Upon arrival to the Moffitt Cancer Center this morning, I went straight to Starbucks on the first floor. As I stood in line to order my standard venti-skinny-vanilla latte and Mom’s tall-hazelnut latte, Krista, hematology oncology PA, greeted me with a hug…a real hug… long, tight, and meaningful. Krista is always a bundle of energy and full of smiles. She immediately inquired about Dad. I actually think she was a bit puzzled to see me at the Starbucks. She probably had assumed that I would be at the inpatient section of Moffitt with Dad in the Blood & Marrow Transplant unit. Krista hadn’t heard that Dad’s transplant had been canceled. Once I brought Krista up to speed, she gave me positive words of encouragement and wanted me to tell Mom and Dad “hello” and that she is thinking of them. Krista said that if anyone deserves the transplant…it is Dad. She also said she and Dr. Sokol miss Dad’s regular emails. I got a good laugh. Dad had smartly figured out the best way to communicate with Dr. Sokol and Krista was through email. With an iPhone constantly in Dad’s hands, Dad was often an emailing machine, communicating daily with Dr. Sokol and Krista. I teased Krista saying they were probably glad to get a break from Dad’s barrage of daily emails.
Upstairs, we first met with Denise, transplant coordinator. She wanted to review what had transpired since we met with her and Dr. Ayala last month. Dad described the radiation and brentuximab vedotin treatments. He recounted the blood and platelet transfusions he received along with the neupogen shots. Dr. Ayala came in and gave Dad a thorough physical examination of his tumors and skin. The tumors on Dad’s head are nicely reduced but black and scabby. Dr. Ayala noted that Dad had “active” borders on a couple of the tumors on his head. The subcutaneous golf-ball sized tumor, near the crook of Dad’s left arm, is now gone. Overall, Dr. Ayala was pleased with the results of the radiation and brentuximab vedotion treatments. He could not discern which of the treatments or both were having the positive impact. Dr. Ayala confirmed that Dad has reached his best opportunity for a stem cell transplant. Thus, Dad is moving forward with the younger donor…19 years old, living in Germany.
The updated schedule of events:
February 11th: Repeat of some pre-transplant testing, which expired after 30 days. (CT scans of his sinuses and chest, labs, flow cytometry to check the Sézary count)- February 15th: Receive third brentuximab vedotin infusion
- February 17th: Physical evaluation of the 19 year old donor
- February 18th: Follow-up visit with Dr. Ayala
- February 19th: Removal of PICC and placement of central line catheter
- February 20th: Flush the central line catheter
- February 21st: Admission for stem cell transplant
In an ironic way, I enjoy the doctor visits with Mom and Dad. One’s true character shows during difficult times. I am constantly amazed at the sustained strength both, Mom and Dad, exhibit. Their interactions with the medical staff are always upbeat and spirited. Lots of laughter, jokes, hugs, and gratitude are vividly on display during each visit. This is irregardless of who the medical staff are…from the most educated and experienced doctor to the new, fresh-out-of-school technician. If you were to walk by the exam room, you would not suspect that we are discussing cancer and the risk of death.
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