karenulijohn

Believe it or not, Harvey has had four chemotherapy treatments with only three more to go, and still no adverse effects!   Tuesday morning began with a phone call from Dr. Suhag’s nurse Mitzi telling us that while Harvey would still be receiving his treatment that day, he would have to begin a series of three injections of Neupogen because his white blood cell count was very low.  Of course, we had no idea what Neupogen was or would do, so I did a little research.  We discovered that it is a drug that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in the bone marrow, but it also has some significant side effects, so we thought.  Later in the morning, we had a chance to ask Dr. Suhag about this drug and its possible downside.  He turned slowly, looked down over his glasses at me and said, “Dr. Google I presume?”  I was rumbled!  He then brought out his iPhone and looked up a cartoon he said he keeps just for patients like us.  It depicted a Minion with the caption, “I went from a mild headache to being clinically dead in three clicks!”  He went on to elaborate that most patients on chemotherapy have low blood counts at some point, and this drug is given all of the time with few if any difficulties.  The worst Harvey could expect was some aching in his hips and back.  The worst part is actually turning out to be the extra trip to Roseville for the injection.  On Wednesday, his injection appointment was at 9:00 AM and his radiation appointment was at 12:00 PM.  On Friday, radiation at 12:30 PM and injection at 5:00 PM.

Dr. Suhag also mentioned that he had presented Harvey’s case to the Tumor Board at the hospital. This group, which includes surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and interested parties,  meets every Wednesday to review various cases and discuss test results and treatment protocols.  He said Harvey’s case was interesting because of his previous bout with Melanoma and the Yervoy study in which he participated.  All in attendance agreed that Harvey’s plan of treatment is the right one.

As we were winding up our appointment, Dr. Suhag asked what was next for us.  Of course, Harvey was going on to Radiation Oncology, and I mentioned that I was having an X Ray of my left foot.  He swung around and asked what was wrong with my foot.  I told him about the painful bump on the sole right below the ball.  “Let me look at it,” he said.  I couldn’t believe it.  He actually examined my foot and said that the bump was probably Morton’s Neuroma, which is a swollen or thickened nerve.  He suggested I wear orthotics, and get a soft pad to cushion that area of my foot.  We love Dr. Suhag!