Valentine's Day

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

This is Randy, Kathy’s husband, posting again. The hotel we are staying at provides a breakfast buffet so we had a nice breakfast before catching the shuttle to CTCA at 7:15. We arrived about a half hour before our appointment, so we went to the CTCA resource center. This is an area that provides computer access for patients and those with them. It is a nice convenience to check email while we are here. They also have recliners, a large screen TV, free gourmet coffee and a large assortment of books and medical journals.

The treatment approach at CTCA is very comprehensive and today they discussed the components of their program that go beyond the medical aspects. They talked about what they offer in terms of counseling, relaxation techniques, pain management and the guest services offered by CTCA. We had a break around 10 AM so we went to the cafeteria for some late breakfast and coffee. We went back to the resource center after that and Kathy caught up on some email while I used my Blackberry to check on things back at my office. My boss is very supportive and my staff has done a great job managing things in my absence. Back to the cafeteria for lunch and then on to more appointments. Kathy and I both agree that we liked what the Naturopathy doctor had to offer in terms of vitamins and supplements to complement the treatments. We had a very bad experience with a doctor back in Pennsylvania, so we were a little anxious about what such treatments might involve. But this doctor had the proper training, was very professional, and provided an approach that we both felt comfortable pursuing.

We returned to the resource center to wait for our next appointments and by then our friends Jeanette and Lou had arrived. What a blessing it was to see them!! They went on to their appointment with Dr. Citrin and Kathy went to be fitted for a compression sleeve. The compression sleeve keeps her left arm from swelling, a condition called lymphedema, caused by the removal of the lymph nodes during her recent surgery. Without the compression her arm is prone to irreversible swelling. I had wrapped her arm before our flight out as a precaution.

We took the shuttle back to the hotel and walked over to check out the nearby thrift store. We stopped at the Piggly Wiggly (what a name for a grocery store) and went back to the hotel for our on the road celebration of Valentine’s Day. The kids gave us cards to bring with us and we plan to order in some pizza later.

Tomorrow is another busy day for Kathy. She starts at 7:15 AM with a PET scan, the most sophisticated body-scan to check for the presence of cancer activity. CTCA is sending a limo to pick her up and get her there early for the test. I will join her later around 10 AM and we will talk to a nutritionist. By noon, Dr. Citrin should have the results of the PET scan. After Dr. Citrin, we will meet with Dr. Sanchez, the surgeon, to discuss the placement of a chest port, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.