PART CXVII Process of Cancer Treament

Virtual doctor's appointment

 There was a video appointment with the Ottawa surgeon Joe sees for his prostate cancer. Diagnosed in 2013, his surgery was January 2014. Post-surgery his PSA count began to rise. This was a bad thing. These were cancer cells. Since then he's been having quarterly PSA tests and then Lupron injections. It is a common treatment for prostate cancer.

 COVID had an interesting impact on healthcare. Zoom appointments were suddenly acceptable. PSA test results were available online when they were posted. It was such a relief. 

In the old days we used to have to wait a couple weeks to see the GP so he can 'interpret' the test results. It is far better to know the results ASAP.

We are up to so many appointments (PART CXVII). It is much easier doing them in here, rather than driving the 90 minutes to Ottawa, fighting people doing 20 km above the speed limit, passing, having to find parking, a meal, coping with rush hour traffic. 

Our physician specialist is terrific. He often has interns. This keeps a doctor on their toes. A real leadership role. I know I learned a lot from having student teachers. Our latest 'appointment' was a hoot. OK, embarrassing, for me. Frustrating. You know when you do something oh, say, once a year?! 

An intern appeared on the Zoom screen. Efficient, showing patience with patients, she reminded us we were muted. We've been doing this for awhile. It still gets the stress levels up. Usually I set Joe up at the dining room table on my laptop. It's easier than the iPad. I'd cleared my cache to resolve an issue. What a mistake. I couldn't log in on my laptop. 

Plan B was to log in on the iPad, but first I couldn't get the sound to work, and then the video konked out. The doctor was so patient. I kept thinking how feeble we looked! I have an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Technology!  Seriously! Joe did it by audio, the intern checked in with the doctor, came back to us and we have a plan. 

PART CXVI – Nov. 12th, quarterly Lupron injection in Perth. 

PART CXVII – Dec. 2 on Zoom. Next follow up Nov., 2025 (F-2-F), PSA tests every 6 months, not quarterly. Although, they thought we could do them annually. That was a bit worrisome to Joe.

It took awhile to wind down from that. Fortunately, we had entertainment. 

PART CXI – Bone density scan #8

🛀 BATHROOM RENO

We were ready to leave for Ottawa by 8 a.m., when we had a contractor show up. He was checking to see if he could replace our vanity. We booked him for the job, to be done Wednesday morn! YIPPEE!!!

Process of cancer treatment: Surgery, regular monitoring, quarterly PSA tests, it has been a journey. Hooray for Canadian healthcare. Our only ticket in was a health card. It costs us for parking, meals whilst on route, and gas.  

2013 <= this is when it all began.

PART I: Preparing for Consultation (Oct. 21)

PART II: Cancer Assessment Centre (Oct. 22)

PART III: Tests, reading materials
PART IV: Bone Density Scan #1 (Oct. 31)

PART V: MRI #1 (Nov. 5)

PART VI: CT Scan #1 (Nov. 9)

PART VII Test Results (Nov. 15)

PART VIII: Back to the surgeon  (Nov. 25)

It was time for another medical trip into Ottawa. Most of our treatments and tests have been in our health unit lately. Apparently, Smiths Falls hospital, much nearer to us, has a 1-year wait for bone scan density appointments. It is crucial to keep track of Joseph Brian's bone density. As once prostate cancer progresses, prostate cancer tends to go to the bones. This is one tool to let us know what is or isn't happening. 

We tried to relax as the snow began to fall. We headed out around 10:30, arriving by 12:00. Still snowing.  The ground is still quite warm, and the snow isn't sticking. We drove through blizzards, but we made it. 

I dropped Joseph off and went to find a parking spot. I had to park at the end of this row, into a snowbank. I took a photo to remind me where I parked!

Indoors we went. Almost everyone was wearing a mask. There was a form to fill in. They have to ensure that people having the test aren't pregnant, etc.!

There are plexiglass dividers between each of the chairs.

He wears sweatpants and running shoes, as you cannot have any metal on you. This is a photo from Wiki.

We were in and out by 12:15, and back on the road. Ottawa Post Office:

The 'new' bridge! 

