Tales from the Lung Void

Sheryl hand-knitted a toque specifically to accommodate my modest cranium. It appears ordinary, but the wool is imbued with quantum particles from the unified field of love—a specialized weave intended to prevent brain mets. Notably, the trim is decorated to seal the field and facilitate maximum entanglement. The brain is a vital organ, certainly, but one must account for the rest of the biological enterprise. This is where the aquarium’s new exhibit comes in: the axolotls . Given their uncanny ability to regenerate lost limbs, I’ve swapped traditional psychotherapy for a series of clinical consultations with the smiling salamanders. A second opinion on regeneration

I’m seeing the respirologist on the 22nd to see if the lung fluid has finally lowered its volume or needs additional plumbing, followed by a chat with the oncologist on the 27th to see if the cancer is trying to find a clever workaround. The CT scan is on hold until March to allow the 'visual clutter' from the radiation to clear so the cameras can get a better look. I shared these updates with my AI thought partner, which offered this perspective: Based on your medical records and the provided oncology literature, Tagrisso (osimertinib) can still be effective systemically (throughout the rest of your body), even if a local mutation or resistance mechanism has developed in a specific area, such as the pleural fluid. This clinical scenario is often referred to as oligoprogression—where the cancer grows in one or a few isolated spots while remaining controlled everywhere else. At least the radiation therapy didn’t kill my sad sense of curiosity.

I just finished my final radiation fraction and will follow up with the radiation oncologist at the end of February. In other news, I dropped by the BCC cafeteria, where they’ve introduced a modified “cheese scone” with spinach.

Fresh out of a consultation with the hematologist at VGH regarding the blood clot. A fellow examined me first. I like fellows; they’re knowledgeable, thorough, and haven't yet reached the "jaded" stage of veteran specialists. The attending physician followed, radiating warmth and confidence.

The nurse in the radiation unit warned me about the side effects of taking Tylenol #3 : “Pain medications, called opioids (such as morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and Tylenol #3), may cause constipation.

8:30 AM I received a call from St. Paul’s Hospital this morning. They have scheduled me to get a pleural lung drainage catheter installed tomorrow, Tuesday, at 7:30 AM. Only thirty minutes later, they called back asking me to come in as soon as possible for an X-ray and a consultation with the lung doctor (respirologist) who will be performing the procedure.

Sheryl did the research and bought us an adjustable bed so I can be comfortable. In place of USB ports, my side of the bed features a chemo port and a lung drainage line 😹