Thursday

Dad slept good last night, but woke up around 4:00 with achy arms...which he had the last time around...all he has to do is dangle his arms down to his side and after a few minutes it's better. He also got through some more hiccups last evening but no sign of them today. So he feels good this morning and is currently hooked up to the starting fluids.

Yesterday the Med Center called to see when he was scheduled for the echocardiogram and the pulmonary test and when she heard it was set up for the 10th, she said that wouldn't work well because it would hold things up. It seems that these tests are needed by the insurance company and until they have them, they can't preapprove the stem cell procedure....and considering the unthinkable price on that...well, it's necessary. She was concerned that they would be able to get another appointment early enough...the insurance needs about a week to process the results. So after I visited with the nurse at Dad's oncologist's office, she told me to call the hospital to see when I could get him rescheduled. I happened to get some one on the ball at the hospital that was very nice and I ended up getting the tests scheduled for 7:00 next Monday morning. I called back the coordinator at the Med Center to tell her and she was so impressed she wanted to hire me as a scheduler! So the good news is that Dad will have those tests before the Neulasta shot kicks in and causes a bit of discomfort. Also, for the insurance company, Dad had to have 2 more blood tests...which were done today before he started chemo...at least they were able to take it out of his port.

So beyond today, the plan is such:
Friday, Jan 28: Neulasta shot
Monday Jan 31: echocardiogram & pulmonary test
Thursday Feb. 3: blood work
Wed. Feb. 9: blood work
Thurs., Feb 10 PET and CT scan....probably getting the results later that day...if the chemo has done it's thing, then on to the 14th
Monday Feb 14: appointment with his doctor at the Med Center...at this point, the doctor will make the final assessment and then will let us know when he needs to return to start things going for the stem cell transplant. I don't know if this might be the next day...or the next week. We'll be ready for whenever.

So that's it in a nutshell. I'll keep you all posted as to details along the way.