The First Time ..........

I was feeling pretty upbeat over the last weekend in June. After all, it looked like I'd found a doctor who would be able to do something about my jaw problem. Things took a slight turn on the Monday, June 28th, when the Otolaryngologist, Dr. I, called. The test results from the biopsy showed that there was cancer in the jaw. He asked me to get a PET scan done and I was able to schedule it in RWJ Rahway on Wed 7/7 at 8:30.

Wednesday the 30th, I had an 11:00 appointment with the Dermatologist, Dr. S., in Edison. I only scheduled it because my Cardiologist had insisted when I met with them last month. He looked me over but it was me who pointed out a few small growths on my arm. He said they weren't serious and he'd cut them out. I didn't want that but I did agree  to letting him freeze them. I did not make a follow up appointment. Frankly, I was disappointed but it's not the first time with him.

I spent the Sunday the 4th of July at a quiet, little family gathering. Because of my jaw problems, I couldn't really enjoy any of the food but I did enjoy the company.

Tuesday July 6th, I drove up to Rahway for a scheduled visit with my Radiation Oncologist, Dr. K.. He took a quick look and I told him about what was happening with my jaw. There was nothing he could do, of course, and I wound up making a follow-up appointment in July. Another disappointing visit and I'm seriously thinking of cancelling July.

Wednesday the 7th, I drove back up to Rahway for the PET Scan I'd scheduled at RWJ. On the way up, I saw the crew at the Avenel Fire Department working on one of their trucks.

I've seen them out there before but this was the first time I'd seen anyone on top of the truck. Pretty Cool!

PET scans take a bit longer because they have to inject me with a radioactive dye and then I wait about 45 minutes. I knew that, of course, since this wasn't my first time. I waited a little while afterwards so I'd have the disc to take with me.

Friday the 9th, I was back down at Dr. I's office for an 8:30 appointment. 

He took the disc and checked it out. He then explained that because of the cancer and the radiation damage he and his partner would have to remove then reconstruct my jaw. He would do the operation and his partner would do the reconstruction. I met the partner, Dr. B., who explained that he'd need to remove some bone from either my leg or my shoulder and asked me to get a CT scan of my leg. We agreed to Monday 7/26 as the tentative operation date.

Things were quiet for a few days and on Wednesday 7/14 I drove back down to RWJ New Brunswick for the CT Scan. I left early, as usual, and wound up getting stuck behind this guy.

I still got there in plenty of time and, although it was slightly different from what I'm used to, it wasn't my first scan. I waited for the disc and drove home.

Saturday the 17th, I slept in a little which was great. I really didn't need to go anywhere but I thought that a nice drive around would be fun. Of course, things don't always work out. When I opened my apartment door I saw a young guy from upstairs trying to open the vestibule door with a knife. Apparently, the lock was broken and we couldn't get the door open. I called the building owners and left a message. I called the super and left a message. I called the police and the fire departments but they said it wasn't an emergency situation so they couldn't help. I went back into my apartment and actually had to let a neighbor woman climb out my living room window (I'm on the first floor) and she was able to reach the fire escape ladder so she could get to work. After about another hour, a younger guy from down the hall got it open using a screwdriver and taped it up.

That's the first time that has ever happened to me. I still didn't need anything but I felt I should go out anyway.

Tuesday the 20, on the spur of the moment, I stopped for a haircut. I had to wait about 10 minutes but the air conditioner was working. 

Wednesday the 21st, I had an appointment with my Urologist, Dr. N., in Edison. I was there at 10 for a 10:30 appointment but he was running late and I didn't see him until 11:30. Things checked out well and they drew blood for a PSA test. I was frustrated when I left because I always seem to have to wait a long time for him and as I drove out I passed this guy.

Wrong place, wrong time.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove home.

Yesterday, my Daughter picked me up and we drove back to New Brunswick. I had Pre-admission Testing at 7:30 and an appointment with Dr. B at 9:30. What was good was that they were in the same building. I went through another EKG, some more blood work, and a bunch of health related questions from 2 separate people. It was not the first time I'd done this and it went smoothly. Dr. B. saw us early and filled in some details on what I could expect. It looks like the surgery will take close to 12 hours and he'll be taking the bone from my shoulder. I'll be in the ICU after that for a day or 2, then get moved to a room for the rest of the time. He said it would probably be from 7 to 10 days total. I left feeling somewhat reassured and I think my Daughter was feeling better, too. When she dropped me off, she lent me a small suitcase I could use.

Today I slept in again. It was a beautiful, slightly cooler morning and I was feeling good when I went out to run some errands. I stopped at a few places and picked up a few things. I finished up at the Walmart Pharmacy, picking up a few renewed prescriptions. When I got home, I had breakfast and read the paper. As I went to get up I saw this.

Even though I've been told not to bring anything with me, I still need to pack for my hospital stay. Now, I've been hospitalized for extended periods several times before but I never had to pack for myself. 

This is going to be the first time.

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