Saturday 8 August 2009

Had We But World Enough and Time

We don't, so here's the recap:

In the last 10 days we have visited hospitals and clinics in Carpentras, Orange, Avignon and Lyon, and two different GPs. How's that for a tour? All within about an hour of us, except Lyon, which is two and a half hours.

I have run into a stream of doctors who cannot understand how I arrived in their offices without papers, letters of recommendations, hospital records or, barely, appointments. And who sometimes seem more worried about my undocumented status than about me. I can understand that, now that I'm calmed down, but I finally told the urologist that I was more concerned about my own problems than his.

He took it like a man. Admitted me to the hospital, inserted a catheter for my evacuation problems, kept me three days, removed the catheter and sent me home. Meanwhile, he successfully obtained my hospital records, a letter from the oncologist I'd seen at Avignon, sent copies of everything to Lyon and talked to the oncologist there.

As soon as I'm up to snuff, he'll get a fawning thank you letter. My new GP, however, is history.

Visit yesterday in Lyon. Everyone at Léon Bréard was wonderful, kind and charming. By the time we were in the oncologist's office, my scans were being dumped into their computers by a nurse whose sole duty is for that. He got on the phone with a surgeon and they twirled my pictures around the computer while discussing my case. He was kind. Attentive.

The surgeon says maybe they'll operate, but they'll try chemo first to reduce the tumours, again. The ovarian specialist is returning Monday and they'll have a meeting to decide how to procede. After two treatments, I'll have another scan to assess progress.

I'll have treatment locally (in spite of my lack of enthusiasm for Montélimar), but Lyon will be in charge of me.

Bottom Line: The tumours are huge, but no other mestastesis except in the peritoneum where it's always been. Most of my blood counts are good. My CA-125 is 6,672. Who knew it could go so high without death?

I've been in bed for most of the week until yesterday. Now I am no longer in pain from the catheter and it's removal and no longer have symptoms of sciatica. I guess the pressure on the nerves has advanced to the point where I'm not feeling pain. Can't walk very well, either, but I prefer no pain.

To think that a month ago, I was painting shutters and contemplating jogging.

Oh, yeah, one more thing. You know those big girl panties you're supposed to put on and deal with it? I have the whole assortment.

TENA Pants


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3 comments:

  1. I hope the fact that there has some action taken and a plan hatched helps...a little. If you can complain, you're feeling alright - least that's what my Mama always said. That's not what I meant by big girl panties. They do look much more fashionable than the old Depends. Don't look bulky at all. HA! My best to you, Madame. XO

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  2. Sounds like you might finally be getting somewhere with this Doctor! Glad to hear you're keeping them on their toes. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for your whole chemo treatment this time. You WILL be back to doing things like painting shutters and jogging again.

    Keep your chin up. Hugs!

    Kim

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  3. Ha at the big girl pants and thank doG for modern technology. And thank doG for your new doc as well - they had the meeting yesterday, what's the plan? Glad you're not feeling pain...ugh sciatica pain is horrid. Keep on bitching!

    Carina

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