Cancer Update – Part 20

20 June 2023

Well, it’s settled. I’m scheduled for surgery on July 13th at 9 am. Again, communication. Dr. Burgers assured me she would know something about the date on Monday and her nurse called Monday morning with the news. My friend Holley suggests Dr. Burgers has so much empathy because she figures she has been through the process herself. That makes sense.

The Miami Herald had an article today about the scarcity of some cancer drugs. The reason is a company in India that manufactures the drugs has shut down after an FDA report of shredded quality control documents and of a worker pouring acid on test results. One of the two drugs was carboplatin, one of the four of which I was infused on June 5th. Makes you wonder what was in the infusion of carboplatin that had the company shredding quality control documents. Wonder if that’s why I am having so much trouble getting over my first infusion?

Speaking of Jim and Holley, they stopped by yesterday to bring me six Japanese rice meals that only need to be microwaved. She says they are so popular that faculty at the college want them when she brings them in for lunch. I tried one last night and almost finished the packet (there’s a lot of food in one packet).

I managed to dodge diarrhea last night and got a good night’s sleep. I even ate a regular breakfast this morning, giving the bananas a break. Coffee actually tastes like coffee and not instant Sanka.

After breakfast, I managed a short walk. I’m still not back to my usual stamina. This morning’s walk was around 0.9 miles. I usually walk a minimum of one mile and typically around 1.5. Not so sure about doing chores today since it’s already 82°F and humid with 100% change of rain scheduled for today.

With Tropical Storm Bret out there, it’s time to start a little preparation. I usually fill the jeep with diesel and get some cash from the bank in case electricity goes out and ATM’s are down. I’m pretty set for most hurricane supplies as that it a constant threat this time of year.

From the National Hurricane Center

It’s amazing how small the National Hurricane Center is. Michel and I toured it in April of 2022.

There’s not a whole lot more to the building than what you see.
The heart of the prediction center.

My local credit union is about five miles from my house and it’s a new building. There were four tellers actively working the line and so I got to a teller fairly quickly. Then it stalled. Apparently the sum I wanted to withdraw from savings was above the amount authorized to that teller. She had to get permission and then there was the problem of the cash in the drawer. I’m sure everyone behind me in line was cussing me. This always happens to me at that credit union, even if I’m depositing money into my account. There always seems to be a reason someone has to clear it with someone else. I’d change but they offer free checking and otherwise do a decent job in comparison to banks.

No workers today. I guess they saw the 100% rain forecast. I do wish they could complete the inside work and allow me to get back that part of my life. I would love to get everything out of my living room and off my kitchen table.

It looks like I’m set up for a buffet!

Of course, I should admit the kitchen table collects junk even in the best of circumstances but this is unusual even for me.

Stay tuned!

Author: searcyf@mac.com

After 34 years in the classroom and lab teaching biology, I'm ready to get back to traveling and camping and hiking. It's been too long of a break. I miss the outdoors and you can follow my wanderings on this blog.

One thought on “Cancer Update – Part 20”

  1. So happy that you slept well last night.

    Keep up the great blog work as it keeps us from texting you a million questions.

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