Shrinkage R Us

Hi Everyone,

We had a good day at the hospital. After blood work was finished, we went up to see the oncologist. First, however, we met with the oncologist's medical student, a very sweet and shy young man. He asked about the last few weeks and how things were going. Catherine mentioned a few of the drugs I have tried, what worked, what didn't, and we simultaneously recognized the look on his face. She was talking way over his head. She talked, he smiled. She stopped talking. (Now imagine the sound of crickets.)
Then came the exam. As I sat on the table in my lovely blue hospital gown (now, you have to imagine that with my black toque, my sunglasses and my leather jacket, I fancied myself arriving looking like an assassin - a look utterly ruined by the gown), he commented that the oncologist gave him a measuring tape but he didn't know why. Catherine filled him in. "Um, to measure the tumor." "What?" he replied. "To do what?" I have a mental snapshot of him looking at her in total disbelief and shock, an image I may have for my entire life. It is kind of incredible that with all of the technology, the machines, the complex procedures and the drugs, they still measure some tumors using a sewing tape measure. He tripped all over himself, and left to get the oncologist. Dr. Bedard took a measure and confirmed that Tito was now smaller, and I was doing great. The exam under my arm was still painful, but that could either be from swelling from the cancer or even scar tissue, and they won't know which until surgery. We then tried to help the medical student do an exam. I was highly directive because he was so tentative. Bossy even. Bedard asked if I wanted a job as practice patient for med students. Thank you, no.
My blood counts were still low, but they should be ok by Thursday, so we will go ahead with the chemo. It's an early appointment, starting at 8:30, so with the usual delays, I hope to be in by 10:30, then it's a three-hour procedure. Harry Potter is ready to go.
Love,
Kip