fully awake and talking etc. At the end of the procedure they ask you to get off the OR table and back on the ward bed and you do it! They don’t lift you off! Last time I didn’t remember anything and always wondered how I got off the table.

9:25 and I’m back. So far I remember everything! They say that will go. Wheeled in and up on the OR table. The area is shaved. An ultrasound is done to insure things are good. Then prepped with antiseptic. My head is turned to the left so I don’t see what’s happening. I’m placed on oxygen There is an injection for freezing and some “sleepy” drugs are inserted in IV and then he begins. There are a few sharp pokes and pulls, nothing too crazy. A couple of techs are reviewing my last CT scan. A couple of stitches to hold the port from moving. Some clean up work and they are done. He seems to work crazy fast. I guess you get good doing 8 a day.

10:45 we’re back home and it’s time for a coffee. Still feeling good but the OR drugs are still in play.

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Dates – Updated 2020/03/23

Winter Sunrise

Well the medical system is kicking into high gear and I’ve got a bunch of dates for upcoming events.

  • March 16: MUGA Scan at St. Boniface
  • March 18: Blood work at St. Boniface
  • March 20: Port Insertion at HSC
  • March 25: PET Scan at HSC
  • March 30 & 31: Chemotherapy starts March 30, 2020
  • April 6: First Meeting with the Bone Marrow Transplant folks at HSC CancerCare


A CT scan after Cycle 2 of chemotherapy which would put this test some time after April 21.

Shortly after this CT scan is done, the bone marrow transplant will take place

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Encouragement

Over the last few days I’ve received wonderful support and encouragement via phone calls, emails, texts, and in-person. Also a couple of inspirational videos from some special people, much appreciated. Hope you enjoy them too!

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The Oncologist Visit

So, post blood work, it’s on to the oncologist. We’re greeted by friendly but saddened nurses we’ve worked with before. First Kelly for the initial vital stats and general status questions, then Margret who takes us through the treatment plan and answers a lot of our questions and then Dr. Moltzen who further explains the treatment plan and why it is what it is and clarifies and responds to some additional questions.

So, here is the diagnosis and plan:

  • The growth is a reoccurrence of the 2018 lymphoma
  • It is highly treatable and they are planning for a cure
  • There will be chemotherapy, a different regime than 2018
    • The drugs are not supposed to cause heart damage like in 2018. See MUGA scan on Six Month Followup
    • Hair loss is “sometimes”, last time it was “for sure” 🙂
  • Autologous (I’m the donor) bone marrow transplant
Continue reading “The Oncologist Visit”
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Deja vu, almost

Here I am, back at St. B. getting blood work, 3 pages on the requisition which will mean quite a few tubes. After that it’s on to see the oncologist.

Déjà vu almost because it’s a little too familiar and this time I’ve got a few clues about what lies ahead and I know the nurse and doctor I’ll be working with. But, I’m sure there will be some differences and perhaps a surprise or two ahead. It seems that very little is totally the same the second time around.

Next stop, the oncologist.

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Apparently, the journey in not over just yet.

So, yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening in the ER. I had been feeling a bit of chest pain and after booking an appointment with my doctor he called back and requested that I go to the hospital. Things happen quickly in the ER when you say “chest pain”. In short order I was triaged, had a EKG, blood work, followed shortly by an chest x-ray, which lead to a CT of my chest.

I had really thought and/or hoped that this chest pain, which feels like an exercise induced muscle strain, would turn out to be nothing. Such was not the case.

Continue reading “Apparently, the journey in not over just yet.”
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One Year

Here I am, one year since I got the confirmation that I was cancer free. In remission as the medical folks say or healed as I like to say.

I can still remember the first visit with the oncologist where, amongst other things, she said ” this will be a life altering event”. And of course it was, more that I was expecting and of course I didn’t even know what to expect!

Beyond the physical aspects which thankfully came and went the longer lasting impact has been the mental aspects. Very few, if any days pass where I don’t think about the Cancer experience.

As we’re back at the hospital for a follow-up visit and going up one flight of stairs I remember the first time up these stairs where I was out of breath from the exertion due to the tumor press on my lung. After only 2 chemo treatments I noticed a significant improvement on the stairs and today I can climb them with ease. Thank you Jesus!

These days the on and off battle is in the mind. A few days ago I watched a TV show where a guy about my age who had cancer and was in remission found out it had reoccurred and was dealing with telling his family that he wasn’t going to do chemo again. I was in a funk for about a day as a result even as I tried not to let myself think “what if…”.

Working on staying focused on my Healer and living large. So thankful.

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Six Month follow-up

I’m at St Boniface hospital for the standard blood work and a visit with the oncologist. I’m feeling good and the visit should be uneventful.

I have a few questions, most I suspect will not have a clear answer. Things like “Are you sure the Cancer is still gone?”. It seems that the blood work tells them next to nothing about the presence or absence of cancer in my body. I’ll ask again about scans or x-rays but so far it’s been a “no go”.

After meeting with the doctor she confirms that there will be no scans due to the radiation exposure unless there are symptoms warranting a scan. So, no scan just for a casual look see.

One thing I’d totally forgotten about was the follow-up MUGA scan post-chemo that took place back in March 4, 2019. It seems that I didn’t get off total free from some negative effects of one of the chemo drugs. My left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 67% to 50% which was described as “significant” but “at the lower end of the normal range”. A caveat was noted that “the patient” positioning was different between the two scans. I didn’t notice this until later so I didn’t get to discuss this with the doctor. Now believing Ps 103:1-5 more that ever, especially v4 where is says “Who redeems my life from destruction” – the “destruction” to my heart that the cancer/chemo caused will be redeemed and restored to it’s proper function, capability & capacity.

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The Hair

They said after chemo that when your hair grows back that it frequently is curly.

Of course I didn’t believe that. My hair was fairly straight and it will come back just the same as when it left, straight.

We’ll…..

…. what do I know?

I’m now being referred to as “Lambkins”