Brace would never read anything so long, but I know there are some friends and family that really want to know all the details. I write this as a therapy for myself and an update for friends and family that live out of state.
11/4/2019 Nausea / Fly to Nappa
Brace felt just plain awful on Monday. They said that is when he would really feel the chemo. He said he felt like he had all the symptoms of the flu and fever without respiratory issues. On Monday, we thought he would just die once the radiation starts. Today, Wednesday, we were told that the side effects of radiation might take a month. Wouldn't that be a blessing? They are hoping to coordinate radiation with the next round of chemo. If you are new to this, we have 3 straight days of chemo and then 16 days off.
We had two days without doctor appointments so we thought it might be the only time to see this customer in Nappa. I told him he couldn't go alone. 
I cancelled my voice students on Monday and Tuesday and off we went on the plane....
11/5/2019 More Nausea / Fly home to OC / Dinner with Steve
Brace met his customer and then took at nap and then we headed back to the airport. While at the airport, the Dental Oncologist called to see if we could change our appointment to morning. I told them it might be tight with our other appointment but we could try it.
Once we flew in, Steve Swann called. We had hoped to have him visit the house at 7pm when we arrived. He called at 6pm to confirm and asked if he could take us to dinner. I put him on hold and Brace said he would love to go to our favorite sushi place that we call Ghetto Sushi. Off we went to have dinner with Steve and then about 7:45pm he got really sleepy so we came home and put the patient to bed. I stayed up a few more hours buying lights and picking colors for the new fixer upper project in Lake Arrowhead. (Killer view and great bones!)
11/6/2019 ENT Surgeon / Dental Oncologist / Famous Lake Dentists / Feeling sick but not so bad
So we woke up early to arrive at our 8:45am UCI Dr. Armstrong, ENT Cancer Surgeon for a second opinion. We filled out all the paperwork and then waited in a patient room. At 9:50am, they said it would still be another 20 minutes before he could start with us.
Considering our first Oncology appointment lasted 2.5 hours, I can only imagine how difficult it is to estimate lengths. And because everyone is "dying", they work everyone in the calendar whether they fit or not.
So back to the patient room, we called the Dental Oncologist, Dr. Lowe, to tell them we would be late because we were waiting for the surgeon. They then told us that we couldn't see Dr. Lowe until the 15th. We told them we moved the appointment yesterday at their request and they needed to fit us in. They were having none of it. So we hung up and once Brace understood that we couldn't start radiation he was ready to jet. The surgeon's office was not happy that we were leaving, but since we knew that no surgeon so far wanted to do surgery, we figured we could wait on the second opinion.
We are coming! So we called the Dental Oncologist and told them we were leaving the surgeon right now and they needed to meet with us today. We would arrive at 10:15am rather than our 10am appointment. When we arrived Dr. Lowe greeted us and asked if we wanted any water. I don't think he was thrilled with how the office staff handled that.
He took us right in and I took out my laptop to take notes on everything he said. Highlights.....
- Once radiation starts they want him rinsing his teeth every hour with baking soda when he is awake.
- They want him brushing his teeth anytime he eats or drinks something.
- They want to clean his teeth at the dentist every 3 months.
- Prescription fluoride 6 weeks into radiation.
- Wear the teeth guard during radiation.
- He knew Robert Lake and the famous Lake dentists from USC.
I told him that we were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- He said at USC everyone knew you wanted a "Mormon" lab partner because he was honest, hardworking and would always follow-through. I thought that was so nice.
The best part he said.....
On paper your chances aren't that good, but with your faith, your neighbors, and your church support, your numbers will go up to 75%. It really makes that much of a difference. You've got great odds.
NEEDS.
- Pray that Brace can feel strong enough to work all next week when he is off chemo and only has one dr. appointment.
- Once I have paint samples, I need someone to paint poster boards with foam brushes with the different samples. Basically rectangles. I should have all the supplies on by Sunday. If you hadn't heard we bought a fixer upper in Lake Arrowhead before all this excitement started. We hope to start painting exterior on Monday but I need to know what colors.
- Family: If you have kids, have them draw pictures for Brace and send them in the mail. 28532 Chimney Rock Circle, Portola Hills, 92679
- Once radiation starts in 2 weeks, we will need drivers. Every day for seven weeks at Mission Hospital near the beautiful Cancer Center. We are hoping for a morning time. 15 minute appointment every day.
THANK YOU's
- The church congregation, friends, and family (even Blake who fasted for the first time) fasting for Brace on Sunday.
- Helping clean up the party on Sunday.
- Attending the party on Sunday.
- Calling AAA and towing the Honda to Karesh while we were in Nappa
- Prayers and fasting helping Karen keep it together. (I have felt carried this week)
- Texting Brace funny things to keep his spirits high.
- Wonderful pears and a listening ear.
- Offering to go to Costco
Port Surgery tomorrow at 6am.
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