147. Chemo Looking for Security?

Other than one PET scan and several CT scans, I haven't had any radiation for my treatment to my knowledge.  So here's something I hadn't even considered...

One employee in possession of a Geiger counter, as a lark, used this gadget on a colleague undergoing radiation treatment and sure enough, the radiation definitely registered on it.

In another incident, a husband set off the security alarm in the airport when travelling shortly after having received a CT scan.

A cancer patient received a full body scan when going through security at a Toronto airport.  She was called aside and couldn't believe what she saw on the scanned image: her chest area and left wrist were lit up in red.  It was assumed that it was from radiation she had received on her chest and from radioactive materials used in an iv for the scan.  The perplexing thing was that the radiation had occurred almost 1 year prior.  According to a medical radiologist technician, there was no physical explanation for the radiation still being present, (something to do with half-lives, which I do not understand!), except if radioactive seeds had been implanted as part of the treatment plan, which the patient claimed they had not.

A male patient undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer states that radioactive seeds had been implanted and that it will take about 2 years for the radioactivity to be undetectable.  This man carries a special card for going through security.  Radiation may not leave your body as quickly as you may think and therefore it is advisable to have a note from your doctor on hand when you are planning to travel! 

Lastly: a few google searches mention cysts and hernias showing up on airport scans also! 😏 😄

Back within the week.  I may have news on possibly more surgery.  SanTeh!

146. Chemo April 16-23 was National Volunteer Week

 Last week was National Volunteer Week.  It is so nice to see the volunteers again in the Cancer Clinic after a long hiatus.  I can rest assured that I will not be lacking any snacks during treatment; a volunteer comes around 2 times during my 2 hour stay, with soft drinks, cookies, coffee or tea, what have you (which is probably more than during an airplane flight,  although I can not be sure because I haven't flown since 2019. 😌)

One very young volunteering person was Someone I just Have To Mention.  She was a girl about 12 years old who distributed a whole cart-full of socks, one pair to each of the 30-odd patients.  It wouldn't surprise me that she paid for it as well.  The photo speaks for itself!  Thank You Sweetie! You, and your Mom, are a Gem!

Working on some "stuff".  Possibly back tomorrow, but more likely on Friday.  SanTeh!

145. Chemo Survey Says....

A couple of weeks ago I received a survey in the mail.  It was directed from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency to patients currently undergoing treatment, me being one of them.  The idea is for us patients to "help identify strengths, areas to improve on, and patient satisfaction with recent outpatient services provided by the SCA."  I filled out the survey and put a lot of comments with and thoughts into it.  The strength, in my opinion lies mainly with some professionals who really go out of their way to provide a service, such as, for example, the surgeon who performed the right hemicolectomy on me.  He phoned me on a regular basis up to a year after the surgery to see how I was doing.  Excellent two-way communication!  Unfortunately, he does not work directly for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency but functions more on the periphery of it.  Where the services fall short and sometimes deplorably so, is where there is a break in the communication, or worse, no communication at all.  Often patients get information about their treatment, piece by piece or have to look up information themselves.  I was never given the option by my oncologist on surgery because oncologists only concern themselves with chemo or radiation treatments.  There is no integration between the different treatment options and I as a patient feel like I am often stuck in a maze having to find a way out on my own.

If you, or someone close to you, have been under the care of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and have questions, comments, concerns, you can contact me to add to my list I will be sending the SCA.  Anonymously of course.  Or you can contact the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency yourself.  Now that they are in the process of collecting info, it  would be a good time to do so.  Thank You!

In addition, browsing through the famous Mayo clinic website one time, I came across a comment from a cancer patient who received treatment there.  This person was asked for feedback on the treatment and services provided to him right after the said treatment.  No wonder that this facility has such a good reputation!  They are right "on the ball"!

Happy Easter Everyone! Back after Easter in a couple of days!

144. Chemo Back On LIne: PICC Line that is

This week the 4th CAPRINI treatment started.  The results of my bloodwork came back: it was encouraging!  The liver enzymes and CEA levels came down from last time.  They are not in the "normal" range yet by any means, but any down is good!!  I'll take it!

What is not so good, in a way, is that I had to have a PICC line inserted again because the cancer clinic nurses had difficulty locating suitable veins for the Irinotecan infusion in the previous treatments.  I am not too thrilled about the 46 cm line in my body, but shouldn't complain, because it is preferable to being poked several times.  The attending nurse was very relieved when I showed up with this contraption in my arm!  An added bonus is that I get to visit Sweet Chemo Lani every week to get it cleaned.  We can have a good visit again! 😄   (Sweet Chemo Lani in post nr. 10)

Also in the clinic yesterday, a prominent person was placed in the cubicle next to mine.  I could have kicked myself afterwards that we didn't have a chat.  I don't think I would have let slip by an opportunity like this last year!  Makes me wonder if my brain is "slipping" as well?

I have had a busy week.  Two weeks ago my left knee seized up to the point where it was extremely painful to lean on.  I ended up in Emergency where the Attending Physician drained off some fluid, which ended up being mostly blood.  Yes I had internal bleeding in my knee!  After the drainage it felt much better and I could walk a bit again.  I was promptly referred to an orthopedic surgeon who, after taking one look, stated it was getting better already and to just let it heal on it's own.  I quizzed him about what would have caused this.  He claimed this ocured because I am taking blood thinners.  But I have been on blood thinners for a long time already.  My oncologist was very interested in this "phenomenon".  We think it is a combination from being on the blood thinner and the chemo meds.  But, again, who knows? 😕