WHAT I KNOW NOW

What do I know now scholastically? Nope, I'm not talking about brain cells (of which mine are diminishing). I'm talking about medical updates and my upcoming future.

I'll reveal what I know.

On Tuesday (the 9th) I had another dr. appt. at Cookeville Medical Center. There were so many appointments scheduled that the transport vehicles were booked. They had to take me in an ambulance. Humiliating, but better than nothing. 

Cool lovely day with more dramatic clouds than sunshine. Sweet September!

 I wasn't optimistic about my appt. The previous one was a complete disaster - - with that new rude condescending doctor.

To my shock, my regular oncologist showed up to see me! The nurses remembered me from 2023 and every one was nice.

The biggest plus was that my doctor was truly concerned about my arm. He scheduled me to have ten radiation treatments, once every day. Said most likely it will stop the bleeding (BTW, he's also head of the radiation dept.).

Finally! After five long months......some actual good news concerning my arm!!!

On the way out, we passed the ol' familiar radiation room, where I had seven weeks of radiation therapy in the summer of 2023.

I'll try to speed this up, and skip my recent clashes with the Dragon Lady (head social worker) here at Signature Health Care (and her sinister assistant).

Problems arise. I'll attempt to explain the situation - - and what I will choose.

Things are complicated.

As you probably already know, my insurance coverage for physical therapy expired the end of March. In order to stay here in Signature to get medical treatment (my back, edema, heart, etc) I had to sign up with Hospice, which pays for it.

Hospice - which doesn't endorse surgery or radiation - will drop me if I choose to get radiation therapy. Subsequently, Signature will drop me as soon as Hospice does.

Instead of taking ten days for radiation treatment, my oncologist decided to increase the dosage and only five days will be needed.

And - - Signature Health Care will let me stay here during the five day treatments.

Instead of returning here with Hospice after radiation (it's an evil possibility) I am choosing to go home. It will be very difficult with many obstacles and challenges, but I will take the risk. 

If I return here at Signature Health Care, with Hospice, I'll be forfeiting all of my freedom and facing the dire possibility that I'll never see my home again.

The radiation treatments will begin on Tuesday, the 16th.

If I return home after the radiation treatments, it will be somewhere around September 23 - - a perfect time of year. I will be able to see autumn near the forest on my property!

That's my latest update. I can't predict what will happen, but it seems to be a golden opportunity.

Jon 🧡 cautiously optimistic