Health/Life Update
Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Monday, September 29, 2025
Medical/life update:
When we last left our thoroughly frustrated cancer patient, she was begging for doctors to talk to each other to get a port implant so they could start chemo. Let's listen in on her current troubles:
It's been a Monday, folks. This morning I went in to check on my appointment with the surgeon tomorrow, and noticed the appointment said "Port placement." So they're gonna do it? Wait! Don't I need to prep for that? It's an outpatient procedure, and shouldn't I have some instructions?
I called his office. The employee I spoke with said she didn't think any prep was necessary, but that a member of their care team would call back.
And they did, just as I was about to sit down for lunch.
Them: Tomorrow's appointment is just a consult prior to implant. However, I see you're in Plano and you're scheduled for the Denton office. It's silly for you to drive that far. How about if we make this a televisit?
Me: Yes! Thank you!
Them: We don't have an opening for the placement until next Wednesday. When are you scheduled to start chemo?
Me: Today.
Them:
Me: I'm rescheduled to start next Tuesday. Pardon my frustration, but... [Proceeds to recount the tale of woe you may have read last week, so I'll skip on a bit, brother.]
That lit a fire. They're checking to see if they can get me in Thursday or Friday for the implant.
When I was thinking tomorrow was the implant day, I was stressing out over the fact that it was an afternoon appointment and I had a morning routing med checkup for my PCP with fasting blood work, which means plenty of water. Would that mess with the procedure in the afternoon? Hence the need for the call. After last week's 20 hour fast, I wasn't keen on a longer one. But hey, if that's what it took to get the implant, I'd deal. I'm actually happier with later in the week if they can get it in. I should know tomorrow.
On the life front: The stress is not fun. I can't concentrate on much of anything. I've been piddling around with small projects for as long as my limited/stressed attention span can handle. Maybe I'll have some clarity tomorrow.
Oh, and back when I shared the news a few weeks ago, I said I didn't need any crowdfunding, flowers, or food, but to please answer your e-mails and meet your deadlines. I forgot about respecting my time and effort. I won't recount what happened over the weekend, but Saturday evening I had a quiet mini-meltdown. It's a surprise that I haven't totally broken down over this yet. It will happen, and a good cry will probably do me some good. This is kind of like how I deal with the death of a close relative. I'm the one stepping in to take care of the immediate details, so there's no time to really process my grief until down the road, when I have a good cry and am no good for anything for a couple of days. And yeah, Saturday evening had me reflecting on my own mortality a bit. Maybe more than a bit.
And there's my moan for tonight.
Filed under: Life Cancer Sucks
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