Saw Dr. Salim

Yesterday I was a jittery bundle of nerves and decided to phone my Social Worker at the Cancer Clinic. I said I was concerned about delaying chemo, and wanting my CT results, and my tongue was coated in white and very sore. She pounced into action, went directly to my nurse and relayed my concerns. My nurse spoke with Dr. Salim and called me back. They sent a script for a mouth rinse to my pharmacy that mom and dad picked up right away. She asked if I wanted an appointment with him Tueday (today) at 8:45 am. Of course, yes!

James took me to the clinic and mom and dad stayed with Justin. I had a different nurse who was very concerned about my shortness of breath when walking. This was the first time anyone had checked my oxygen saturation at the clinic (they could never find the machine). It was 91% at rest, but I know it's worse when walking. She also asked more questions and seemed thorough. God knows I needed someone like her today. She sent me for a chest x-ray to rule out other causes for short breath (fluid). I was given a wheelchair for James to push me to x-ray and thankfully he didn't crash me into a wall. I told James I could really get back into shopping if I had a wheelchair; he said that's why I won't get one.

Dr. Salim said my CT scan results were no worse or better than the last one. The good news is it's not getting larger. He noticed some shrinkage in smaller spots and said I was "stable". He wanted to compare today's x-ray with my last one. Of course it was taken at a different lab and had to be couriered over. He said we could wait until he reviewed both or go home. I was literally wiped out by then and chose to go home. He also gave me some codeine to help with mouth pain and ease my coughing. He reminded me that he was doing his best and so was I, and we're not done.

Chemo will have to wait until next week as he wants my mouth to have a chance to heal. Even a small infection during chemo could lead to a big mess. If my mouth would have been okay he was willing to send me to Saskatoon for this week (if possible). I would have been so excited to go back there and see Dr. El Gayed and that crew again. I still find the care in Saskatoon was extra special and more thorough (sorry Regina). Although Dr. Salim has his moments where I have complete confidence and trust in him ( and he's pretty funny too).

What a relief to have some answers. The anxiety of the last few days has lifted and I had a great nap when I got home. Dr. Salim reminded me that extreme fatigue is common with someone who gets the "heavy duty" meds like me. I would have loved him to say there was 50% shrinkage, but it is what it is. The lovely mouth rinse and codeine he gave me are easing my pain and decreasing my cough. I always had faith in meds and no wonder I was such a pill pusher at the nursing home (I used to take 15 minutes to help an old girl take her stool softener liquid and her pain reliever). I'm so glad I phoned in when I did. My Social Worker is amazing and I thank her continually for her help. So don't sit at home suffering next time, a phone call is all it takes to get the ball rolling.

Exciting day for me (because I left the house!). It's weird how I always feel better when I'm at the hospital. I guess it reminds me of work and work was family for me in Broadview (patients and co-workers). It just feels comfortable to me. I imagine that some day I'll be the nurse standing in line for coffee (make mine decaf).

Thanks for the love and prayers!