Son Kerry happened to be at the Philadelphia airport in time
to see the pope board his plane Sunday night.
For the city of Philadelphia hosting the pope was, perhaps, like having
cousins visit - glad to see him come, glad to see him go. Daughter Kim and Niece Melissa and her
husband, Josh, posted pictures they will probably never have the opportunity to
get again – city streets with no cars!
We heard tales from faithful folks who were lucky enough to get at least
a glimpse of the man.
HUP did not schedule appointments for “Pope Friday” or “Pope Monday” fearing it would be difficult for patients to get in and out of the city. Jeff had the first post-pope appointment – 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. As we entered Exam Room 22, the nurse tsk-tsked, shook her head and yanked the paper on the exam table to roll out a clean section. Some of the hospital staff stayed overnight during the pope’s visit. I don’t imagine an exam table is a very good substitute for a bed.
Jeff told Nurse Heather about the death of our blood-cancer-support-group friend, Steve, who had gladly participated in HUP’s CAR-T immunotherapy trial. I commented that it is probably typical for cancer patients to find purpose in such contributions, even if they don’t benefit themselves long-term. Nurse Heather tipped her head and sadly related that some patients are angry, some don’t want to be “guinea pigs” and some don’t want to lose their hair. What a challenge for a hematology oncologist! Her perspective makes Steve’s contribution seem all the more generous.
In the realm of Too Much Information but must be mentioned if we want honesty in this journey, Jeff shocked Nurse Heather with a description of his foamy urine which requires two flushes – odd, but not a new development. We actually aren’t sure when this began but it has been months or years, maybe – sometime since BMT. Heather didn’t know what to make of it and Dr. Porter didn’t address it. The blood labs include kidney and liver function measures - all is good there. We’ll mention it to the family doctor and leave it at that.
Dr. Porter decided to keep Jeff’s dosage of Cellcept at one pill, every other day. Jeff assured Dr. Porter that it was alright with him if he needs to continue the immunosuppressant indefinitely. Since all is well, Jeff’s next visit will be in four months instead of three! And that doesn’t seem as scary as it once would have.
This appointment closes out September “Doctor Month” during which the dermatologist froze off another suspicious spot, the vein specialist prescribed shorter (knee-high) compression stockings, the urologist monitored minor ongoing issues and the dentist filled a small cavity. Strung together, this sounds like the litany of an old person, not a 56-year old. Yet to come, eye doctor (ocular migraines continue and new glasses might be in order).
Accomplished by Jeff in the last month: removed an overgrown evergreen tree and an old
holly tree from the backyard, finished a potting table on our shed, took on a
helper for the short-term (a young friend who worked with Jeff in the summers
during his high school and college years and who complements Jeff’s work style
very well), and nearly finished bathroom renovations at our church. Plus, of course, he watched the girls two
days a week.
Jeff and I said “Good-bye” to our dear dog, Giblet, after 15 years of companionship. The loss was especially difficult for Jeff who appreciated her company during his long recovery. She was an affectionate dog and we will both miss her very much.
HUP did not schedule appointments for “Pope Friday” or “Pope Monday” fearing it would be difficult for patients to get in and out of the city. Jeff had the first post-pope appointment – 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. As we entered Exam Room 22, the nurse tsk-tsked, shook her head and yanked the paper on the exam table to roll out a clean section. Some of the hospital staff stayed overnight during the pope’s visit. I don’t imagine an exam table is a very good substitute for a bed.
Jeff told Nurse Heather about the death of our blood-cancer-support-group friend, Steve, who had gladly participated in HUP’s CAR-T immunotherapy trial. I commented that it is probably typical for cancer patients to find purpose in such contributions, even if they don’t benefit themselves long-term. Nurse Heather tipped her head and sadly related that some patients are angry, some don’t want to be “guinea pigs” and some don’t want to lose their hair. What a challenge for a hematology oncologist! Her perspective makes Steve’s contribution seem all the more generous.
In the realm of Too Much Information but must be mentioned if we want honesty in this journey, Jeff shocked Nurse Heather with a description of his foamy urine which requires two flushes – odd, but not a new development. We actually aren’t sure when this began but it has been months or years, maybe – sometime since BMT. Heather didn’t know what to make of it and Dr. Porter didn’t address it. The blood labs include kidney and liver function measures - all is good there. We’ll mention it to the family doctor and leave it at that.
Dr. Porter decided to keep Jeff’s dosage of Cellcept at one pill, every other day. Jeff assured Dr. Porter that it was alright with him if he needs to continue the immunosuppressant indefinitely. Since all is well, Jeff’s next visit will be in four months instead of three! And that doesn’t seem as scary as it once would have.
This appointment closes out September “Doctor Month” during which the dermatologist froze off another suspicious spot, the vein specialist prescribed shorter (knee-high) compression stockings, the urologist monitored minor ongoing issues and the dentist filled a small cavity. Strung together, this sounds like the litany of an old person, not a 56-year old. Yet to come, eye doctor (ocular migraines continue and new glasses might be in order).
Accomplished by Jeff in the last month: removed an overgrown evergreen tree and an old
holly tree from the backyard, finished a potting table on our shed, took on a
helper for the short-term (a young friend who worked with Jeff in the summers
during his high school and college years and who complements Jeff’s work style
very well), and nearly finished bathroom renovations at our church. Plus, of course, he watched the girls two
days a week. Jeff and I said “Good-bye” to our dear dog, Giblet, after 15 years of companionship. The loss was especially difficult for Jeff who appreciated her company during his long recovery. She was an affectionate dog and we will both miss her very much.