This was an interesting spot. When we drove along here last they were tearing down trees to build. I know I wrote about it, with photos, but cannot find them. 

Across the highway from the development... Good fences make good neighbours!

The pub in North Gower was packed at 1:20. On a Monday. 

It had stopped snowing, but most of it melted on the ground.

By 2:00 we'd made it to Smiths Falls. On the road since 10:30, my stomach was growling. This contractor truck cheered us up! It was covered in lights. 

We picked up pizza (me) and chicken nuggets (him), wine (me), and headed home to eat. My tummy was grumbling. It was so good to be home. By 4, the sunset was solace. We were rather tired.

Our feet up, we watched parts 3 and 4 of our newest series: Agathe Koltès. Set in Brittany, it is the best way to travel. It is in French, with English subtitles. My French vocabulary is coming back some. 

The process of cancer treatment – PART CVIII

We had to go into the city for JB's quarterly treatment. The other 3 treatments are done here in Perth, a happy effect of COVID protocols. 

It poured all morning, then the clouds moved away. Happily.

 We left the house at 12:45

, arriving at the kid's house in an hour. I'd bought a tap, which had the handle on the wrong side. JL took it home to undo the nut for me. They'd left it for us, and the deed was done! It added to the trip, but was worth it. Both of us got out of the car and stretched a bit. 

From there we motored on to the Ottawa General Hospital. Man, I've not forgotten city driving, I did fairly well. I learned to drive in downtown Toronto, where I lived. You have to be so assertive in the city.  (I did vent about a driver doing exactly 6 km and hour UNDER the speed limit.) People were frantically passing them. 

I dropped JB off at the hospital at 2:15, he grabbed his mask, and needle. I returned to the park where I waited. There are several people who do this, I've noticed. Why go in the hospital, when I can sit in the fresh air? 

The first thing I tried was a selfie, to let Caitlin know we'd arrived. You can see the puddles that remained. It was cold and windy, but lovely in the car in the sun. I began fooling around with the phone. I accidentally began sending an SOS. Whoopsie!

There were dog walkers to watch. That was fun.

I tried a panoramic image, which failed. I did manage a video of the doggies. You can see my thumb. It is a learning curve. Old dog new tricks! 🦮

         

dog walkers from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I amused myself listening to the radio. Then decided to play with my phone some more. I managed to capture an eagle and a plane. The blue skies were wonderful. Archive photo for fun! I should have brought the zoom lens. I've often found birds here.

Time passed. By 3:30 p.m. I was getting worried. They've been faster (and slower) in the past, these appointments.

Eventually he returned. They didn't realize that he'd brought his needle for the injection, as has been the case, and after reports being taken by the intern, they found a nurse to jab him. The doctor said that he could continue to have his needles with our GP in Perth, and then do a Zoom interview once a year. He has, they estimated, another 5 years when the Lupron will continue to work. 

I set Gillian GPS for our stop, the restaurant, and then for home.

We stopped at Swan on the Rideau for an early dinner, 4:00. Only 6 men at the bar. We were tired and hungry. We couldn't sit in our usual sun room off the bar, as they were expecting poets at 6 p.m. We were anxious to eat and get home. 

The woman who sat us ignored us for 5 minutes. I could see her chatting to the new staff as the shift was changing. She happily served the men at the bar, but she didn't even come over for our drink order. JB checked his watch, and said to give her 5 minutes. She came in the nick of time. I would have been happy to toodle on to Smiths Falls for fast food.

We ordered hamburgers, a safe bet. JB said no cheese for him. I asserted no dairy. She returned, and had forgotten our order. She was reminded and, she said, no cheese. Our water and wine arrived, placed on the table a new server. Our order came, delivered by said server. His hamburger had brie on the hamburger. She took it back. He ate his salad, I dug in. It came back shortly.

Service was less than stellar. We won't go back. It's not as if they didn't expect people. There were reservations at 5 of the tables, for large groups. There were 4 servers behind the bar area.

This is the bridge which took us towards home. By now it was 4:51. I was having stomach cramps. Not good. They lasted 24 hours.

