The original plan for this week was for Dad to complete his TSEB (total skin electron beam; aka the rotisserie) therapy.
Monday, January 18th: No appointments on Monday, January 18th, due to the U.S. Holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tuesday, January 19th: Dad met with Dr. Montejo, radiation oncology, to discuss his progress and to share with Dr. Montejo that his legs were quite red, tender, and slightly fragile. Dad had easily nicked his leg and had an open wound. Dad and Dr. Montejo discussed whether the tender, red state of his legs were due to the radiation or the disease. Dr. Montejo did not think it was due to the radiation treatments, but Dr. Montejo took a photo and sent it via email to Dr. Glass, cutaneous oncology, seeking his opinion. Dr. Montejo was pleased with Dad’s response to the radiation therapy overall. He said that Dad is “looking good.” Dad received his fifth of eight planned TSEB treatments that afternoon.
Wednesday, January 20th: Dad met with Dr. Montejo again to discuss Dr. Glass’ feedback on his legs. Dr. Glass seemed to think it could be due to the disease or the radiation. Dr. Montejo made the decision to pause Dad’s remaining TSEB treatments until next Monday.
Thursday, January 21st: Dad received a call from the Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) in the morning asking Dad to come in for a blood transfusion (for red blood cells). Dad received one bag of blood.
Friday, January 22nd: Dad returned to MIP for a second bag of blood (for red blood cells). The nick on Dad’s leg is healing and has now scabbed over. His platelets are doing their job!
Dad has not been going to the gym as he intended, but he is walking more. Unlike those buried in snow along the East Coast of the U.S., Mom and Dad are getting outdoors and enjoying walks through the neighborhood. The weather in Tampa is lovely this time of year with highs in the 60s.
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