An early departure to Chicago yesterday as a busy schedule awaited. The usual, bloodwork was first on tap without hitch and as it turned out, all is fine.

Her CT scan with contrast dye was another story. First, a little background, six months ago Suzanne had a minor reaction to this CT, some facial skin rosie appearance. At that time, we weren’t sure what caused the reaction, the CT or the infusion. Then, three months ago, she had a much bigger reaction. Uneasiness, more than just rosie cheeks, watery and swelling around the eyes, and some itching. It was determined that she was becoming allergic to the CT dye, a common occurrence. So to counter that, she was prescribed a steroid which had to be taken at intervals prior the CT, one at 2:30 am which was fun going back to sleep knowing we had to wake in a couple of hours.

When she arrived for the CT, she was informed by the receptionists that they couldn’t do that procedure in the outpatient department due to potential risks. So on the phone I was to our PATHway liaison to let them battle it out. Radiology won and the CT was performed without the contrast this time.

Meeting with her oncologist, he was very pleased with her progress. The official reading of the CT hadn’t been posted yet but he indicated that he didn’t see anything new and would contact us if otherwise. We had some discussion about the PATHway trial and how success for the drug was determined. We also learned that the intent of Immunotherapy, if it works, was hopefully a lifelong immunity to this cancer; something we didn’t realize.

After that, it was our typical wait for infusion to text us they are ready. During my dash to pick up a Subway for lunch, Suzanne was approached by her former speech / swallowing Dr about a current patient he has that is about to go through the same journey Suzanne is on. Knowing that Suzanne would care, he asked if he could give Suzanne’s number to the patient if she was so inclined to call. Of course, Suzanne was open to the idea, sharing with me on the ride home that “if God put me here to help others face this, I’m ready to do his work”.

On the road home by 1:00 pm, the windy ride got back around 3:15 pm. This leaves Suzanne with three more trial infusions at which time the two-year monitoring phase begins.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

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