Hopkins and a Port

Here's the medical update...

Monday... We went to "Chemo Class."  It took a long time, and was fairly interesting, but it was also super depressing.  One fellow was obviously having a hard time with being there.  There are three reasons people have chemo, and the office is very honest.  It's even written on a paper for you to sign.  The three reasons are "curative", prolong the progression, and "palliative" which is really just controlling the symptoms.  We are so grateful that we are in the "curative" category.  Afterwards M had some blood drawn and we met with the oncologist again.

Wednesday... Off early to have a second opinion at Johns Hopkins University.  We made it on time and were a little concerned when the doctor we were seeing was chiding that office personnel for giving him the worst exam rooms.  First we saw his "assistant."  She took a thorough history and did a quick physical exam of M.  Then they both came in and we discussed things. He was much nicer in person.  We were very open about getting a second opinion, so the appointment was fairly quick.  They agreed with the diagnosis and with the treatment plan.  They actually thought we could be less aggressive if we wanted, but M really wants to just do chemo and make sure all the cancer is gone.  I don't really blame him.

Before the port went in.

Friday M had a blood test to see how quickly his blood clots (or something like that) and then he had his port put in.  I came and waited during the port insertion.  I was a little worried because it was taking a lot longer than it was supposed to, but apparently they had just been a little held up.  M was awake and conscious during the procedure. He remembered everything.  He was pretty sore the rest of the day, but he is so happy to have it in!  As a side note this is the first time that having C with me was a hassle.  Apparently there was someone in there with something nasty, and so they wouldn't let me take her back with me to see M.  But they were very nice and had a nurse come out and hold her while I went back to chat with him.  Thankfully he was "with-it" enough to get himself dressed and out the door.

After!  I came in and he was eating a sandwich.