The marina:

I'd had a glass of wine with dinner. JB was able to drive us home from here, a good halfway point. Long, straight roads, where speedy people can pass. Driving through North Gower, you could see sprouts growing in the fields.

Our world is changing for the better. JB noticed a board at the hospital explaining pronoun protocols. I checked the hospital website, and staff wear badges that state theirs. You need not guess, and you can have your pronouns respected. It's a good read: A few words make a big difference: A guide to personal pronouns. 

I had some great conversations with our gr. 8 and 10 granddaughters on the weekend. People are more likely to be accepted for who they are. Some students are identifying as they/them, with the self-esteem to correct staff.  'Gay' is no longer a slur at their school, as it was when my kids were in school, when I was a teacher. That takes self-advocacy, and I am really impressed with their generation. Yes, there are pockets of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, but there have been improvements.

Happy doggie in Smiths Falls:

We arrived home at 6:45, and rested. I was watching the temperature, and it kept falling. By 5˚ C. I brought in my baskets. They are doing really well, all things considered. I popped them out in the morning warmth.

We were so happy to be home. The next meeting will be online. The next injection in 3 months in Perth.

Thursday morning I was awake at 6:15, for no reason at all. JB slept in until 8:30, but went back for a nap at 10:30. It really is draining, these marathons. 

I was glad I'd brought the planters in! 

Oregano cat and the magic stick

 I've taken in all your comments about our visitor, 😼Oregano <= I've tracked my sightings of him there. Having two tabbies, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, it is funny seeing him on the trailcams. I agree he is a healthy (intact) cat, and likely has a home. I tried feeding him when he first showed up in January, 2021. I put out cat food, which he quite enjoyed. It began to freeze. (The raccoons were sleeping by then, so I wasn't feeding them.) I put the heated cat house out, but he wasn't interested in it. Then I cleverly put the food in the heated cat house, which prevented it from freezing. 

I think I've only seen him once in the daytime, and found this video on my computer. Most of our 'wild' critters don't come around in the daytime. They know to avoid humans. This is from 7/6/21.

Oregano from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

My frogpond trailcam is doing its best. You get what you pay for!

 

Clover & pumpkin from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Cinnamon begs to go out in the predawn. This is when he is most vocal. He knows 'walkies,' as a cue word. They seem to know 'out,' and 'Muskoka Room' as well. JB is teaching Nutmeg 'treat.'

They both went out for an hour in the -7 C. dark, looking for mice friends. No birds in the dark! They hustled back in, quick and sprightly. It was chilly. We let them out into the Muskoka Room for fresh air. They like watch the leaves blowing in the wind across the snow.

 

cinnamon meows from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I went for a walk in the forest. This was the strangest thing! This stick was apparently swaying in midair. 

 

magic stick from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

🌬Monday was really windy. It seemed to increase over the afternoon. I was going to go out and pick things up and tie them down, but I thought I'd best wait. The wind wasn't letting up. JB agreed. Baby bear fell over! I retied them to the railing yesterday, putting them up on the bench. Now we can see them through the window at night. I ought to cover the bench. Something bright red would be fun. The snow does pile up on it, then melts. It was a lovely time putting out some new Christmas decorations. 

A package of greens from the grocery store, and made myself a pretty planter. It requires tweaking, but the soil is frozen! This half barrel is on its last legs. The bottom is rotten. It's going to be decommissioned in the spring!

I took Daisy's Christmas tree down to the driveway. This is the one she kept chewing, until she burned her tongue and couldn't eat or drink. That was a lovely adventure figuring it out at the vet.

Managing prostate cancer

📱We had a phone appointment with the surgeon Monday afternoon. All is going as predicted. A Bone Mass Density test will be scheduled in Ottawa. (Our local hospital has a one-year waiting list.) The surgeon is in Ottawa. JB's been having injections here in town with the GP. Sadly, as of Dec. 1st, OHIP won't let doctors bill for phone calls anymore. For a 5 minute conversation, it saves us driving an hour and a half into the city, parking, figuring out how to manage meals, and gas costs. It is discouraging. But we are still smiling!