Took half an hour, but I think it was worth it.

Hell yeah, it was worth it!

I'm glad Symptoms Management Doctors are a thing (although it's unfortunate that they're needed).

I broke some wee plastic thingy off my coffee maker Wednesday night, and rendered it unusable. I ordered a new one that looks like it might use my old carafe, as it would be nice to be able to have one in the washing machine and one awaiting the morning brew. But it's going to be Sunday before it arrives. Until then I'm using my French press. A process that is charming on a lazy Saturday morning is less so early on a work day when I'm too rushed and sleep deprived to be pouring boiling water around. Still, as life woes go, it's pretty minimal.

Symptoms Management Doctor

At our first meeting, my oncologist introduced herself as "...and a palliative care specialist." It was quite a shock, because the only context I had for the term "palliative care" was hospice. I remember thinking, "I didn't think it was that bad!" and desperately tried to keep my expression neutral. I have since learned the distinction between palliative care and hospice care.

My team at the cancer center is the oncologist, the PA, their coordinating nurse, the clinical trial coordinator, and the scheduler. It has been amazing (and reassuring) to see how smoothly they all work together. The coordinating nurse is effectively the master sergeant -- whatever needs to happen, she sees it gets done.

I'm glad Symptoms Management Doctors are a thing (although it's unfortunate that they're needed).

Yup, this.

Way to go, Todd! That is no mean feat, navigating those waters. My dad had to get his congresscritter involved to get his straightened out back when he was first eligible. Congrats!

I ran out of instant coffee this morning and I haven't decided how I'm going to deal with the whole caffeine intake question. The days I go into the office I drink their coffee, and many days I forget to have any coffee, so it's not an urgent question. I may be entirely out of foodstuffs, though (other than my emergency protein shakes) so there probably ought to be grocery shopping in my near future.

Meara, here's a book to look out for in 2024: [link]

Thanks Sue that’s perfect!

"...and a palliative care specialist."

I had the exact same quiet freakout, dcp. Maybe they should hand out a vocabulary sheet at check-in!

Yup. My dad too, a few years back at the VA. They throw that word around way too casually given how vaguely understood it is.

Timelies all!

We had another home visit with Mr. S. It was a little shorter, as we went to the Gaithersburg Book Festival in the morning, then drove up after lunch to get him. No running off this time, but we still have a lot of difficulty getting him to go to bed. I just don't know what his issue is with bedtime...

I never looked forward to it, either, but I had a little brother to get in stupid fights with(and limited capacity to bolt) so it's different.