Yesterday's trip tp Philadelphia

Well, the day was long...made even longer by the fact that the doctor was called into surgery which pushed our appointment way back. But it was well worth the wait.

I found the Dr. Nasta was competent, honest, compassionate, and I suspect even has a sense of humor. All things I found missing in Dr. Ehmann.

The treatment in Philadelphia complicates things a little for us in terms of additional expenses. We'll probably have to get a hotel room for the 4 day collection procedure, and we have to pay for parking at the hospital which is also pricey. (my sister had a few suggestions on the parking, which I will and already started to look into, but no solutions so far, and I am not comfortable being stranded there without my car.)

the trip into the city isn't bad in terms of the city driving because you are entering from what I consider the back side of Phila and the actual drive in the city is only about 5 minutes. Of course there are the road closure and detours....and Based on the traffic we had leaving...rush hour is not going to be pleasant.
IF PA had bothered to finish their public transit lines out to Allentown or Bethlehem, things would be easier with driving 1/2 way then taking the train in, but where I can pick up the train from is 12 miles outside the city. Then I'd still have to take a cab to the hospital lugging all of Bri's stuff...

But hey, those are only monetary issues. The treatment issues are the important ones and they are resolved and underway. With very little time lost in comparison.
Brian will go into Lehigh on Monday for another round of ICE chemotherapy. Then he will start the neupogen injections at home for 2 weeks, then he will go into U of P 7/6-7/10 for stem cell collection and to have the hickman catherter placement. Then he will come home and rest up and be admitted around the 19-21st to have the transplant.
About two weeks behind Hershey's schedule but at a much higher rated hospital with a doctor that seems to have it together a great deal more. And instead of being resentful and displeased that the patient has an informed support team, Dr. Nasta appreciates an informed support team and I suspect will be come an important part of it. Brian is significantly more comfortable with her as well. He felt like she saw him as a person, not an ends to a means. Perhaps this is why U of P is rated 10th this year and Hershey not even in the top 100.....hum...patient care certainly does play a role.
will update calender soon...