Summary #1

Here ends Summary #1.  I will continue summarizing my treatment in Chemo Cycles 1-3.  This is ah.... archive material.


11 Jan 2010 - Monday
Chemo #1 - thus begins the 63 day saga that will be Chemotherapy.   Today, we will begin the first of 3, twenty-one day cycles.

5-8 Jan 2010
Somewhere in here, I'll visit the UW Male Fertility Clinic for sperm banking. Harborview decided to utilize their discretionary fund to provide me with a 50% discount on fertility services.  Chemo depletes the male sperm count, but the body usually corrects its sperm count within a year, or two, of completing treatment.  This is just a precaution.  

5 Jan 2010 - Tuesday
The Pulmonary Function Lab administered tests that recorded my current lung function so that we can set a base line.  This went well.  There will be several pulmonary function labs during the course of my treatment.  With a baseline, we can tell how I am doing, if my lung function has dropped or raised, etc, due to the chemo.

4 Jan 2010 - Monday
A port was installed under the skin below my collarbone somewhere.  This protects my veins from frequent injection damage.  It feels and looks just about the way one would imagine. 

31 Dec 2009 - Thursday 
Meet with the oncologist to prepare for chemotherapy. 

22 Dec 2009 -Tuesday 
New news, new plan

21 Dec 2009 - Monday
CT scan #2 was uneventful

17 Dec 2009 - Thursday
Meet with the surgeon/urologist, Dr. McLung.  He said that I am healing very well from the surgery.
Met the oncologist, Dr. Lee.  She examined me and scheduled me for more blood tests and another CT scan.
Gave blood to the lab.

30 Nov 2009 - Monday
Met with Dr. McClung to review biopsy and CAT Scan. The biopsy was inconclusive, so they're going to take a better look.  They are going to set up an appointment with an Oncologist (cancer specialist) for me in the near future.

19 Nov 2009 - Thursday 
Had a very smooth surgery.
Made it home by 1pm!

17 Nov 2009 - Tuesday
Financial Center opted to cover 100% of my medical bills through 5.17.10!
Met with Kay for preop information.
Met my Anesthesiologist to determine the best anesthesia for me.
Had a chest x-ray and a CAT scan
Blood test came back indicating normal organ function etc!

16 Nov 2009 - Monday
Visit Harborview Medical Center for the first time.
Financial Center was too understaffed to meet with me, so we made an appointment for tomorrow.
Met my urologist, Dr. Christopher McClung.
Met Kay Longhi, the urology Patient Care Coordinator. 
Let the lab draw more blood for tests.