I was admitted back to my home away from home in Seattle due to an elevated temperature and a chest x-ray that made the medical staff in Wenatchee uncomfortable. My chemotherapy treatments have been in Wenatchee for the past week. On Thursday, I had my second of four infusions to deal with the amyloid generating cells. That evening I ran a temperature of 100+, which is a trigger point for me to start calling the doctors. The following morning I was back at the local clinic for blood draw (I should start charging for this) and a chest x-ray. The x-ray showed I had some shadows on my lungs. So off to the UW Medical Center in Seattle to get checked out and put into the hospital. The first 24 hours I was given a second chest x-ray, a CT Scan and a bronchoscopy (a fun procedure with a small camera up through the nose and into the lungs. The procedure allows for sampling cells from the lung to check for analysis of any infectious agent). Then on Sunday and Monday I had to wait for the lab to process the samples. The doctors believe I am well enough to be discharged, but I will stay until Tuesday for my third of four infusions of Velcade to be given in Seattle. This all came as a surprise to me as I have been making positive progress in all areas. My balance with the strength in my legs has allowed me to walk more without the aide of a hiking pole. I am not running yet, but that could come eventually. Lately have been thinking of an escape plan. You know, to climb on a motorcycle and head to a new place where none of this stuff can find me. Oh well, one can dream.
What a roller coaster this all is. I can understand the desire to take a crazy, Steve McQueen/Great Escape ride across a crazy terrain to get away from it all. You have to know, Rick that you are an inspiration to so many....your attitude, your good cheer, your gracious persistence and courage. I am so sorry that this unimaginable test has been yours and Rose's. We love you dearly.
ReplyDeleteRich heads up THE MOUNTAIN on Wednesday. Would love your prayers for him and the others. Hopefully, he and I can come and share it all with you when he gets home. I know that all depends on how things are going with your health.
Again, we love you and loved time with you the other night!
Hi Rick, Lost your phone number. Would like to call you when you are back home. We leave for Mayo Clinic on Friday. Surgery scheduled for Thursday, 27th July. The only concern I have is the wheel chair ride to the plane. Continuing to pray for your full recovery - maybe we'll escort each other to Rainier's summit one of these days. (They've told me that mowing grass after my surgery will feel like climbing Everest). Greg Austin
ReplyDeleteBy the way, when you're ready for the Great Escape, I have the bike! Greg
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