Monday -
The oncologist's office called to see what we had decided about the Cetuximab,
an immunological drug that is used in conjunction with radiation to augment the
effectiveness; Cindy has decided to have this treatment. There will be three or four doses which take
about an hour each to infuse. It has its
own set of side effects but seems a good choice.
Cindy had an appointment with
Anneke, an oncology social worker basically concerned with the patient's
physical, social and psychic support during the treatment. She seemed satisfied that, for the moment,
Cindy was not stressed by the upcoming treatment nor lacking in support. As befits a social worker, she was chatty and
we talked about her Dutch first name and Boer Dutch last name, results of her birth
during her parent's assignment in the Netherlands and her husband's South
African heritage. Her kids have not been
similarly blessed.
We were asked to stop down to the
radiation shop after the appointment with Anneke to see Elaine, who seems to be
the patient support nurse there. She
wanted to talk about nutrition and eating problems, and referred Cindy to
Swati, a nutritionist.
Thursday - When we called Swati, she
seemed slightly puzzled about what she could do for Cindy now but gamely made
an appointment. We were again confused
in finding our way about the three sections of the Reston Hospital, but managed
to find Registration. Unlike the
appointments with such weighty and ominous groups like radiation and oncology,
registering for a nutrition session took a 15 minute paperwork drill complete
with creating the ID wristlet (which Cindy declined wearing).
Anyway, we talked with Swati about
nutrition matters and she gave Cindy a couple of high protein drink sample
bottles (she had a surplus anyway). She
seemed impressed with Cindy's recent healthful meals (your humble correspondent
was appropriately modest). She
encouraged Cindy to return if she had trouble eating.
Friday - The caller (Cindy/Cynthia)
said she was a "case manager" and wanted to talk with Lucinda. One worried about a scam, carefully answered and waited for the request
for the SSN and bank account number. She
was from Blue Cross and wanted to help (suspicion not abated). However, she seemed genuine and had been
prompted by the oncologist's request for approval of Cetuximab. She was knowledgeable and went through her
list of questions,including whether there were plans for a "GT"
(gastrostomy tube) to feed Cindy. We
hoped not. She's sending some material
on coping with radiation treatment, gave us her direct line and asked that we
call if we had any concerns. We were
stunned that Blue Cross was so proactive and are uneasy with implications of
all these separate health entities contacting Cindy with concerns about the
side effects of the treatment.