Choosing a oncologist from the yellow pages, which is what Ed was planning to do here in Ft. Myers, isn't my idea of a good way to go about it. We appreciate Joan Benson, a dear friend from our condo in Ft. Lauderdale a few years back, getting us in touch with the Pat and Norman Nybert. They recommended the doctor Norman is seing. Norman also has lung cancer and is on his 4th cycle, Ed's on his 5th. Ed met with Dr. Harwin today. At first he seemed to be a bit bland but when I remembered the Nybert's name, he really perked up and turned out to be very pleasant.
Ed's white cell count is good, thanks to the neulasta shot last week, but Dr. H. said he looked pale and perhaps he was anemic. Blood tests confirmed that, sure enough, his red blood cell count is low so they gave him a shot of procreate. He'll have lab work next week and his next chemo is scheduled for February 20th. Dr. Harwin pointed out that he'll have 2 weeks for his blood count to stabilize and to feel better. This anemia could also be a reason that he feels rather draggy.
The routine at this cancer center is pretty much the same as the other 2 centers he's been to......It goes like this: Do paperwork, go back to waiting room, get weighed, take BP and blood, go back to the waiting room, see the doctor, go to the waiting room until a chair opens, or go to the chemo waiting area to get a shot or take chemo, go back to the waiting room to check out and pay, pay, pay.
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