Round Three Of Three

I had been watching the weather hoping the snow would not interfere with my getting to my last treatment of BCG.  It began snowing yesterday and snowed lightly all night long before turning to rain/sleet.  My appointment was earlier today (9AM) so I set the alarm earlier to allow myself time to clear the driveway.  All night long I could hear the plows/sanders/salters zooming.  Safer roads are the goal, but really: truck after truck spreading salt? I guess those drivers want to rake in that cash so they have to get those miles. I digress.

We got a little more than an inch, but it was very heavy and sticky.  I started my car and cleared the driveway and the sun came out.  Very picturesque.  Very much the New England Christmas post card scenery.  I welcomed the sun and the beauty that nature can be. Got in my car and trekked to my appointment.  Traffic understandably, was light.

When I arrived at Northeast Urologic, there was only one patient in the waiting room and he was chatting with one attendant.  The other open window was manned, but I guess I had to wait until I was worthy enough to be called: next.

I first gave some seasonal tidings to break the ice, then provided my name and reason for my visit.  Donna looked at her screen and said, "Yes, you are here to see Torri". She asked me to verify my information then collected my co-pay.  She provided a specimen jar and dismissed me.

I provided the sample and returned to the waiting room.  I was the only one sitting there.  After a few minutes a medical professional with folder in hand,yelled out,'Robert".  I looked around and no one was there.  She called the name again then left.  Strange.

A few minutes later, Donna looked at me and said, "You were called.  Didn't you hear it?"  I said I heard Robert.  The same professional returned and this time called out Richard.   I mentioned that she had just called Robert.  She said, "I did?" as in disbelief.

Well I was grilled for my information and was bought to yet another examination room I hadn't graced with my presence.  She went through her spiel and indicated that Torri would be with me shortly.

Not long after Torri arrived and after my saying Merry Christmas, she extended her hand (palm up), I thought she wanted a shake and a flattened high five, so I awkwardly slapped her palm.  She said, jokingly, "No gift.  Just a hand shake?"  Not that I had anything to give her, but I felt kind of dumb.

Torri did her thing and within minutes I was done.  She really is good.  I told her that she needed a raise.  She said, "Tell them out there".  I did say I will mention her to the Doctor the next time I see him.

Drove home and started my marination.  Didn't quite make the two hours.  I just couldn't stand the discomfort anymore so, I got up and voided. 

You seem to forget until it all comes back.  Then reality becomes crystal clear.

I immediately took two pyridium, but it wasn't long before I was making very frequent trips to the toilet.  Like other third rounds, the side effects pulled no punches.  Every visit, I feel all my lymph nodes scream as if they were on fire.  This has always been the most unpleasant part.  I'm hoping the pyridium kicks in because it does help.  But going every 5-10 minutes with very little output and great pain just ain't fun.

At this point, I'm foggy and feeling very blah.  I can't even doze off without needing to go.

This was expected, and this too will pass.  Just not a favorite way to celebrate Christmas.  But it sure beats the alternative.

More to come! 

 

Round Two of Three

I Can See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

...I hope it's not a train.

Well in true New England form, we broke from the grips of the polar vortex in time for me to get my second round of BCG.  

The office at Northeast Urologic Surgery was hopping.  However, my check in was quick and I didn't even get a chance to have seat after providing my specimen.  I had the same medical professional call me in and follow her to a familiar examination room.  She went through her spiel and before leaving, she said, "You know the drill.  Torri will be with you shortly".

Not long afterward, Torri arrived and did her 'thing'.  She was quick and it was relatively painless (mostly just uncomfortable).  I was in and out in no time.  I made it home by 11:15 AM.  I had everything set up to do my two hour marination and did the full two hours.

I voided and immediately took pyridium and drank lots of fluids.  I thought it might be too late for coffee, so I decided on the hot cocoa to warm the bones and take the chill off.

I've been doing basically nothing.  I watch some videos then joined a zoom session, but I did not play. The music medicine was enjoyable and calming.

Having been through this, I was prepared to feel blah with no desire to anything but sit and watch the hours slip by. Mission accomplished.

Hoping tomorrow will show improvement as I await my last round on Christmas Eve day.

More to come! 

First Round Of Three

Well it is December and this is New England.   But, the weather cooperated this morning for my commute to Northeast Urological in N. Andover. Traffic was also cooperative.  I made it to the office parking lot a half hour early.

Check in was uneventful.  I provided a urine specimen and returned to the waiting room expecting to wait for my appointment, seeing I was more than a half hour early. I had just sat down when I heard my name called. After my grilling to verify my identity, I was walked down to yet another examination room I haven't been in.  After three years worth of appointments, I thought I had seen all the real estate.  This place is cavernous.

After doing the regular check to see if anything had changed and signing off on the consent form, I was directed to prepare myself for my BCG instillation.

Not too long transpired and Nurse Practitioner, Torri arrived.  She went through her spiel and made some small talk while she performed an effective instillation with minimal discomfort.  I've had her before.  She is really good at this. Upon completion, she gave me the follow up spiel and bid me a good day.  "I'll see you next week", I exclaimed as she left the room.

Returning to my car, I noticed it wasn't even 11 AM, yet.  The drive home was uneventful and I made it home by 11:15 AM.  I had prepared for my marination and listened to some locally grown music for two hours. At the sound of the last timer bell, I voided and immediately took some generic pyridium and made some hot cocoa.  

At this writing, I just feel blah (expected).  I'm trying to drink plenty of fluids to flush my body.  So it's going to be a do nothing-type day.

More to come! 

And It Starts Again

I was waiting for some correspondence regarding my next round of BCG.  I have a  cystoscopy already scheduled for the end of February.  In the past, I needed time to 'heal' between treatments and the cystoscopy. So, I contacted the office today.

Well, now it's on the books.  My first round of three will be December 10th.  Subsequent rounds will follow for the next two weeks.  The last one will be Christmas Eve Day,  Well I know now to prepare.

As in the past, I have to drop off a urine sample today.  They close for lunch between 12 and 1, so I'll be visiting right after 1PM. 

So the fun begins again.  

More to come!