Since this forum has given me so much, I thought I would try to give back and help the next newbie. The following is my Day 1 CK Prep log:
I had my consult with Dr. Chang by telephone the week of January 9, 2012. As a result of all other consults and extensive research, I already had strong leanings to CK. Unless a received a curve ball from Dr. Chang, I was going for CK at Stanford with he nd his team. Since my kids had a short week of school and my wife insisted (she's a keeper) that the whole family attend and I had strong feelings of having CK not later than about a month out to prevent the remote possibility of rapid AN growth and, thus, being unable to have CK, I determined the likelihood of Stanford taking me the week of January 16. It was a go, but, since Monday was MLK day, we had to put the CK simulation on the day of other tests and consults, which turned out to be fine.
First, I Had an IV placed for contrast for an updated MRI and was put in an MRI for a recent view of my right-sided AN. It was only about 10 minutes because my local MRI was taken in early December.
I then reported for a consult with Dr. Gibbs (Dr. Chang's teammember Oncologist). I was interviewed by her Resident first. I presented him with my two audiograms. When I met with Dr. Gibbs, she discussed the process with me and answered several of mine and my wife's questions. I felt that she was the most knowledgeable Oncologist I had discussed my condition with to this point (I had consulted with two local CK center Oncologists). She was also very personable and patient.
I then went to the CT scan area where I received a new IV (side of my left wrist) for iodine contrast. The CT scan was used to create the high resolution images necessary for my treatment plan.
A couple of hours later, I had my in-person consultation with Dr. Chang. he has always been very affable, patient and willing to answer my Tolstoy-length questions. On this occasion my questions were shorter to cover only the questions I had failed to ask originally.
Tomorrow, was the first CK treatment. Stay tuned...
