Conversation went like this:
Dr. Friend: I did a couple of your surgeries in residency. We called it a Shake 'N Bake!
Alan, laughing: So wait, mine is a Cold Brew Shake & Bake! Ya know, since they lower my body temp to 38 degrees.
Dr. Friend: hahaha, yeah sounds about right!
Me: just sitting there shaking my head at them.
So now the MOAS has a second name, Cold Brew Shake 'N Bake!
Yesterday and today have been full of appointments, while last week and Monday were full on insurance and MDA finance details.
So last week we discovered that our insurance is a grandfathered plan and doesn't allow for the "standard of care" items the trial needed covered by insurance to be covered. In fact NOTHING associated with clinical trials or experimental drugs is covered. But in order to get on the trial, Alan had to be enrolled prior to surgery which meant financial clearance had to be achieved first via insurance or cash pay. So we have spent several days working out details on that. I am so grateful to The Lord for His provision of options. Most don't have the options I do since I still own a business. For the moment we have agreed to cash pay (not that we can really afford it long term) and put down a deposit, but will be making some insurance changes come Jan 1 for Alan. Again at this point I am just grateful we have options.
My heart breaks for those that don't and for those on my current insurance plan. Cancer treatment is and will continue to need trials in order to eradicate it. Any plan that excludes standard of care during a trial is short-sighted and sentencing people like Alan to just wait around to die. This is wrong!
Sorry, off my soapbox. Yesterday was a full day of appointments. We consulted with the ostomy nurse gaining knowledge on ileostomy and colostomy. We don't know for sure yet if Alan will have to temporarily have one nor do we know which one if he does. So everything we learned is just theoretical at the moment. Next Monday night, while he is probably still be out of it, I will learn more and start figuring out what needs to be done.
After more blood work, we waited (Alan slept) on our appointment with Kevin, the anesthesia PA. Once back, it was quick and easy. We did talk more about the resection when the bag goes away (if he has to have a bag). That discussion left us with more questions for Dr. Big Sis.
With every appointment, the reality of how major this is hits. From side effects, to complications, to recovery facts, to surgery details, all show just how serious this is. Last night as we were going to bed, Alan said, had I known, I still would have done it, since treatment isn't working. But dang, if treatment was working, uh no way!
This morning's appointment was with Plastics. He will be the one to close Alan up and oversee any wounds or infections at the incision site. He explained how it is possible that with a "Shake 'N Bake" that bloating or expansion of the organs could occur and that he would be watching for that. It was funny today to hear the words Shake 'N Bake from one of the doctors on his team. He proceeded to praise Dr. Wise One and Dr. Big Sis, saying he has the easy job. He laughed when Alan said it was going to be a party in the OR.
So my burning question after meeting with Dr. Padilla. The plastics doctors on TV always have good hair. Is that a requirement in Med School? In order to go into Plastics, you must have good hair? While Dr. Padilla is obviously still young, he shall be Dr. Good Hair from this point forward.
Then as we walked away to get a snack before Dr. Big Sis's preOp, Alan had one of his wise takeaways from Dr. Good Hair. Post Op he will have "More Drains than Brains." And I joked that I am going to have to label each drain with a doctor's initial to know who to call if we have issues. His markings from radiation are now gone. His markings for the ostomy are set. So what's a little more sharpie on the body! Sorry, but if you've followed our journey at all, you know we have to find things to laugh about.
Dr. You (Big Sis) had a long day. I don't know what her morning was like but she was 3 hours late for our noon appointment. After a quick in office procedure, we went over a lot of details regarding the removal of the tumor and resection. There are so many moving parts. We have plans A, B and C based on contingencies on how surgery goes. Everything depends on the blood supply to his remaining colon. We also discussed the potential timing for the second surgery to undo the temporary bag should he require it.
We also discussed my idea of labeling the drains after she told us he would have a drain from her as well. She said she asks the interns to do that but "their interns" and often don't. She said it would be very smart and then we all joked Octopus Drain Boy!
Friday brings his Covid test and virtual meeting with the coordinator for everything. Prep for surgery on Sunday and then SURGERY DAY.
Please pray for his colon to have good blood supply and be save-able in surgery. Please also pray for the precious next 4 days - that we will have great family time and get done all we need to before surgery.
Thank you all for walking this journey with us. It's been a long year; heck, 5 plus years. Thank you for loving on us and caring. Thank you for the texts, prayers, and well EVERYTHING.
- Mel
