Hello one and all,

    Karen had her second chemotherapy treatment of Taxol yesterday (04/25).  Her blood results were well within the acceptable ranges so the treatment went ahead as scheduled.  Karen is delighted that the only medication she receives is the pre-meds prior to the chemo and the monthly Xgeva shot.  Karen is not experiencing any side effects from the chemo but she still has the neuropathy in her fingertips and the balls of her feet.  Karen is happy with the fact that the chemo session is only an hour and a half long. 
    As of today, the oncology department where Karen receives her treatments and shots will become part of the Sutter Hospital Medical Group.  As such, the nurses and other staff members will be undergoing some orientation and training.  Although the staff members are reassuring the patients that there will be minimal disruption during this transition period, Karen was told that her second set of chemo and shot appointments will be scheduled but they, the nurses, could not do it yet.  Additionally, Karen will have to go in the day before her chemo treatment to have the blood drawn because the blood tests must be conducted by the hospital.  In the past, the blood samples/results were completed in the oncology department and the patient had the information within 5 minutes.  If Karen has her blood drawn on the day of the chemo, the nurse explained to Karen that there was a possibility of waiting 2 hours before her blood results could be completed and before the chemo could be administered.  Oh well, hopefully the hospital will get their act together, but it sure seems that some bureaucracy has mandated this takeover.  Even though Karen was under the influence of Benadryl and has only a half a brain cell to comprehend ("Scooby-Doo" look) what the nurse was telling her, it appeared to Karen that the oncology department went from highly efficient to a bureaucratic nightmare.  Only time will tell the story on this transition. 
   Anyhow, Karen, her mom and all of the family want to thank you for keeping them in your prayers and thoughts and for reading this blog.

Tip of the blog: Remember, when you have angelic friends, you are never alone.