Pre-Testing Phase (4)

October 5, 2018  Pre-Testing Phase (4)

     Yesterday, was a light day, but it wasn't fun. Of course, I had more labs (I don't know what they are doing with all this blood!). In the afternoon, I had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), which made me nervous. It went fine, but the long needle and no lollipop had me a little uneasy. They nurse was fantastic and numbed me up, but waiting for the spinal fluid to drip into the vials seemed to take forever.  Near the end, I got a little faint-headed and they had me lie down for quite awhile afterward. They also gave me a lot of caffeine (diet Cokes), which is supposed to ward off possible headaches from the procedure.

     Today, I went to Cardiology Center in Edmunds. It was about a 40 minute drive in the rain. I still think it is pretty here, but it's starting to get a little dreary. I had an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to make sure my heart can handle all the upcoming chemotherapy. I wandered around the town of Edmunds for a bit and had a nice cup of coffee. These Washingtonians really know how to make coffee!

     Then, I made my way to an office at UW for a gynecology appointment. I was a bit early so I toured in my car around the University area for awhile. Like any University town, there was no parking! I just don't know if I could motivate myself to go to classes in this weather! It is so drippy and no one uses umbrellas. . .you just get wet.

    After that appointment, I was finished for the day. I got a bit teary because I don't have any appointments this weekend and my daughter comes home from New York tomorrow. I thought about flying home for the weekend, but last minute flights are $300 one-way! (Southwest is only cheap if your reservation is 2-3 weeks in advance).  So, I'll just have to wait until Wednesday. The doctors are letting me fly home for a couple of days. It should be fun, we will drive Sophia to LA and get her all set up for Year 2 of college. Then, I will fly back up to Seattle on Monday for the final testing and Phase II of the Transplant (Mobilization and Collection of Stem Cells)!