9 March
- I have cancer
(3 days gap — time to get used to the idea and start boiling in it)
12 March
- CT scan. With this scan the doctor will determine the stage of the cancer.
The test is something else by itself: an hour before the test you get a bottle of 1 liter of a sperm-like fluid, with the charming flavor of slightly rotten oranges. You need to drink it all throughout the hour and not at once (have no mistake! — It's designed like this to get you to develop the acquired taste, not to get the fluid spread evenly in your body). During the test itself, you lie on a bed-like thing, you get something injected to your body that makes you feel like you've just wet your pants, and while you're busy worrying that your shameful pants-wetting accident is visible (and contemplating how you're going to say something to the "people in charge" because nobody told you to bring change of clothes!) — the bed slides in and out of a ringy machine with disco lights going round you. yippee! And then it's over. You get dressed and are happy to discover that the pants are not wet. It was just your senses playing a trick on you (WTF?!). Time for a cigarette (you hadn't had one since 06:00 and it's now past 11:00)
(4 days gap — boiling continues. What will be the results? How many jelly-beans are there in my body? Where else are they? How long do I already have this shit?...)
16 March
- First appointment with the Oncologist and the oncology department's staff
I got to hear the stage of my cancer - Stage 2b. this means stage 2 with "side effects" such as night sweating, itching and other strange feelings in the body. This is good news because although the cancer is located in 3 locations within the lymphatic system, all 3 are on the same side of the diaphragm and no other organs are involved. It is also positive news, because it means that I can get into a European Research that is there to check if it's possible to exclude radiations from the treatment of Hodgkin. And if there is the possibility to avoid radiations — one should choose this possibility. Radiations are told to be very bad for you on the long term.
I was introduced in general terms to the chemotherapy used for treating Hodgkin.
Now it's time for additional tests, to have in the file and for the monitoring of the impacts the chemo will have on the overall functionality of my body.
Everything in the Oncology department is very efficient. Things are happening super-quick and with the friendliest of smiles.
17 March
- Bone Marrow test
The first and most "charming" test.
It was designed in HELL specially to cheer people up.
It has an empowering effect on you:
If you've survived the bone marrow test, you can survive anything. Even cancer.
The test is done to check if the cancer had spread into the bone marrow.
If it had - the stage of the cancer becomes immediately stage 4.
18 March
- Acupuncture to stop smoking
It's strictly forbidden to smoke while benign treated with the specific chemo I'm about to get.
I don't like this cancer anymore! You can't even smoke quietly!
23 March
- Appointment with the Oncologist
I brought in the signed document of the research. I'm in!
The doctor asks if I had a date in mind to start the treatments.
30 March seems like a good date for me. It is also a good date for them.
30 March it is!
- Chest X-ray
- Dental Check
Before you start chemotherapy, it is important that your mouth is free of infections
(you'll get your fair share of those from the chemo in due time)
It was the first time ever that I went to check my teeth and they were found in good condition.
I must do something right.
24 March
- Heart Muscle Function test
Interesting stuff!
A bit of radioactive stuff goes into your blood and than you lie for 30 minutes
in a sci-fi machine that takes pictures and video of the way your heart is working
and how much blood it pumps in and out...
I almost fell asleep.
- Meeting with the Oncology Nurse
Time to ask all the questions and get them answered.
This is a very important chemo-orientation meeting.
Now everything is finally clear.
25 March
- 2nd Acupuncture treatment
- Blood Test before chemo
- Lung Function Test
It's great to see how after 22 years of intensive smoking — my lungs are functioning as they should.
And that's it!
Between 25-30 march I'm excused from visiting the hospital.
Next visit will be for the first chemo treatment.
Nice weekend to us all :-)
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