For the sake of patients nearby, I didn’t ring the bell, though I was deeply grateful that today was my final radiation dose and that it seems to have done its job in relieving the pain. It made me think back to 2016, when I went through 39 doses. Hearing that bell ring early in my treatment back then would have only reminded me how far I still had to go.
Category: Health
The Cutting of the Hospital Wristbands
Saturday afternoon, home at last from Thursday morning. So many tests and scans, day and night. So many kind people at this University of Minnesota teaching hospital: it keeps me optimistic about the next generation. No more appointments until Monday.
Me and a Medical Linear Accelerator
This afternoon, I got a carefully delivered dose of radiation from this magnificent machine that rotated around me, targeting the tumor on my spinal cord. Another dose tomorrow (Saturday), and then hopefully I’ll be discharged from the hospital. I’ll have a few more doses next week.
Sleepover at the U
This morning my care team had been looking at my records and decided an ER visit was in order. From there I was admitted to a hospital room for the next couple nights or so for another MRI then spine surgery (maybe) and radiation (probably). Photography by Dwight, chocolate chip cookies by a friend.
Something normal
On the way home from a medical appointment, I insisted on something normal*: an Americano and an old-fashioned donut at Open Book. It doubles as our polling place, but there weren’t many takers: we live in a liberal neighborhood, and I expect most people heeded the warnings to vote by mail. *Normal is important to me: I’d just learned that my tumor is now pressing against my spinal cord, likely leading to palliative surgery.
$1,039 to $144
Reviewed my Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) for October, each of which corresponds to a medical bill paid fully or in part by insurance. I’ve received 14 EOBs so far for this month, with more to trickle in over the coming weeks. While each EOB used to arrive by mail as a thick wad of paper, I now receive them electronically. In this case, an uninsured patient would have been billed $1,039.00 for laboratory services; however, the rate negotiated between the provider and the insurer was just $144.26.
Today’s scan
Today’s adventure: an MRI in a truck in a hospital parking lot. The hospital is remodeling its MRI suite, so I got to ride in one of Siemens’ latest systems. Fortunately, there’s a small changing area inside, so I didn’t have to parade across the lot in a hospital gown.
Glowing from within
Today I had a SPECT/CT scan. Friday’s Pluvicto infusion attached directly to the tumor, providing enough radiation for today’s imaging. As the drug decays, it emits gamma rays detected by two rotating cameras in the foreground. The scan finishes with a CT from the rear ring, which is merged with the SPECT data to form a 3D image. Pretty neat.
I did it my way
For some reason, potato chips with my coffee before an 8:30 a.m. Pluvicto infusion felt mildly rebellious. No lingering guilt.
Well, that was fast!
Well, that was fast! This morning, the physical therapist recommended a lumbar roll, so I ordered one on Amazon. Four hours later, it was in the mailroom downstairs at no extra charge. Beyond sitting with this, I’ve got exercises about six times a day and no walking for now, though we decided the 0.2 miles to Maxwell’s Pub for dinner this evening doesn’t count.