SPONTANEOUS SCHEDULE SCRAMBLE

 

SPONTANEOUS SCHEDULE SCRAMBLE

That’s how Kristina described her Wednesday.  The not so calm day before the storm.   Before going to the hospital for a MUGA scan (more on that in a bit) Kristina crossed swords with a neighbor who wanted to cut down a tree that formed some privacy in her backyard.  By Kristina’s description, that bit of ‘normalcy’ was almost a welcome relief from what’s to come.

Kristina dashed to the storage room to pack away skis and winter gear then went back to the house to meet Shannon, who would accompany her throughout the day at the hospital.

First, some good news.  She didn’t need a platelet transfusion, but her ‘crit’ (short for hematocrit) level was too low so she’ll need a red blood transfusion today (Thursday) when she enters the hospital.

Back to the MUGA scan.  It’s short for a “Multigated acquisition” imaging test that helps determine how well the heart is functioning.  The internal images it takes of the heart checks whether blood is being properly pumped into the lower chambers.  A small bit of radioactive material is injected through an IV line and the scanner follows that material through the heart.  Pretty cool.

Short story:  Kristina has a good heart (but we all knew that already, didn’t we?)

And despite the IV, the radioactive stuff, etc, Kristina fell asleep during the MUGA scan. 

Then came the first shot of the G-CLAM chemotherapy delivered subcutaneously.  Right in the belly (ouch – but that’s me talking). 

There was some good news on other fronts.  Her vacation and sick days may extend her medical coverage for a while longer (still waiting for details).   There are significant other expenses, but that was welcome news.

She was back home around 6pm with instructions not to eat anything after midnight.  Today (Thursday) will be hospital day 1.  The Hickman tube will be inserted and she’ll get a transfusion of red blood cells.  It’s the start of the real treatment.  Round 3.