Today, Todd has his first Fast-track Outpatient Appointment at the Leukemia Clinic at MD Anderson. It was a learning process.
We left the hotel in the morning, after rush-hour traffic. I couldn't believe how fast and close we were to the hospital from the hotel taking the highway. When there is no traffic, it is definitely close enough.
The Outpatient Leukemia Clinic is a well-oiled machine. They have the process down to a science. First, you sign-in and go have labs drawn. Then you go to have your vitals taken. Then, you wait...About an hour or two later, they call your name and you go into an exam room to go over your results with a nurse. Todd's counts were mixed. His Hemoglobin was a remarkable 10.0! (No transfusion of red blood needed), which is the highest it has been in months! His platelets however, were 2,000 the lowest I can ever remember. His potassium and magnesium were low, so he had the choice of having them infused, which would take 2 hours or he could take pills; of course, he chose the pills. He needed platelets, so we couldn't get a treatment time in the ATC or Advanced Treatment Center until 4:00 p.m.
They also informed us that the transplant team had scheduled a Pulmonary Function Test at 2:00 p.m. So, we went there first, even though we arrived early. After that, we had to sign into the ATC area. We were at least 2 hours early, but signed in hoping that we could get in sooner, but that didn't happen. They have a huge waiting area called the Sundial on the floor with reclining chairs that face large plate glass windows overlooking the valet area, couches, and tables and chairs. While waiting we met a retired preacher from Cold Springs, TX who grew up near Akron, Ohio. He was over 70 years old, had AML, and had been through 2 prior transplants, relapsing both times. At the present time, he was on DAC chemotherapy every 6 weeks. I didn't know that DAC was used as monthly treatment, but it is a hypomethylating agent, like Vidaza, which I know they use as monthly treatment until it stops working. I found this news a little upsetting. It plays on my old thinking that transplants don't work or work that often. His caregiver thought it is all about the money, insisting that patients try transplants, especially multiple times. We had agreed with this sentiment before Todd's first transplant; we felt pushed into trying it, that it was the cure-all to end all, which we shortly learned it wasn't.
We didn't get back to a room until about 4:20 p.m. One unit of platelets usually takes between 30 min- 1 hour depending on how fast they are run. While getting his transfusion, the Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator called Abby to get some general health information over the phone (can she walk up stairs, etc.). She told Abby that they don't think they will be able to see her next week either! The Coordinator said it might be in 2 weeks! We are going to get dinner and retire to the hotel.
We come back on Friday, October 28, 2016 for his next out-patient clinic appointment. This time, instead of seeing a nurse, we will go over the results with Todd's Leukemia doctor here, Dr. Christopher Benton. I have some questions to ask and I am looking forward to seeing him.
Before I go, I wanted to share this prayer that my fried Robin Chew, from my former office at Northwestern Mutual, that Todd and I plan to read and pray everyday.
