WARP SPEED

March 3, 2025

Well, when things happen they happen fast, or at least in this case they are. I saw Dr. Z just on this past Monday. On Wednesday the hospital called me to schedule my port installation. The next day, Dr. Z’s office called to schedule my teaching appointment. And yesterday, the infusion center called to schedule my first treatment of the immunotherapy. A few hours later, someone from the hospital called again to pre-register me for the port and the infusion.

So, this Thursday, March 6, I’ll be going to the hospital to get the port. This means a long 4 to 6 hour day there. The prcedure takes approximately an hour, but of course there will be the early part where I go in and get set up on various monitors, and then most likely a lot of hurry up and wait. The procedure means twilight sedation, so I expect they’ll keep me a while afterward to monitor how I am doing. I’ve been doing some research on getting a port, and it looks like it will be placed either on my chest or my arm. It’s under the skin, so once the spot heals, it’s not like it sticks out or gets in the way. They have to place it where they can access a large vein, so the meds get into the blood stream easily.

The teaching appointment with Nurse Laura at Dr. Z’s office will be on the Monday following the port placement. That’s March 10. I’m thinking of bringing one of my devices to record the appointment. There are so many potential side effects, and a number of things I’m supposed to call the office if they occur.

The first infusion is on March 13. This first one will take approximately two hours. They said after that it will be about 90 minutes. They told me I’ll be enthroned on a comfortable recliner. I can have one person with me, and I can bring devices, books, whatever I need to pass the time. I practically had a panic attack after the call to schedule this appointment. I had the beginning of symptoms. I felt my heartbeat speed up a bit. I felt myself starting to pant. I was alternating between cold and warm. In an attempt to run away and revert to childhood, I guess, I went to my bedroom, got in bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. The dogs joined me there, and I got my book player. Curled up with my back against my dog Shani, I stayed there for about three hours and read, calming myself down and trying to forget.

That’s about it for this time. I’ll update as I can. I’ll update after the port insertion for sure, though that will likely be the next day or so. Warp factor 10, Mr. Scott!