Doctor Visit
Another depressing visit to the doctor today. The plan was for Darrel to have blood drawn and then we would have a visit with Dr. Picozzi about his test results.

His platelets were down again to the lowest point they have been. I guess they are borderline dangerous. Also, his bilirubin levels were high.

Bilirubin is a waste product of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It is excreted in bile and urine, and Darrel’s urine has been very dark orange for a long time but this was the first time his bilirubin levels were high.

These test results excluded Darrel from both studies.

The doctor went to look at the last CT scan, then came back and popped his head into the room and said he wanted Darrel to have another CT scan. Then, once the results were available we would meet with him again.

A couple of hours later, we met with the doctor. He said the CT scan did not show a blockage of the bile ducts, which is what he thought the problem might be. He indicated that both the platelet and bilirubin test results were symptoms of the disease progression.

No surprise to any of us that the cancer has continued to progress. Even though he knew we didn’t want to hear it, Dr. Picozzi suggested we wait one more week and test again.

There isn’t much to do as far as treatment goes (if he can’t get into a study) except to go back onto a chemo regimen with a twist. However, I am concerned that Darrel is not doing well enough to handle a harsh chemo treatment at this point.

What to do, what to do.

Very frustrating but it is all part of the natural progression of this awful disease.

How is Darrel Feeling?
Darrel woke up yesterday and thought he was going to have a good day. He did okay for a while, then decided to mow the lawn. He was able to get half of the back yard done before coming in to rest then he finished it up and rested again. Then he did the front and took some meds and lay on the couch and napped for a couple of hours.

We went to our friend’s house to watch the Seahawk game (thanks, Jan & Bill!) and he rallied for that. Go, Seahawks! He did not have a very restful night however.

He just got up from a nap after returning from the doctor and is now resting on the couch. He decided not to go to the Board meeting at the club so I know he isn’t feeling well. He usually will rally for anything he has to do.

Our next appointment is on Monday. I will post updates as his condition warrants.

Rave for Virginia Mason

I just wanted to say that I have been very impressed with the care at Virginia Mason so far.

When I had back surgery a few years ago, I wasn’t.

After being with Group Health for over 25 years, I know the system pretty well. There is a lot of good about GH but they are getting beat by VM in certain areas. Those that affect us, anyway.

Specifically, it amazes me that the same scheduler in Dr. Picozzi’s office can also make appointments for a CT scan, blood draw, and who knows what else. AND, they can do it right then and there. At GH, we have to call or wait for a call to get any kind of appointment.

We had to wait for about 2 hours for the CT scan but that is nothing. At GH, when the doctor tried to get us one for same day at Central he couldn’t. He managed to get us in the next day, but at Bellevue.

At Group Health, scheduling is done by multiple departments and the radiology appointments don’t even show on your online profile.

Also the lab and CT results are done amazingly fast! The labs are usually done within about a half hour or less and the CT scan was about an hour.

I am glad we have both options with our insurance coverage!