MY PROCEDURE AT THE LONDON REGIONAL CANCER CENTER TODAY.....'OH DEAR'

Another gorgeously cool sunny morning as Pheebs and slipped up to Goderich on one of our usual Jeep ride routines.  McDonalds, Harbor/Beach and a last stop at Walmart for a few items.  Home before 10, threw myself into the shower and by 11 we were southbound for the London Regional Cancer center.

NICE DRIVE TO GODERICH AND BACK THIS MORNING

I have written before about being an early bird when it comes to going anywhere for appointments, etc. and today was a good example of why I do it that way.  It wasn't the slow grain truck on highway 4 but it was the long freight train crossing London's Adelaide Street that had me glancing at my watch.  No problem, lots of time and no stress.

WE WAITED AND WAITED AND WAITED

THIS JOGGER DECIDES TO DO SOME PUSH UPS WHILE WAITING

STILL WAITING...............

KELLY RESOLVES A MINOR PARKING PASS PROBLEM

Checked into the lower level radiation department desk about 12:40 for my 1:15 appointment.  Because we were early they took me in early.  I had no idea what to expect and I prefer it that way.  I don't want to read or watch videos about upcoming procedures and I especially don't want to listen to other peoples gruesome descriptions either.  Just as I don't need to know how many miles to the gallon my vehicle gets I do not need to know how many 'ouchies' or indignities I am about to go through either.  I prefer to deal with those things as they happen and not let my mind terrorize itself before I even get there.  Okay, so what did they do today.  Warning....maybe it's time for some of you to go read a comic book now.

REGISTERING

NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE MAIN WAITING AREA AND I THINK I MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE YOUNGEST PERSON THERE TODAY

KELLY CHECKS HER PHONE FOR THE MANY MESSAGES COMING IN ABOUT THE FREEDO VANDITO

My number was called and I was led to a change room.  Everything off from the waist down.  With double hospital gowns on I was led through a door into a semi-dark room with a rather scary bed/chair like device in the very centre surrounded by other midievel looking medical Mossmagator machinery .  My mind instantly dredged up a thousand horror movies about execution chairs and torture devices.  No turning back now as I was led to the half bed device by two very pleasant nurse ladies who were as nice as nice could be.  Sat up on the edge of the bench/bed/electric chair thing then laid back while they worked away at positioning me.  They then had me raise my legs bend my knees back towards my head while they carefully placed each leg in a couple yellow and black stirrups.  I knew right away this was not going to be as trouble free as my prostate biopsy a month ago.  And I could tell from the ladies soft voices telling me not to worry and it would all be over very shortly that this wasn't going to be an easy walk in the park either.  Then I heard the word 'needles' mentioned.  Awwww Nuts'!!!  Laying there as totally exposed from the waste down (except for a couple warm blankets) I was very aware of the ghastly image I must be projecting to the staff in the room.  Never in my memory had I ever been in this position before.  The thought occurred to me of what nasty nightmares these fine ladies must go home with each day.

AND I EVEN FOUND MY OWN WAY BACK OUT OF THIS HOSPITAL HALLWAY MAZE TO THE MAIN WAITING ROOM

Doctor Menendez entered the room and came right over to talk to me and put me at ease.  When needles are mentioned my mind is never at ease.  However I have really taken a liking to this fellow and feel very comfortable with him.  He has a sense of humor.  He briefly explained the procedure then took his seat at the other end of my abdomen.  I couldn't see but I could hear him,  He told me absolutely everything he was doing as he started with a look up my rectum at the prostate.  Well he didn't actually look up there but his probe did.  Slightly uncomfortable but it hardly lasted 10 seconds.  Next came the freezing with needles in 3 separate locations into my prostate I think and yes I could certainly feel the needle pricks and freezing going in.  This lasted maybe 3 or 4 minutes.  Did it hurt?  Yes it did but it was not real bad with each needle lasting only a few brief seconds.  I didn't think it was as bad as going to the dentist many years ago.  Next came a larger slightly uncomfortable probe and I think it was this device that marked the three target areas on my prostate and injected what they called 'seeds'.  No this was not brachytherapy.  It was part of the SABR radiation treatment.  These 'seed' markers would aid the direction of the radiation beam treatments later.  Did this hurt?  Yes it did and it was much like the needle freezing.  One nurse was right beside me encouraging me to breath deep and I did exactly as they told me.  By the way during the procedure I, Dr. Menendez and the two nurses were able to get us a little humor going and I was happy I was able to kibbitz with them and get some genuine chuckles out of the ladies.  I told them this gives a whole new meaning to 'numb bum'.  Finally I heard Doctor Menendez say, 'that's it we're done'.  He came around the bed, put a hand on my shoulder, leaned in close and told me I did very well despite some of the grotesque faces I must have been making at those needle pricks.  After putting me back together down below the ladies help me up and I was surprised to see my hands shaking.  My legs felt like putty and I had only been in there maybe 20 minutes.  I was led back to the change room where I shakily put my under ware, pants and shoes back on.  They gave me a glass of water to drink for the upcoming cat scan and I found my way back to the waiting room where Kelly was.  And I must say again how fortunate I am to have Kelly come along these first couple of appointments when things are at their confusing worst.  For the treatments themselves I will likely come by myself each time and that is quite Okay.

