On Thursday I was in Philly for my six month follow-up appointment with my oncologist. I had blood-work, a CT scan of my chest, and then saw my oncologist a few hours afterwards. Good news! I'm still cancer free, and my blood levels are improving. It was a good appointment. I had my questions answered, and now I feel a little bit better about how I'm recovering so far. Let me explain.
The first question I had was about the whole sterility thing. (I discussed this in my last blog post if you want to read more about that.) My oncologist at first kind of freaked out because he couldn't remember if I stored or not. I have to say that this issue was not really pushed on to me by Penn before starting chemo. If it wasn't for my mom I may have never stored a sample, and I would be in a very bad spot right now. But as far as my last analysis he told me that this does happen, and it could improve, but like everything else it's going to take time if it ever does come back. He suggested to retest in a year.
This next one I wouldn't have mentioned because I'm kind of embarrassed of it, but my mom did and I'm glad she did. It's about the issues I'm having with concentration, and I guess to put it bluntly; using my brain. I told him how I have difficulty multitasking. It takes me a longer time to do the same tasks that I used to do before cancer. And when there is pressure on me I blank out... not frequently, but pretty often. I'll be midway through a long sentence, and lose focus on what I'm saying sometimes making for a pretty awkward situation. Now his response to what I explained is that he's had a lot of his Ewing's patients experience this after getting through treatment. This made me feel better knowing that; No, I'm not going crazy, other people have this too! He further explained that there isn't really any research for well... any patients of any cancer except breast cancer regarding this issue, and in those studies it was found that it could take months to a few years for symptoms to improve. He explained to me that my treatment was significantly more intense than what they receive so there's a good chance it will take much longer for it to improve, and I may never get back to how I was before cancer. He must of said that I might never get back to how I was before cancer in three different contexts so this is something that I will need to learn to accept. This one is difficult for me. It used to be so much easier than it is now.
Those were the two main things that were discussed. It was a really long day. Traffic was horrendous on the way back home. We left around 8:30 in the morning, and didn't get back until a little after 6. I only had one class in school so that's all I missed.
Want to hear something surprising? In the past year I've had at least 50 trips down to Philly, and not once did I eat a Philly cheesesteak. I got one at a food truck while I waited for my oncology appointment, and I hate to say this, but I was a little disappointed. The bun ruined it. I expected a greasy, almost soggy bun, but the bun was chewy, and the sandwich wasn't really greasy at all. If it was in a brown bag there wouldn't have been much of a grease stain in it. It still tasted good, but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
The first question I had was about the whole sterility thing. (I discussed this in my last blog post if you want to read more about that.) My oncologist at first kind of freaked out because he couldn't remember if I stored or not. I have to say that this issue was not really pushed on to me by Penn before starting chemo. If it wasn't for my mom I may have never stored a sample, and I would be in a very bad spot right now. But as far as my last analysis he told me that this does happen, and it could improve, but like everything else it's going to take time if it ever does come back. He suggested to retest in a year.
This next one I wouldn't have mentioned because I'm kind of embarrassed of it, but my mom did and I'm glad she did. It's about the issues I'm having with concentration, and I guess to put it bluntly; using my brain. I told him how I have difficulty multitasking. It takes me a longer time to do the same tasks that I used to do before cancer. And when there is pressure on me I blank out... not frequently, but pretty often. I'll be midway through a long sentence, and lose focus on what I'm saying sometimes making for a pretty awkward situation. Now his response to what I explained is that he's had a lot of his Ewing's patients experience this after getting through treatment. This made me feel better knowing that; No, I'm not going crazy, other people have this too! He further explained that there isn't really any research for well... any patients of any cancer except breast cancer regarding this issue, and in those studies it was found that it could take months to a few years for symptoms to improve. He explained to me that my treatment was significantly more intense than what they receive so there's a good chance it will take much longer for it to improve, and I may never get back to how I was before cancer. He must of said that I might never get back to how I was before cancer in three different contexts so this is something that I will need to learn to accept. This one is difficult for me. It used to be so much easier than it is now.
Those were the two main things that were discussed. It was a really long day. Traffic was horrendous on the way back home. We left around 8:30 in the morning, and didn't get back until a little after 6. I only had one class in school so that's all I missed.
Want to hear something surprising? In the past year I've had at least 50 trips down to Philly, and not once did I eat a Philly cheesesteak. I got one at a food truck while I waited for my oncology appointment, and I hate to say this, but I was a little disappointed. The bun ruined it. I expected a greasy, almost soggy bun, but the bun was chewy, and the sandwich wasn't really greasy at all. If it was in a brown bag there wouldn't have been much of a grease stain in it. It still tasted good, but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
That clip is too funny! My mom and I both agreed that we just hit a dud of a food stand. I'm sure the next time will be much better. There was a whole lot filled with food trucks that was only a block down from the hospital. We noticed it on the way out, and we'll be sure to check that out next time for sure.
A few weeks ago my friend Steven Dotzel held a whiffleball tournament for me and my family. It was a nice day out; I wish his team won though. Thanks again guys.
Looking ahead- I see my surgeon the week of Thanksgiving to see how my arm is healing.
Last thing I want to say. This holiday season is going to be so great. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New years I won't have to deal with being so sick from chemo/surgery like last year. I can't wait!
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