Mary's Life with Apocolypse, CPA

I had three bone marrow biopsies in Idaho.  They were CT directed by radiologists who would find the exact spot, and use a tool to extract bone marrow very quickly after adding some especially funking drugs to my IV. In Utah, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, they do it by hand.  The size of the entry tool they use is bigger.  And instead of snapping in and out, they screw it into a location on my bone that they hope is a good spot with a hand tool that reminds me of a screwdriver.  They could at least spring for a Dewault and get the job done.  During my latest biopsy in November, two different PAs had to try a total of about 5 places on the bone.  My bone was so hard after the Zometa treatments, they were having a hard time penetrating the surface.  They gave me lidocaine, but that only works on the surface, and you can still feel the pressure.  Pressure is synonymous with pain in the health care industry, if you have ever seen the Brian Reagan skit on the subject, you will know wh

On November 15, 2016, I traveled to Utah to begin a week of testing that would provide information enough to begin the stem cell harvest.  That in turn would give me the stem cells I needed to start the transplant in December.  I had to get clearance from my cardiologist.  He ordered a cardiac MRI, which took two hours, at Primary Children's Hospital.  That is the only Hospital around with that special equipment.  I got to watch "Planes" the kid's movie while I went through the battery of tests around my heart and connected valves.  I have a deformed pulmonary valve that is 6 cm in diameter instead of the normal 2 cm.  But it isn't growing, so it is probably genetic and doesn't represent any type of advancing disease.  I just needed his blessing.  Dr. Hoskoppal read the MRI and met with me on November 18th.  He gave me a clean bill of health and a thumbs up. We stayed with Lori that weekend as family started to arrive for Thanksgiving.  I had some other te