Last Week in Houston
The latest trip to Houston was much like the one I had three months ago. Tests on day one. Rest on day two. Then a tense time of visiting with the doctor on day three.
I flew out Monday morning. Took the shuttle to M.D. Anderson’s Mayes Clinic and had blood work, followed by a chest x-ray. After that, I had to down two bottles of banana flavored barium before my CT scan. Disgusting. Meanwhile, I finished the book I’ve been reading, a memoir called The Glass Castle.
Back in the CT scan room, I had an IV put in, before taking on the always fun task of changing into the CT scan scrubs, not the easiest thing to do when you have one arm. The pants, you see, have to be tied at the waist so they don’t fall down while walking to the scan room. But I’m not particularly good at tying things. Oh, I can git-r-done, eventually, using a combination of hand, teeth, and awkward positions, but it takes forever and looks idiotic.
Then it was heading into the scan room, where I had the honor of meeting the woman who was getting ready to insert a hose up my butt. Awkward.
The scans only took about ten to fifteen minutes. Then it was back to the dressing area, where the IV was taken out and I put my civilian clothes back on.
A twenty dollar cab ride to my hotel followed. Upon arriving in my room, I rested and recovered from the barium, iodine contrast, and violation of my “region.” My appetite returned at some point, and I walked over to a nearby shopping area, where I bought a new journal, poetry book, and some take out sushi. I returned to my room, ate, and worked on a few poems.
LeAnn joined me on Tuesday, arriving at about ten a.m. in a rental car. We ate a late breakfast, then relaxed a bit at the hotel pool. I sat in the shade, of course, and wrote poetry. That’s what I do at pools. After that it was movie time and dinner at a cool restaurant.
The next day, we met with Dr. Kopetz, perhaps the nicest guy in the world, although the competition is tough between him and my other doctor, Dr. Curley. Dr. Kopetz gave us the good news, that the tumors hadn’t grown in the last three months, that he was “encouraged” by my scans, and that they were trying to come up with a plan for whenever this chemo regimen eventually stops being effective.
We flew home later that day and reentered the real world.
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Comments
Jim,
This news makes my heart smile. I am an intern at The Oklahoman and I, along with my friends, read your updates often. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. You offer an especially poignant reminder that life is not to be taken for granted for us 20-somethings that tend to forget all too often.
God Bless.
Jim,
This bit of news has made my day. Know that someone in Houston who has never met you is cheering for you.
Have a blessed day.
Jim:
God is good! I have been reading your story and it is so heart felt, I have been thinking and praying about your family. Your story is making a difference, I beleive you will see more blessings to come.
No new growth – made my day!