But I love that dirty water ( moving parts) 

First things first. Happy belated Valentine’s Team Carlson sweethearts. ❤️

My liver doctor appointment and treatment were both on 2/14 in Boston. Saint Simon made his triumphant return to driving and we left at 7:30am. It was a long day as I did not get home until 8:30 or after ( I was so tired no idea) 

First. I have a hernia now in my right groin. It poses no issue thou so I can either live with it or get surgery. We will play that by ear. My liver itself is fine. Woo hoo. The fluid build up commonly referred to as ascites is not even mild. If you happen to google ascites it’s not great on paper but i don’t have that version and no one is concerned. Moving on. 

Now on to oncology for treatment ( only bloodwork and an ekg which are all perfect). However sad news confronted me. My insurance will not cover my MA doctor to write the scrip for Tagrisso ( the second drug and first one I took when this journey started) so I have to go back to Yale for my treatment. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m back with Dr. Herbst who is the #1 doctor in thoracic oncology. I was there for 3 years but I hate change. I know I’m in good hands and the drive is 2 hours closer. Lots of positives. So Wednesday was my last trip to Boston for the foreseeable future. 

Hugs, tears, more hugs with my team up there and two assuarances 1) Dr P will serve in an advisory role moving forward and 2) I can always go back. 

So now I’m a n the process of transferring ( so far not too bad) but still don’t have Tagrisso in hand- hopefully by end of next week. 

It’s funny how a life long Fairfield County resident ( I did live in Boston for 3 years) die hard Yankees fan absolutely loves Boston! I love that dirty water, oh, Boston you’re my home!  

There was a nice catharsis ( for me) taking that drive up to Boston before test and treatments. I think some others looked forward to it too. Like Simon he was said so now I guess it’s New Haven pizza and ikea Swedish meatballs moving forward- not that I can even stomach that stuff anymore. 

Anyway, recovery was terrible last go round. I had 4 good days and 17 bad. The last 4 in bed with severe constipation. Let me tell you this, constipation is no joke. Apparently it is one of the top reasons for ER visits. Mine did not break until 11pm the night before my treatment. 

I couldn’t do anything for days. I’m taking some preemptive measures to make sure that doesn’t happen again. It was one of the worst things I’ve gone through. 

So for now we transition back to Yale. I meet with Dr. Herbst on Tuesday and hopefully I’ll keep my treatment schedule the same as MGH. 

I had more I wanted to write but I’ll make that a separate post because quite frankly I’m wiped out already. 

Thank you for all the help. Rides for kids to their sports have been crucial for us, thank you to those who help. Meals, talks, hugs, it all makes a huge difference. Thank you ❤️

Ways to help: 

https://gofund.me/30556a7d