The Stillroom

I got a call from the doctor at Shadyside hospital early Monday evening and he said I need to get to ER immediately. Apparently, when one gets cancer, one is naturally predisposed to getting blood clots. I did not know that and now we know why I couldn’t walk last week. The blood clot formed on the inner bone of the left ankle. Not working with an oncologist to that point, my pcp associate just said people with cancer are prone to inflammation and gave me naproxen which is like Alleve to which I didn’t really take. When the pain diminished over time, it was because the clot traveled to the lung. It was the grace of God that got me here I do believe. The first night I spent in a triage room which was not all together unpleasant. It was cool, dark and had a tv and it was a big room. I called it the palace. The nurses as usual, are great. They don’t have time to dote over anyone nor is there time to. I am not a baby. The only downside was the woman across the way. Instead of just hitting her call button, she was one of those people who would just scream help, help, help. I think by morning they wanted to help her right out the door! I got into a private room by 8 am the next day. Rooms are at a premium for sure.

Day twenty seven (sorry, days are out of order)

I got settled in and not eaten in a day and a half at that point so my nurse brought me a couple of pancakes which was really nice of him. Lunch was great! Open faced beef sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes. After lunch I got a Doppler done on both legs that revealed blood clots still in both in spite of a gallon of blood thinner going through me and still one in the lung. They will fix with zaralto and shots in the stomach. Doc said they will dissolve into the body. I trust the doctor.

Late in the day, the oncology doc came in to tell me this is stage four. I guess I knew that. Her group will be taking care of me moving forward and now there is a plan in place. Lots of chemo, hair loss and all that one could expect with this. I no longer will be going to the Pancreatic Disciplinary Group at Presby. Im relieved about that because it would have meant more days going by and tests to which these doctored have it all at their finger tips so now we can move forward. She said With this treatment, it will buy me a couple of years with the possibility remission. That would really be amazing if it came to fruition! I just needed to know I have more than a few months.

I think they are going to try to implant a port today, not sure quite yet. I’ll know more as the day unwinds.

So, that’s what’s up at this moment. Im pretty sure I’ll be home for Thanksgiving but again, not a hundred percent at this early hour. Had a good sleep last night. Just a kink in my back from sleeping on my back. Im a stomach, face buried in the pillow sleeper.

The picture today is the front of Waterworks stores. I can see cars coming down 28.

What a long, strange trip this has been. Im just happy Im getting answers to all of my fears.