Friday, March 27, 2009
Spaghetti
Isn't comfort food amazing? Something so simple as a favorite food can make you feel at home and normal, if only for the moment. My most favorite food is spaghetti. Meat and mushroom sauce. French bread, Italian salad. I can't have all that now but I'm going to eat spaghetti tonight. Today has been a challenging day. I started off with chemo at 8 after waking up at 4. My good friend Bob took me to the CCR. I was having trouble breathing the entire time but I knew the plan and knew a drain was coming after chemo. Bev took me to PVH around 1 for the drains to begin. However, while still at the CCR, my doc had ordered a ultrasound for my arm that still hurt from last Sunday. This would occur at PVH after the drain. My doc at PVH said that he had changed his mind and was only going to drain my right side, which he had just done the night before. This time they pulled 3 1/2 liters off my right side. He also ordered an extra cat scan in addition to the before and after xrays I normally get during a normal drain. So first stop afterward was the ultrasound for my arm. Then the cat scan, then the xrays. During the cat scan, they told me not to leave the hospital until I talked with Dr. Kanard, my Oncologist. Turns out I now have a blood clot in my arm. She had given us this possibility while at CCR and showed Bev how she would have to give me shots in my tummy, thighs or arms. Now we knew this is the way it is, so then we headed off to Walgreens. Once there, they didn't even have more than 1 1/2 days supply in their store. So we bought what they had as I have to start right away. Then they told us the price. Over $280 for a 5 day supply. We asked if that was after insurance and they said insurance paid over $400 toward the cost. $700 for 10 shots. And now I have an outpatient surgery planned for Monday to install a catheter into my right lung so that I can open the faucet and drain at home as needed. The risk of infection is a tossup compared to the risk of infection of continually being drained every 36 hours. Unbelievable. I just hope I can make it to Monday without another visit to the hospital. I can only suggest to do one of two things: don't get sick - or know what your favorite comfort food is! Mine is on the stove now - can't wait!
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Hey Ken!
ReplyDeleteThis is the Corbett Desk guy wanting to offer encouragement. : ) I'm glad things are going well thus far!
I had cancer a few years back: I have to say you're quite spoiled with designer chemo and all!
It's really strange. Your trips to the hospital all the time, getting drained, cat scans, x-rays, etc., I understand, but with your description of chemotherapy and that of su esposa, it's almost like something altogether different: that you've been up and able to do things besides sleep is amazing!
So as far as I know, I don't really have much advice. Just glad you're doing well, and that you'll get the tap. : )
Take care, I'll keep following the blog!
Hi Ken,
ReplyDeleteMy husband, Marv, and I own "Healthy Addictions" and recently read about your "blog" when delivering bread to Cram-a-latte. Even though we don't know you very well, I felt compelled to write down your blog address. Please know that our hearts go out to you and Bev and we will most certaily keep you and your family in our prayers. Ken, I love reading your blogs. I know this is a difficult time for you, but your positive attitude and sense of humor will get you through!
Speaking of "comfort food," my uncle, as well as many other cancer patients, have found comfort from eating raspberries (believe it or not, there have been studies done on the benefits of raspberries for cancer patients!). Anyway, if you are interested, we would love to drop off some of our all natural raspberry fruitbars for you to munch on (or if you don't like raspberries, we have other flavors for you to enjoy!). I don't make very good spaghetti, so the fruitbars are the best I can do!!!
Ken, I'm also available on Thursdays if you ever need a ride to treatment. The wonderful people in Gunnison, Colorado (strangers included) helped take my uncle to his appointments when my aunt couldn't do so and I'd be glad to do the same for you and Bev if needed!
God Bless,
Rene (from Windsor!)
Hooray for Lovenox!
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