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exploring Pittsburgh

I began my quarterly oncology appointments with Dr. Villaruz at UPMC two years ago. They are now becoming more routine and less anxiety-inducing. I slept well the nights before my CT scan and the appointment. At my appointment on Thursday, Dr. Villaruz said my scans still look stable! The small nodules she has been monitoring have not grown. She showed us the scans from August 2022 and now. Then, my lungs looked like they were draped with cobwebs. They were mostly white (on lung scans, black/clear = good and white/cloudy = bad). She said, "Frankly, they looked terrible." Now they are mostly clear, with some scarring and nodules. I can certainly feel this difference in my daily lung function, but the visual contrast was striking evidence of Tagrisso working its magic.

One thing I haven't yet described in this blog is a typical CT scan and oncology visit. Before the CT scan at the local hospital, they put in an IV for the contrast (an iodine-based liquid that makes you feel warm and like you have to pee). This time, they had to try twice to find a vein. It was painful. The CT scan takes 10 minutes or so. I now try to schedule the scan a day or two before my oncology appointment so that I'm less tempted to read the report and freak out.

The day of my oncology appointment, we leave around 8:30am and catch up on This American Life, Ezra Klein, and other podcasts on the drive. We arrive at the EV charging station around 11-11:15 and have an early lunch at Choolah (delish Indian fast food) while the car is charging. (The Hillman Cancer Center garage has a few charging ports, but they are reserved for specific doctors. Grrr.) A few times, we've met up with friends for lunch. 

My blood work appointment is at noon. They usually find a vein on the first attempt, thankfully. This time, they used a lime green bandage, a color I'd never seen before. I asked the phlebotomist whether it was in honor of Brat Summer (if you're not familiar with this meme, start the video at about 5:30). He jokingly agreed. (When I later relayed this conversation to Lily, she said she wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or proud. LOL)

We then wait up to an hour to see Dr. Villaruz and meet for about 15 minutes. Until yesterday, we had always left immediately afterward to drive home. But since Lily isn't in school and the semester hasn't started yet, we made plans to stay and explore Pittsburgh. We went to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a first for both of us. 

Chihuly in the background

more Chihulys (or is it Chihulies?)




After checking into our historic inn in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood, we got drinks at an Irish pub and then takeout from a Caribbean place. 

love the row houses in this neighborhood

Shout-out to our neighbor/Lily's adopted grandma who transported Lily to/from 2 volleyball practices while we were gone! It takes a village to have a parents' day and night out. 


Comments

  1. David PostAugust 17, 2024 at 4:11 PM

    We hope to host you next time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther PrinsAugust 17, 2024 at 4:30 PM

      Thanks, David. I'm sorry we missed you! We'll be back in Nov. and then Feb. for vball and UPMC.

      Delete

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