TIM HORTONS COFFEE SHOP ONLY STEPS FROM THE RADIATION THERAPY DEPARTMENT

Waited about 40 minutes before I was called upon again to follow a lady to the Cat Scan room.  She told me about the procedure I was about to have then filled me in on a bunch of other stuff, etc.  She stretched me out on a bench then told me to pull my under ware and pants down a bit while her and another nurse painted some marker lines on me.  Well they covered me up as best as they could.  I was tempted to tell them, 'a postage stamp should do it'.  I didn't.  The bed/bench/table soon moved me into the big round donut machine and after a couple minutes it sounded like a diesel truck starting up as the machine began it's whirling whirring.  Didn't take long and I was back out of the machine.  Nurse returned to the room and said she had to now put 3 tattoo markers on me with a tattoo like needle.  Three more short needle pricks (one on each hip and one on by very low abdomen) and I was done for the day at last.  What a great bunch of people at that cancer clinic and the Cat Scan lady with her quick humorous wit was no exception.  She was even too fast for my own quick wit which I'm afraid has become quite rusty over these last years.  Just a great bunch of people at that clinic.

THEY MADE ME PULL MY PANTS PART WAY DOWN THEN SHOT ME INTO THIS MACHINE

With a Tim Horton coffee to go in my hand we headed out of the hospital to a big blue sky dotted with white puffy clouds.  It was about 3:10 and we were soon making our way home again.  Light traffic and after grabbing a Sub along the way we were soon north of London and out into the beautiful rural farmland countryside.  Ahhhhhhhh:))

LONDON TRAFFIC IS VERY DOABLE

Now, what's next?  Well the first of my 5 radiation treatments will begin September 11th and it was explained to me today what will all take place.  No mention of needles or ouchies.  But Sept. 11th is not exactly my 'next' medical appointment.  My next one will be next Thursday when I drive myself to Stratford to have my two kidney stone stents yanked out.  That is another rather embarrassing procedure which I might tell you about next week.  If your all still here that is............:))

GOT MYSELF ALL KNAPKINED UP FOR THE MESSY SUB THAT'S COMING.....DIDN'T HELP AND I WAS A MESS ANYWAY:((

OH AND HERE IT COMES NOW....NICE DELIVERY GIRL EH:))

WE ATE OUR SUBS ON THE RUN

To say we have been totally swamped with calls and people wanting to come and look at the Freedo Vandito would be putting it mildly.  It's unbelievable the calls, texts, and emails we have received.  People have been here with one offer pending and Kelly has lined up more people to see it tomorrow.  And I say Kelly for a reason....I'll maybe tell you about that later.

THE CANCER CLINIC IS ON THREE FLOORS

Okay, I gotta go lay myself down for a rest.  And I don't know why my printing font got so small!!!!

AND HIGH OVERHEAD THESE SKYLIGHTS.....OR ARE THEY JUST PLAIN LIGHTS

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man was walking in the street when he heard a voice.  "Stop!  Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you.  "The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was astonished.  He went on, and after awhile he was going to cross the road. Once again the voice shouted: "Stop! Stand still!  If you take one more step a car will run over you and you will die.  "The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him. "Where are you?" the man asked. "Who are you?"  "I am your guardian angel," the voice answered.  "Oh yeah?" the man asked. "And where the hell were you when I got married?"
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“Why was the eagle in handcuffs? The police thought he was a flight risk!”
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