I’m writing to you from the cancer ward at Mass General Brigham Hospital, where my local oncologist works. I’m currently on an intense Dilaudid and Ativan hangover so this won’t be the usual thoughtful post. However, I can tell you that today is the first day I have felt better than the previous day for at least a couple weeks.
Thursday morning, after days of decline, I checked in to the hospital with extreme shortness of breath. Since then, the following things have happened:
People have drained about 3L of liquid from my right lung. Supposedly someone will come do my left lung today. I’ve had CT, MRI, Ultrasound, and X-ray scans of my body since Thursday. and a followup visit with a neurologist in the morning. Lots of new info, included a new diagnosis unrelated to the current crisis. I will save those details for later.
I have been diagnosed with pneumonia for a 5th time. The 4th course of antibiotics is currently in my bloodstream.
But the headline? I’M ON NEW CANCER DRUGS as of last night. I am really hoping they actually attack the stuff generating my symptoms. Which is probably a shift in my cancer. There are theories here but since we don’t know yet, I’d rather not run through them while also tripping balls.
I am not able to keep up with email, calls and messages for time being, but am grateful to receive them. I’ll keep you posted as best I can.